Resources

Carhelmar 2/07

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)Carhelmar (74OJ)
Cruise identifier2/07
Cruise period2007-10-09 — 2007-10-16
StatusCompleted
Port of departurePlymouth, United Kingdom
Port of returnPlymouth, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesAims

1. To carry out a beam trawl survey for plaice and sole using the standard grid of station positions.
2. To collect length distributions and otolith samples of cod, plaice, sole, anglerfish and lemon sole.
3. To collect details of all crab (Cancer pagurus), lobster and scallop caught.

Narrative

Gear (fishing gear, CTD and 5kg POLS balance) was loaded onboard on the 8th October having been transported from Swansea following the completion of Cory2/07. Beams were taken aboard the Carhelmar and checked and made ready for sea. Two 4m beam trawls (Cefas numbers 2 and 3) were
rigged on port and starboard sides respectively; both were fitted with 40mm liners.

After sailing from Plymouth on the morning of the 9th October, three inshore stations were sampled to the west of Start Point before heading into Lyme Bay to start sampling inshore stations on the second day. An invalid tow was recorded at the first station (B1) on day two when both nets filled with gravel and shell, resulting in the gear being towed to Lyme Regis for a diver to release the cod ends before the gear could be safely raised clear of the water and checked for damage. Over the course of two days, stations were sampled in the eastern portion of Lyme Bay. On the 12th October inshore stations in the western part of Lyme Bay were completed before the vessel turned south and Carhelmar continued to sample the offshore stations during the course of the next day. For the following two days stations were sampled to the south of Start Point before the survey concluded on the 16th October when the final station was sampled to the south east of Plymouth Sound.

The weather remained good for most of the survey apart from the final day when strengthening winds resulted in rough seas and difficult working conditions.
Chief scientistThomas R Woods (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Coordinating bodyCEFAS
Cruise programmeCarhelmar 2/07 cruise programme carhelmar2_07.pdf  (0.01 MB) 
Cruise reportCarhelmar 2/07 cruise report carhelmar2_07.pdf (0.03 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralEnglish Channel
SpecificWestern English Channel