FRV Scotia 1006S_2
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 1006S_2 |
| Cruise period | 2006-06-18 — 2006-06-28 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Greenock, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To obtain estimates of abundance and distribution of Nephrops in the Fladen Ground, Firth of Clyde, North Minch, South Minch, Stanton Banks, using underwater television. If time permits the survey will also include stations in the Sound of Jura. 2. To make use of the TV survey to estimate the densities of other shellfish species and benthic organisms and to record evidence of commercial trawling activity 3. To collect sediment samples at each station 4. To carry out Nephrops trawling in each stratum throughout the survey areas for size and sex composition analysis and examination of biological features 5. To collect samples of Nephrops for comparison of reproductive condition and morphometrics in the different functional units. Information on sex at maturity will contribute to EU DCR requirements. 6. To conduct video transects of the Buzzard Field site to collect data for the Serpent project. 7. To trial the Visual Works software and recording device for future use in Nephrops UWTV surveys. Narrative Leaving Greenock on the morning of 18 June, Scotia travelled in an anticlockwise direction around the North of Arran, and despite reduced water visibility due to commercial fishing activity, completed all 39 remaining stations to the west and south of the Firth, as well as 2 trawls by 0600 on the 20 June. Scotia then proceeded to the Sound of Jura, where 4 TV survey tows and one fishing trawl were completed before worsening weather forced the vessel to shelter on the east side of Islay. Strong gale force winds did not allow for safe, workable conditions until 0830 on 22 June. Travelling to the north end of the Sound and planning to work south, allowed more time for the sea state to settle at the more exposed southerly stations. A further 5 TV stations were surveyed before water leaked into the housing containing the range finder depth units - forcingd operations to stop for 12 hours. The down time was used to steam towards Tiree, completing 3 stations by 1400 on the 23, Scotia then steamed to Rhum for 50 miles in good weather conditions to Rhum, working the east side of the South Minch. Despite some electrical equipment problems in the early hours of the 24 June, all stations in the South Minch were finished by 1430 that day. Scotia then steamed to Rona, (to the east of Skye), where submarine activity precluded under water TV work. Four stations were surveyed to the east of the exclusion zone, before the ship was informed that the area to the north was also affected by military exercises. On the 25 June in sunny conditions, Scotia headed for the Noup, arriving there mid afternoon, and surveying 7 stations by 2330. One fishing tow was undertaken before heading back to Fladen to survey an additional 12 stations in high burrow density areas. All tows at Fladen were completed in the afternoon of 27 June, after which Scotia headed for Aberdeen, arriving in port in the early hours of 28 June. Scientific staff disembarked later that morning. |
| Chief scientist | Adrian Weetman (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Project | RVO605 |
| Coordinating body | FRS |
| Cruise report |  (0.23 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland |
| Specific | West and north coasts of Scotland (Firth of Clyde, Sound of Jura, Minches, the Noup) and North Sea (Fladen Ground) |
| Measurements | |
| Biology and fisheries | |
| Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids) | Description: Squid and dab samples were collected during the cruise, for DNA analysis. No. of samples not noted. |
| Pelagic fish | Description: Squid and dab samples were collected during the cruise, for DNA analysis. No. of samples not noted. |
| Molluscs | Description: Squid tentacle samples |
| Crustaceans | Quantity: number of deployments = 92 Description: TV surveys of Nephrops populations. Communities of shellfish and other benthic organisms were also monitored. Evidence of commercial trawling activities recorded. |
| Crustaceans | Description: Nephrops from trawls, male maturity recorded. No. of samples not noted. |
| Crustaceans | Quantity: number of hauls = 6 Description: Trawls for Nephrops |
| Crustaceans | Description: Nephrops examined. No. of samples not noted |
| Crustaceans | Description: Nephrops length frequency distribution and female maturity |
| Geology and geophysics | |
| Grab | Quantity: number of samples = 1 Description: Sediment samples collected survey stations. No. of samples not recorded. |
| Bottom photography | Quantity: number of deployments = 92 Description: TV surveys of Nephrops populations. Communities of shellfish and other benthic organisms were also monitored. Evidence of commercial trawling activities recorded. |
