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FRV Explorer 4/74

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Explorer (74EX)
Cruise identifier4/74
Cruise period1974-05-07 — 1974-05-22
StatusCompleted
Port of returnAberdeen, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1) To obtain practical information on the feasibility of catching blue whiting by pelagic trawl from a side trawler
2) To determine the behaviour of blue whiting shoals during the catching process through the use of sonar on board FRV Clupea and of nets of differeing mesh size
3) To study the handling characteristics of large pelagic gears on a size trawler

In view of worsening weather a rendezvous was made with Clupea on the 08/05/1974 to exchange gear and equiptment and information on the availability of blue whiting. An acoustic survey was carried out on the eastern edge of the Faroe Shetland Channel. ''Explorer'' collected further instrumentation from Clupea prior to her return to Aberdeen on the 15/05/1974. A half landing in Lerwick to place from the 16/05/1974 to the 18/05/1974 and the net and floors were changed. Severe weather conditions haulted work on the 20/05/1974 and work was discontinued.

The cruise objectives were not fulfilled, yet a considerable area was surveyed and further information on the distribution of blue whiting was collected. Samples of fish were measured and otoliths taken. A small quantity of blue whiting were frozen and taken to the laboratory.
Chief scientistRichard S T Ferro (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise reportFRV Explorer 4/74 cruise report explorer4_74.pdf (0.15 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
Specificnorth west of Cath Wrath, eastern edge of the Faroe Shetland Channel, Orkneys, St Kilda
Measurements 
Biology and fisheries 
Pelagic fish
Gear research
Exploratory fishing