Marine

  • IA2017 – Cooperation ensures progress

    21st August 2017 by

    OSPAR banner

    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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  • Keeping track at Armadale: Update three from the tracking project

    15th August 2017 by

    As at 13 August, we have tagged around 70 salmon. A later run of grilse, as hoped, has therefore not yet materialised. We are reviewing the situation to decide whether we could and should continue beyond our planned end date of 25 August. Further Information Keeping track at Armadale: Update two from the tracking project

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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 period...

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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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  • Modelling the future – and the past

    10th August 2017 by

    Hydrodynamic models are computer programs that simulate the movement, temperature, salinity and other properties of our seas. These models can complement observations to describe the physical marine environment in the past and the present, and provide forecasts. Marine Scotland has led the development of a model for the Scottish continental shelf waters called the Scottish...

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  • IA2017 – Contaminant concentrations are decreasing, but concerns remain

    7th August 2017 by

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    OSPAR countries have made significant efforts to reduce discharges, emissions, and losses of contaminants to both air and water. The effect of these efforts is clearly visible in reduced inputs to the Greater North Sea. The observed decreases in contaminant release from land-based sources and the offshore oil and gas industry show the continued progress...

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  • Madeira. It’s not all about cake.

    4th August 2017 by

    Madeira is a small (801 km2) volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean, almost due west of Marrakesh. With a total population not much larger than that of Aberdeen, this island relies heavily on tourism. In this context, it is perhaps not that surprising, that marine litter is something which they want to highlight. When I...

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  • Keeping track at Armadale: Update two from the tracking project

    3rd August 2017 by

    Tagging continues in Armadale and the 1st of August heralded our highest daily tagging volume to date, with 17 salmon tagged. After 26 operational days we have now tagged over 60 salmon. We hope that we may benefit from a late grilse run, allowing us to get much nearer our 750 tagging target. Further Information...

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  • Taking PAM to visit Rosemary Bank

    2nd August 2017 by

    Figure 1: Map showing approximate location for mooring deployment and transects for each zone Duration: 31 July to 7 August 2017 Fishing Gear: 2 x bird observer boxes (plus rubber matting) 1 x passive acoustic device and moorings Objectives To deploy a passive acoustic device on Rosemary Bank To collect data on bird and marine...

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  • IA2017 – Radioactive discharges from the nuclear sector have decreased

    31st July 2017 by

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    OSPAR collects data on authorised discharges and environmental activity concentrations for several radionuclides. For the purpose of evaluation, OSPAR distinguishes those radionuclides that emit alpha radiation (total alpha activity) and those that emit beta radiation (total beta activity). Discharges from fuel reprocessing plants are much reduced but remain the dominant source of discharges from the...

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