FRV Alba Na Mara 1815A
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 1815A |
| Cruise period | 2015-11-26 — 2015-12-01 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Leith, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Leith, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To undertake flatfish sampling in St Andrews Bay, and Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (OSPAR and MSFD). 2. To undertake sediment sampling in St Andrews Bay, Outer Firth of Forth and Forth estuary in support of the Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (OSPAR and MSFD). 3. To undertake sample preparation for subsequent eco-toxicological analyses. 4. To undertake survey of sea-surface litter in surface waters of the Scottish east coast. 5. Adventitious sampling of fish and shellfish for micro-plastics. 6. At two sites in the Forth estuary and Firth of Forth, to sample sediments, benthic infauna, benthic epifauna, demersal fish, phytoplankton and zooplankton in support of PhD project on trophic transfer of contaminants. Procedure Fishing and scientific gear will be loaded in Leith prior to Alba na Mara sailing on 26 November. Flounder and five sediment stations will be sampled in St Andrews Bay and in the Forth estuary (Tancred bank), five sediment stations will be sampled in the outer Firth of Forth. The neuston manta trawl will be deployed in the Forth estuary, the Firth of Forth, and off the east coasts of Fife and East Lothian. This net is to be towed at five knots, or less, for 30-90 minutes in order to collect and sample micro-plastics floating on the sea surface. In the Forth estuary and the Firth of Forth additional sediment grabs will be collected for benthic invertebrates. Crabs and other epibenthos will be adventitiously sampled from Tancred bank beam trawls; additional fishing will be undertaken to collect dab and invertebrates (Nephrops, crabs, etc.) as may be found in the Firth of Forth. Six bongo net hauls will be undertaken in the Forth estuary and six in the Firth of Forth in order to obtain plankton samples. On completion of this survey, passage will be made to Leith from where all scientific gear and samples will be transferred to MSS (Aberdeen). |
| Chief scientist | Craig D Robinson (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.09 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | St Andrews Bay, Firth of Forth |