Marine

  • IA2017 – Eutrophication is still a problem in some areas

    18th September 2017 by

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    Eutrophication is the result of excessive enrichment of water with nutrients. This can cause accelerated growth of algae (phytoplankton) and plants. This may result in an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present and ultimately to a decline in the overall water quality. Eutrophication is not always a local problem. Water masses continuously move...

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  • Surveying Scotland’s Priority Marine Features

    15th September 2017 by

    Alba na Mara

    Duration: 21 September – 10 October 2017 Gear New drop/lander frame + calibration mesh HD TV system + lights Armoured cable + spare + axle stands Stereo TV system  Background and Objectives 1617A will survey the waters around the Small Isles Marine Protected Area (MPA). The primary objective of this survey is to survey monitoring...

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  • Trawling in the deep with the Scotia

    13th September 2017 by

    Duration: 15-28 September 2017 Gear BT 184 Deepwater trawl with 16“ ground-gear and Morgere 1700 kg doors (monkfish) Groundgear Bosom bag for BT184 Agassiz trawl  Objectives To map the composition, distribution and abundance of continental slope species including invertebrates on the deepwater slope west of the Hebrides and Rosemary Bank to depths of 2000 m....

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  • IA2017 – New developments in the way biodiversity is assessed

    11th September 2017 by

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    OSPAR is committed to protecting and conserving ecosystems and biodiversity through the management of human activities, guided by an ecosystem-based approach to management. The development of internationally coordinated biodiversity indicators is a relatively new field for OSPAR. In the Quality Status Report 2010, OSPAR assessed ten ecological quality objectives developed for the North Sea which...

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  • IA2017 – Marine litter is a problem

    4th September 2017 by

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    OSPAR has assessed the occurrence of marine litter in all regions within its Maritime Area, except for the Wider Atlantic where there is poor data availability. Marine litter, in particular plastic, is abundant on beaches, in the water column and on the seafloor. Marine litter also affects biota, as indicated by the levels in North...

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  • Surveying haddock at Rockall with the Scotia

    1st September 2017 by

    Duration: 2-13 September 2017 Gear  GOV Trawl (BT 137) with ground gear D CTD – Seabird 19+ Day grabs  Objectives To undertake the bottom trawl survey of haddock on Rockall Bank to a depth of 350 m.  To deploy a CTD at selected trawl stations to collect temperature and salinity profiles.  To collect sediment samples at...

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  • IA2017 – Mixed signals for marine mammals

    28th August 2017 by

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    The abundance and condition of marine mammals, as top predators, can help indicate the state of the marine ecosystem. As was also the case at the time of the last OSPAR Quality Status Report (QSR 2010), harbour seal and grey seal populations are generally stable or increasing in most assessed areas although some harbour seal...

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  • IA2017 – Cooperation ensures progress

    21st August 2017 by

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    The OSPAR Commission is the competent regional organisation guiding international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. Through the global circulation of water and air, the North-East Atlantic is connected to, and impacted by, events in other parts of the world. As such, collaboration among governments and between government scientists,...

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  • IA2017 – Discharges from offshore oil and gas installations have decreased due to OSPAR measures

    14th August 2017 by

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      OSPAR has developed programmes and measures in respect of all phases of offshore oil and gas activities and undertakes annual assessments of discharges, spills and emissions from offshore oil and gas installations. Hydrocarbons and ‘chemicals’ are routinely discharged to the marine environment during offshore oil and gas operations. Assessment of the data for the...

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  • Taking the temperature with the MRV Scotia

    11th August 2017 by

    Scotia in Scapa Flow by Michael Stewart

    Next MRV Scotia Survey  Duration: 10 – 30 August 2017 Fishing Gear: GOV Trawl (BT 137) with Ground Gear A & B Objectives To complete an internationally coordinated demersal trawling survey in the North Sea in ICES area IV.  To obtain temperature and salinity data from the surface and seabed at each trawling station using...

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