Marine

  • There be prawns!

    22nd June 2017 by

    Nephrops

    Earlier, we posted information about the 7th research survey that our research vessel, the Alba na Mara was doing. Here we have the final blog from the Scientist in Charge on that survey, Adrian Weetman: Following the long journey from Fladen to the west coast on Monday 12th June, the annual Nephrops Under Water TV Survey began working in...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara Survey 0517A Programme

    6th April 2017 by

    MRV Alba na Mara

    Duration: 06 – 26 April 2017 Fishing Gear: Scallop Dredges Objectives: To carry out a survey of scallop stocks on the West Coast. To age, measure and assess shell damage on all scallops caught. To Identify and sample additional areas of commercial interest to the scallop fishery. To collect information on by-catch of other commercial...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara Survey 0417A Programme

    24th March 2017 by

    MRV Alba na Mara

    Duration: 25 March – 03 April 2017 Gear: Surface and subsurface PAM moorings Objective: To deploy a series of moorings comprising dhan buoys (9 surface marked moorings) and acoustic release systems (21 subsurface moorings) with attached acoustic recording devices (30 C-POD and 10 SM2M) as part of the east coast marine mammal monitoring programme (see...

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  • How would you like to be a Scientist-in-Charge?

    8th March 2017 by

    Scotia in Scapa Flow by Michael Stewart

    I work as a physical oceanographer for Marine Scotland Science and every December I am also the Scientist-in-Charge (SiC) of the MRV Scotia’s research cruise. Before taking over the December cruise I work-shadowed a colleague who taught me the ins-and-outs of Scotia and this type of cruise. Funnily enough not many people are keen on...

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  • MRV Scotia Survey 0117S Programme

    4th January 2017 by

    Scotia in Scapa Flow by Michael Stewart

    Duration: 4-19 January 2017 Fishing gear: BT 137 with Ground gear E; Sediment Sampling: Day grab and sieves; Litter sampling: Catamaran neuston trawl; Plankton net; Water sampling: Aquatracka fluorometer, Seabird 19 and sled. Objectives: To undertake water, sediment and biological sampling for the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP). To collect water samples for nutrient...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 0117A Programme

    2nd January 2017 by

    MRV Alba na Mara

    Duration: 4-20 January 2017 Gear: Large TV drop frame; TV sledge; 1 x 600m umbilical towing cable; 1 x armoured cable; Video cameras and associated equipment (plus backup); Four lasers and 60cm bracket for the drop frame; 1 x BT201 prawn trawl (plus minimal spares); Day grab and table; Prawn sorting table; and Go Pro...

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  • A Very Fortunate Find

    23rd December 2016 by

    Recently, as part of the East Coast Marine Mammal Acoustic Study (ECOMMAS), some colleagues were out on the research vessel Alba na Mara to retrieve acoustic detectors; devices deployed and retrieved which help to build a picture of dolphin and porpoise population distribution. During the trip they searched for one particular mooring, approximately 5 km...

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  • MRV Scotia Survey 1816S Programme

    14th December 2016 by

    Scotia in Scapa Flow by Michael Stewart

    Duration: 10-20 December 2016 Gear: Sea-Bird CTD/Carousel, sledge with OPC and CTD, ADCP mooring equipment, water filtering equipment Objectives: Test the CTD and sledge/OPC in the Buchan Deep off Peterhead. Perform routine hydrographic sampling at stations along the long term monitoring JONSIS section in the northern North Sea. Perform routine hydrographic sampling at stations along...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 2316A Programme

    12th December 2016 by

    MRV Alba na Mara

    Duration: 8-21 December 2016 Equipment: Sandeel dredge × 2 (modified 4′ scallop dredge with 6″ teeth and spare toothbars) with towing bar and camera attachment. TV camera. Minilogger (or equivalent – i.e. DST). Objectives: To determine the abundance, length and age of sandeels in the sediment from regions east of the Firth of Forth and...

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  • Marine engineers develop a new drop frame and camera system

    9th December 2016 by

    Marine Scotland Engineering staff have a history of building bespoke kit for scientists over a number of years. Most recently they have been working on the research vessel Alba na Mara to develop a new drop frame and stereo image system to increase our benthic monitoring capabilities. This system is used by both Marine Scotland scientists and...

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