FRV Scotia 1209S_2
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 1209S_2 |
| Cruise period | 2010-09-13 — 2010-09-28 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Ullapool, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To undertake bagging trials and TV observation to assess selectivity and sampling bias/catchability of the net with 2 different ground-gears (21" v 16"rock-hoppers). 2. To map the composition, distribution and abundance of continental slope species including anglerfish (Lophius spp.) on the deepwater slope west of the Hebrides and Rosemary Bank. 3. Identify, quantify and record all benthic invertebrate species caught. 4. Collect temperature at depth during all deepwater hauls using a data storage sensor attached to the trawl headline. 5. Collect biological samples (genetics and otoliths) for key species for population and contaminant studies as requested. Narrative Calm conditions at Rockall on 12 September allowed the switchover to the deepwater doors to take place at sea. Passage was made to the shelf edge (ICES square 45EO) where the BT184 was rigged in readiness for the bagging trials, which took place over the next 3 days. During the nighttime, the TV drop-frame was deployed for Nephrops observation work on the shelf slope (Fig 3). On the evening of 15 September, passage was made to Ullapool for the half landing on 16 September. All the GOV fishing gear including the doors were uplifted at the half landing and returned to the Marine Laboratory. Following the half-landing and personnel change over in Ullapool, Scotia sailed at 08.35 hrs on 17 September making passage south down the Minch to arrive on station on the shelf slope the following morning to recommence the deepwater trawl survey. A series of 1 hour hauls with the new 16" rock-hopper grounder gear were undertaken at 500, 750, 1000, 1500 and 1800 m depths daily from 06.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs as far south as Donegal before returning North. The nighttime was used to make opportunistic acoustic recording of cetacean activity in the area. Severe weather on the night of 21 September meant that shelter was sought in the lee of St. Kilda. Force 9-10 winds the following day prevented any survey work until 18.00 hrs when passage was made back to the shelf slope and the survey resumed the following morning. Passage was made to Rosemary bank on the night of 23 September and 3 trawl stations were completed there the following day. Scotia then returned to the shelf slope where the remaining time series stations were completed. Scotia began passage to Aberdeen on the evening of 26 September, docking and unloading in Aberdeen the morning of 28 September. |
| Chief scientist | Francis C Neat (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.12 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.18 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W) |
| Specific | Rosemary Bank and continental slope off Northwest UK |
| Track charts | (0.15 MB) |
