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FRV Alba Na Mara 1016A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier1016A
Cruise period2016-06-11 — 2016-06-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnGreenock, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesSurvey 1016A, in combination with 1116A, serves work carried out by Marine Scotland Science investigating Scotland's MPA network. Data are required to underpin the management of the new suite of marine protected areas and to meet commitments prescribed by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The 1016A survey aims in particular to establish the status of demersal fish species within the Small Isles MPA.

Objectives

To collect baseline data relating to demersal fish species from within the Small Isles MPA, the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA and from several outside reference sites.

Procedure

Scientists will join the vessel on the morning of 11 June. Weather permitting Alba na Mara will depart from Fraserburgh the same day. A fish trap survey at various sites within the Small Isles and the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA will be carried out during 1016A. Traps will be deployed in the first half of the day and collected in the afternoon. Time will be set aside midday to set traps fitted with monitoring cameras. Species composition and length frequency distributions of fish caught will be determined. All samples will be weighed and, where appropriate (Cod, Whiting, Haddock), their otoliths removed to establish age. Daily scientific sampling will occur between 07:00 and 19:00 hours (all times UTC). The fish trap survey will commence on 13 June, weather permitting, in the Small Isles MPA, moving to the Sound of Jura on 20 June. Opportunities for the vessel to top up on freshwater will be taken opportunistically. Scientific operations will cease on the afternoon of 22 June to allow sufficient time for the vessel to travel to Greenock. The 23 June is allocated as a travel day as no unloading will occur in Greenock harbour.
Chief scientistPhilip Boulcott (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 1016A cruise programme 1016a.pdf  (0.48 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland