Resources

FRV Explorer 3/80

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Explorer (74EX)
Cruise identifier3/80
Cruise period1980-02-15 — 1980-03-06
StatusCompleted
Port of departureAberdeen, United Kingdom
Port of returnAberdeen, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1) To take part in the International Young Herring and Gadoid Pre-recruit Survey in the North Sea.
2) To determine the age composition of cod, haddock, saithe, and whiting for each block of squares
3) To undertake, on completion of the International Survey, two trauls per statistical square in the blocks numbered 1-3

''Explorer'' anchored in the Wick of Gruting on 20/02/1980 and remained till the 22/02/1980 due to bad weather . A mid cruise break took place on the 25/02/1980 and set sail the following day. ''Explorer'' also anchored in Leven Wick on the 29/02/1980 till the 03/03/1980 due to bad weather. 11 Stations were completed and a further 4 on the east coast of Shetland. 7 trawls were made in the Orkney and Moray Firth areas. A total of 57 valid hauls were made during both parts of the cruise using the GOV trawl and 2912 otoliths taken from cod, haddock, and whiting were read at sea. Material was collected for use in multispecies models. Maturities of haddock and whiting to determine the age at first spawning were recorded at stations north of 59 degrees, 30 minutes. Invertrbrates were taken in very small numbers throughout most of the cruise. Samples of haddock from the Orkney and Shetland areas were deep frozen for Dr McVicar.
Chief scientistArthur S Jermyn (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
ProjectIYFS
Coordinating bodyICES
Cruise reportFRV Explorer 3/80 cruise report explorer2and3_80.pdf (4.11 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificFarn Deeps, Fladens-Shetland area, Fetlar, Orkney, Moray Firth,
Track chartsFRV Explorer 3/80 cruise track — explorer3_80track.pdf (2.65 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 26
Description: top & bottom
Biology and fisheries 
Eggs and larvaeQuantity: 15
Pelagic fishQuantity: number of hauls = 32
Description: biomass determination,population structures
Demersal fishQuantity: number of hauls = 32
Description: Samples of haddock, hake, ling, and whiting for the measurement of total nitrogen content were deep frozen for Dr Mackie of the Torry Research Station
CrustaceansQuantity: 32