Resources

FRV Alba Na Mara 0814A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier0814A
Cruise period2014-05-21 — 2014-05-28
StatusCompleted
Port of departureLeith, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

1. Grabbing for biology/PSA at Kirkwall, Scapa Flow, Stonehaven and St Andrews Bay.
2. Grabbing for biology/PSA/contaminants in the Lower Forth Estuary.
3. Trawling in the Lower forth Estuary.
4. Record all litter brought aboard in all trawls.
5. Deploy catamaran/neuston trawl to collect litter, in support of ROAME ST014 (MSS).

Procedure

Sediment Grabs: At 25 Grabbing sites (MED INV 09 - Kirkwall Bay, MED INV 10 - Scapa Flow, MED INV 08 - Stonehaven, MED INV 04 - St Andrews Bay, MED INV 01 - Forth) sediment will be sampled using a Day Grab. At each Grabbing Site two grabs will be taken: 1 Day Grab for biology invertebrates & 1 Day Grab for biology PSA (at the Lower Forth Estuary site contaminants will also be sampled from this grab).

Fishing: Beam trawling will be undertaken at 3 sites in the Forth Estuary

Micro-plastic litter sampling: Net will be deployed on passage between main sampling areas. Intensive sampling will take place off Aberdeen Bay and Stonehaven Bay (Nigg WWTP outfall area).

General Arrangements: Formaldehyde will be carried aboard for the preservation and storage of biological material.

Approximate Schedule: The consultation with the skipper, the vessel will depart Leith am on 21 May to undertake grab and fishing samples in the Firth of Forth. The vessel will then undertake sampling in St Andrews Bay, Stonehaven and Orkney as per the positions below.
Chief scientistMarie Russell (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 0814A cruise programme 0814a.pdf  (0.44 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificKirkwall Bay, Scapa Flow, Stonehaven and St Andrews Bay, Lower Forth Estuary, Aberdeen Bay, Stonehaven Bay
Track chartsFRV Alba Na Mara 0814A cruise track — 0814atrk.pdf (0.41 MB)