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FRV Clupea 0507C Part 2

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Clupea (74CU)
Cruise identifier0507C Part 2
Cruise period2007-04-12 — 2007-04-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureInverness, United Kingdom
Port of returnAberdeen, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To collect biota samples for TBT analysis using whelk pots at the Peterhead dredged material disposal site.

2. To undertake underwater television (UWT), grab and RoxAnn surveys at the Peterhead dredged material disposal site to assess the condition of the sea bed identify the predominant benthic epifauna species, and the distribution of anthropogenic debris.

3. To undertake Agassiz, UWT, grab and RoxAnn surveys at two potential sea disposal sites off Whitehills.

4. To undertake Agassiz, grab RoxAnn and UWT surveys at potential Aberdeen offshore wind farm site.

5. To undertake sediment sampling and where possible UWT surveys off Invergordon and at the Sutors sea disposal site.

6. To undertake Agassiz, grab RoxAnn and UWT surveys at dredged material disposal sites around Orkney, a maximum of five sites to be investigated.

7. To undertake grab, RoxAnn and UWT surveys at EMEC renewables test centre off Orkney (two sites).

Narrative

From Inverness, passage was made for anchorage at Sinclair Bay. The next morning passage was made to the Orkney sea disposal site north of Stronsay where five grab samples were attempted and one UWT transect completed. Overnight was spent at anchorage in the Bay of Holland. The following day passage was made to the Falls of Warness to complete UWT transects along the western margin of the EMEC tidal energy test facility. Timing for the deployment of the UWT was restricted to slack water due to the exceptional tidal currents. However, two excellent WT transects were completed before making passage to the Kirkwall sea disposal site. Five grab samples were attempted at the Kirkwall disposal site and one UWT transect completed. Tidal conditions at the disposal site made the deployment of the UWT very difficult resulting in a number of aborted attempts. Overnight was spent in Kirkwall Harbour. The following morning passage was made to Stromness Harbour. On route, the UWT was trialled to ensure that the problems encountered during deployment on the previous day were a function of the tidal conditions and not the result of problems with the equipment. The faultless deployment concurred with our suspicions. Also on route, Stromness B sea disposal site was surveyed with five attempts using the day grab and two completed UTW transects. The following day was taken as a rest day and one of the scientific crew disembarked back to the mainland on the Stromness to Scrabster ferry. Passage to Invergordon was made the following day via Wick sea disposal site where five day grab samples were attempted. Immediately after lunch on 18th April, three scientific staff joined the Clupea and two scientific staff disembarked. Passage was made to Macduff however, the ingress of water resulted in the Clupea returning to Fraserburgh and the scientific crew disembarking. The scientific crew rejoined the Clupea on 20th April however, the ingress of water via the prop became more serious and the remainder of the cruise was abandoned.
Chief scientistJames C McKie (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
ProjectAE02n
Coordinating bodyFRS
Cruise reportFRV Clupea 0507C Part 2 cruise report 0507c.pdf (0.03 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificNorth Sea and Orkney