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Solstice 0606H

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)Solstice (74S0)
Cruise identifier0606H
Cruise period2007-02-07 — 2007-02-28
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To measure during day and night fishing the selectivity of a 95mm diamond mesh codend with a 120mm square mesh panel (SMP) positioned at 4-9m from the codline.

2. To measure during day fishing the selectivity of a 95mm diamond mesh codend with a 120mm SMP positioned at 9-14m from the codline.

3. To observe fish behaviour when encountering the SMP's using self-recording ccd cameras.


Narrative

Staff and equipment joined Solstice at Fraserburgh on 7 February 2007. Staff commenced rigging the fishing gear, wheelhouse instrumentation and fish measuring station aboard the vessel alongside Fraserburgh harbour. The vessel sailed to commercial Nephrops grounds in the 'Fladdens' (ICES Area IV) approximately 90nmiles NE of Fraserburgh. There after selectivity hauls were made for objectives 1 and 2. Due to a SE gale during the evening 10 February the vessel moved Scalloway Deeps and carried out a TV haul on the rig with the 120mm SMP positioned at 4-9m from the codline. However, ambient light levels were too low to obtain footage of the gear therefore the vessel made a port call into Scalloway to allow the SE gale to pass. The vessel left Scalloway on 13 February but due to a strong SE swell sailed to the Noup grounds to the west of the Orkney's. Selectivity trials were continued until the evening 15 February. During 27 February 3 TV hauls were made in the Moray Firth. The vessel sailed for Fraserburgh and landed on 16 February thereafter the staff returned to Aberdeen for a half landing.

Staff returned to Fraserburgh and re-joined the vessel on 19 February. The vessel sailed that afternoon to the same Nephrops grounds targeted during the first half of the cruise in the 'Fladdens' (ICES Area IV). Fishing commenced on 20 February with Selectivity hauls being made for objectives 1 and 2. However, due to the weather freshening and a force 9 SE gale being forecasted the vessel steamed to Lerwick, arriving during the evening 21 February. Due to a force 9-10 SE gale the vessel lay alongside in Lerwick until the morning of 25 February and then returning to the 'Fladden' grounds. Further selectivity hauls were made until the evening 26 February. Due to another SE gale the vessel steamed to the Moray Firth and carried out TV hauls during 27 February. The cruise ended at Fraserburgh on 28 February with all staff and equipment returning to Aberdeen
Chief scientistRobert J Kynoch (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Coordinating bodyFRS
Cruise reportSolstice 0606H cruise report 0606h.pdf (0.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificNorth Sea
Measurements 
Biology and fisheries 
Pelagic fishQuantity: number of hauls = 15
Description: trawls including: haddock and whiting
Demersal fishQuantity: number of hauls = 15
Description: trawls, including: cod, lemon sole, megrim and witch
CrustaceansQuantity: number of hauls = 15
Description: trawls, including: nephrops
Gear researchQuantity: number of hauls = 4
Description: using net mounted cameras to observer SMP at 4-9m