Resources

FRV Scotia 1212S

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Scotia (748S)
Cruise identifier1212S
Cruise period2012-09-15 — 2012-09-27
StatusCompleted
Port of departureAberdeen, United Kingdom
Port of returnAberdeen, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To map the composition, distribution and abundance of continental slope species including invertebrates on the deepwater slope west of the Hebrides and Rosemary Bank to depths of 1800 m.
2. To collect temperature at depth during all deepwater hauls using a data storage sensor attached to the trawl headline.
3. To collect samples (genetics and otoliths) for key species for population and contaminant studies (Marine Assessment) and undertake any other sampling requests, e.g. MSFD litter recording.

Procedures

The deepwater slope survey will commence 24 hours after coming into Ullapool at the end of survey 1111S and proceed south trawling the shelf slope between 500-1800 m. The primary objective is to map the composition, distribution and abundance of fish species on the deepwater slope west of the Hebrides (see Figure 1). Trawling will mainly be at fixed stations at 500, 750, 1000, 1500 and 1800 m. In square 44EO, additional stations at intermediate depths will be undertaken. Trawl duration will be one hour. The exact locations of the trawling stations will be notified to the vessel at the commencement of the cruise. If time permits, trawl stations on Rosemary Bank will be conducted as has been done in previous years. The schedule has been set under the WTD and the expectation is that trawling will be conducted within the hours of daylight. It may be necessary to trawl at night if daylight fishing time is lost due to poor weather or other problems, but the night-time will mainly be spent in passage from one sampling area to the next. From all tows, the entire catch will be sorted, weighed and length-frequency data collected. Benthic invertebrate by-catch will also be recorded. A ground gear bag will be attached on certain tows for sampling of benthos. Additional sampling to be carried out as outlined in the objectives.

Scotia will return to Aberdeen on the morning of 27 September.
Normal contacts will be maintained with the Laboratory.
Chief scientistFinlay Burns (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
ProjectDeepwater Slope Survey
Cruise programmeFRV Scotia 1212S cruise programme 1212s.pdf  (0.17 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificWest of the Hebrides, Rosemary Bank
Track chartsFRV Scotia 1212S cruise track — 1212strk.pdf (0.08 MB)