FRV Scotia 0810S
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 0810S |
| Cruise period | 2010-06-28 — 2010-07-18 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To conduct an acoustic survey to estimate the abundance and distribution of herring in the northwestern North Sea and north of Scotland between 58º30'-62ºN and 4ºW to 2ºE, excluding Faroese waters. 2. To obtain biological samples for echosounder trace identification using a pelagic trawl. 3. To obtain samples of herring for biological analysis, including age, length, weight, sex, maturity, fat content and ichthyophonus infection. 4. To obtain hydrographic data for comparison with the horizontal and vertical distribution of herring. 5. To obtain plankton samples to map the distribution and abundance of zooplankton. 6. To obtain information on seabed habitats using grab sampling and drop frame TV. Narrative All gear was loaded in Aberdeen between 24 & 27 June. Scotia did not depart until 1800 on 28 June after a delay to allow for the repair of the vessels air conditioning system. A short meeting was held with all scientists to explain the objectives of the survey, to describe general operating procedures and discuss risk assessments for tasks. A deployment of the PT160 pelagic trawl with multicodend sampler was conducted en route to Scapa Flow to familiarise staff with the handling of the equipment. Calibration of the hull-mounted transducers took place in Scapa Flow between 0630 and 1400 on 29 June. Scotia then made her way to east of the Pentland Firth to the first survey transect beginning the survey at 1545. Transects extended as far east as 1° 45E, and as far as safely possible to the west, on approaching the coast. Fish traces were abundant in the area and fishing operations were carried out very successfully up to the half landing with 15 out of the 18 hauls conducted catching significant quantities of herring. The loss of a complete top panel of the net on 30 June did not restrict fishing operations but precluded the use of the multisampler until repairs could be made to the ex |
| Chief scientist | Philip J Copland (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Project | RV1009 |
| Cruise programme |  (0.03 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.03 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W) |
| Specific | Northwestern North Sea and north of Scotland from 58º30’ to 62ºN and 4ºW to 2ºE, excluding Faroese waters |
