Resources

RV Belgica 2010-21B

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Belgica (11BE)
Cruise identifier2010-21B
Cruise period2010-08-30 — 2010-09-03
StatusCompleted
Port of departureChatham Docks, United Kingdom
Port of returnZeebrugge, Belgium
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

1. Indices of abundance and biomass of adult flatfishes (mainly plaice and sole) will be calculated by means of stratified tows in the southern and central North Sea. The results will be incorporated in the DATRAS‐database of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and will be used in analytical population studies of these species/stocks. Additionally, several other investigations are planned, such as
(a) the construction of "age‐length‐keys" for a number of commercially important flatfish species and cod
(b) documenting distribution and abundance of all commercial and non‐commercial bycatch species
(c) collecting an array of organisms that will be used as training material for biology students at several Belgian universities
(d) documenting the amount and types of litter at sea

2. Research concerning authenticity, geografic labelling and stock discrimination using finclips (tissue samples from tail‐ or dorsal fins) and otoliths (microchemistry) for sole, turbot, brill and sea trout (caught in the above mentioned tows).
Chief scientistKelle Moreau (Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Ostend)
Cruise reportRV Belgica 2010-21B cruise report belgica_2010-21.pdf (0.44 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificSouthern North Sea (Belgian, French and English Continental Shelves)
Track chartsRV Belgica 2010-21B cruise track — belgica_2010-21trk.pdf (0.02 MB)