Marine

Alba na Mara Survey 2119A

December 9, 2019 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Directorate Surveys, Research Vessel Surveys

On 28^th November Alba na Mara departed at 0700 from Leith to sail up the Forth Estuary to complete our first objective which was to fish and collect sediment samples at Tancred Bank. We sailed under all the bridges with wonderful views as we passed.

We fished with the beam trawl at Tancred Bank and in total we collected 50+ flounder. The fish were weighed and measured and various samples taken, for Biological Effects and Contaminant Monitoring, in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (OSPAR and MSFD).

Sediment grab samples taken at Tancred Bank

Stomachs and gills were also taken and will be extracted as part of the Microplastic ROAME. Sediment samples were collected and these will be analysed for chemical contaminants and for Microplastics. Alba then deployed the Neuston Trawl, to sample for Microplastics on the surface of the water, three catamaran tows were completed and this completed the Tancred Bank sampling.

The Neuston Net being towed from Alba na Mara

Alba na Mara then made passage to Kingston Hudds (Inner Forth) where we anchored overnight. The next day on 29^th November, we fished at Kingston Hudds where fishing was completed using the Bottom Trawl. Our target species was Dab and we collected 50+ which were weighed and measured with various samples taken including liver and flesh for Biological Effects and Contaminant Analysis. Sediment samples were taken also more catamaran tows completed the Kingston Hudds sampling site.

Alba na Mara then made passage to St Andrews Bay site where more catamaran tows were done on passage, and then fished again, for flounder which was successful in one trawl and also completed some more sediment grabs.

More Catamaran tows were completed before Alba na Mara docked in Leith at 12:00 on 1^st December at the end of the survey.

Survey Programme:

• Survey 2121A Programme – Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme, Firth of Forth

Tags: #marinescience, sediment samples, Tancred Bank

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