Marine

Surveying in Subarea 6a

February 25, 2019 by No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Directorate Surveys, Research Vessel Surveys, Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths_STEM

Survey: MRV Scotia Programme 0319S

Duration: 17 February – 11 March 2019

Fishing Gear: GOV (Grand Overture Verticale) Trawl (BT 137) fitted with ground gear D.
Plankton Sampling Gear: Gulf 7, icthyoplankton Sampler
Hydrographic Gear: Seabird 19+ CTD (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth)

Objectives:

  1. Demersal trawling survey (SCOWCGFS-Q1) off the grounds of the north and west of Scotland in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Subarea 6a.
  2. Obtain temperature and salinity data from the surface and seabed at each trawling station.
  3. Collect additional biological data in connection with the EU Data Collection Framework (DCF).
  4. Retrieval and re-deployment of Compass moorings located at discrete sites within the survey area.
  5. Opportunistic use of the Gulf 7 icthyoplankton sampler in support of the triennial mackerel egg survey (MEGS) to determine densities of target species within the survey area.

Procedures:

Trawling

This is a random-stratified survey design with trawl stations being distributed within 10 predefined strata covering the sampling area (Figure 1). A total of 62 primary and 45 secondary stations have been generated (Tables 2 and 3, respectively). The intention is for the 62 trawls to be undertaken on suitable ground as near to the specified primary sampling positions as is practicable, and where possible within a radius of five nautical miles of the sampling position. In the event that trawling is not possible within 5 nm of any primary station then the nearest appropriate secondary station will be used. Hauls will be of 30 minutes duration unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Where possible, fishing operations will be restricted to daylight hours.

The Scanmar system will be used to monitor the headline height, wing spread and door spread for each haul. Bottom contact data from each trawl will also be collected using the NOAA bottom contact sensor, which will be mounted on a bar in the centre of the ground-gear. In addition to the routine sampling, biological data will be collected for target species in line with the EU data regulation. All fish will be processed in accordance with the protocols as described in the Manual of the IBTS North Eastern Atlantic Surveys. Series of ICES Survey Protocols SISP 15. 92 pp. 

Hydrography

A CTD cast will be taken at each trawl station, weather permitting. Top and bottom temperatures will be reported and in addition a calibration sample will be retained from the surface.

Compass Moorings

Six acoustic moorings were deployed at sites within the 0318S survey area during 2018. Two days have been allocated from this survey in order to retrieve and redeploy these moorings. An acoustic release system will be deployed from the vessels side deck to trigger each mooring which will then allow it to surface where it will then be retrieved again from the side deck. Re-deployment of moorings will be undertaken from the side deck. A table and map providing the mooring locations can be found below in Table 1 and Figure 2 respectively.

Table 1: Positions of moorings located within the 0319S survey area

0319S Table 1 Positions of moorings

Gulf 7 Sampling

Oblique tows will be carried out opportunistically and during trawl and mooring downtime using the Gulf 7 sampler. The intention will be to collect where possible one sample within each half statistical rectangle bisected vertically (eg 45E1W/45E1E). The daily sampling plan will be discussed and then decided after consultation with the Captain and Fishing Master.

Figure 1: 0319S (SCOWCGFS-Q1) – 2019 ICES Subarea VIa Survey Strata showing primary (filled circles) and secondary trawling stations (open circles).      A potential survey route is also provided.

0319S Figure 1

Table 2: 0319S – Positions of primary sampling stations

0319S Table 2 Position of Primary Stations

Table 3: 0319S – Positions of secondary sampling stations

Table 3: Positions of secondary sampling stations

Figure 2: 0319S – Location of Compass moorings

0319S Figure 2

Further Information:

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