Marine

  • Protecting the Ocean Quahog

    3rd December 2015 by

    The Ocean quahog, Arctica islandica, is a large marine bivalve that can live for over 500 years. This makes it one of the longest lived animals known to science. It is found around British and Irish coasts and lives in sediments from just below low water to depths of about 500 metres. They are often...

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  • Marine Analytical Unit monthly update – 25 November 2015

    1st December 2015 by

    This month’s update from the Marine Analytical Unit has been published, featuring an article reporting on Stakeholder participation and satisfaction in the process of developing management plans. Read the full update

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  • New report published about the Spatial dynamics of scallops in relation to the Orkney dive fishery

    26th November 2015 by

    This new report – a Report of Fishing Industry Science Alliance (FISA) Project 03/12 – has been published in the Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science series. ******** The principal method of fishing for king scallops in Orkney waters is hand collection by divers. Local scallop divers, exploiting small patches of seabed, have reported that these exploited areas...

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  • MRV Scotia: Survey 1715S Programme

    24th November 2015 by

    Duration: 18 November – 8 December 2015 Fishing Gear: GOV Trawl (BT137 – Strengthened) and ground gear D. Objectives: To participate in the ICES co-ordinated western division demersal trawling survey; To obtain temperature and salinity data profiles at each trawling position; and To collect additional biological data in connection with the EU data collection framework...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 1815A Programme

    18th November 2015 by

    Duration: 26 November – 1 December 2015 Sampling Gear: BT 158 with 50 mm cod-end; 2 m beam trawl with 50 mm cod-end; Day grab and table; Catamaran and manta neuston net; and Bongo net. Objectives:  To undertake flatfish sampling in St Andrews Bay, and Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring...

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  • MRV Sir John Murray: Survey 0215SJM Programme

    17th November 2015 by

    Duration: 16-22 November 2015 Sampling Gear: SEPA-provided 2 m beam trawl with 50 mm cod-end; SEPA-provided bottom trawl with 50 mm cod-end; SEPA-provided Day grab and table; MSS-provided catamaran and manta neuston net; and MSS-provided bongo nets for plankton sampling. Objectives:  To undertake flatfish and sediment sampling in the Clyde and Solway in support of...

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  • MRV Scotia: An update on survey 1615S

    12th November 2015 by

    We sailed from Aberdeen on 4th November to undertake comparison trials of a new ground gear (ground gear E), with a standard ground gear (ground gear B). The survey began with instrumentation trials, before moving to commercial fishing grounds to undertake catchability trials. Once the required number of hauls were completed for ground gear E,...

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  • SNH Commissioned Report 894: Harbour seal haul-out monitoring

    9th November 2015 by

    Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has recently published a study which investigated the consequences of disturbance from boats to seals using haul outs. The work was carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews and helps to inform our understanding of the effects of disturbance, particularly in relation to the 194 protected...

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  • MRV Alba na Mara: Survey 1715A Programme

    6th November 2015 by

    Duration: 10-23 November 2015 Gear: Surface and subsurface PAM moorings Objectives: To retrieve a series of moorings comprising dhan buoys (eight surface marked moorings) or acoustic release systems (22 subsurface moorings) and the acoustic recording devices attached to them (30 C-POD and ten SM2M/SM3M) as part of the east coast marine mammal monitoring programme (see...

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  • MRV Scotia: An Update on Survey 1515S

    30th October 2015 by

    On the 19th October 2015, MRV Scotia set sail from Aberdeen on survey 1515S to undertake 15 days of cooperative work between JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) and MSS (Marine Scotland Science). The survey covered two sites some 100 miles east of Aberdeen, with all scientific work being carried out by our team of four...

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