FRV Alba Na Mara 0516A
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 0516A |
| Cruise period | 2016-03-28 — 2016-04-15 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Oban, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To carry out a survey of scallop stocks on the West Coast. 2. To assess shell damage on all scallops caught. 3. To collect information on by-catch of other commercial fish and shellfish species. 4. To identify and quantify numbers of starfish species in all dredge tows. 5. To collect flesh samples for genetic/parasite and toxin analysis back at the laboratory. 6. Arrange collection of live scallops for return to the lab during the survey. 7. Collect clapper shells for master's student (two days during survey). Procedure The survey will depart from Fraserburgh on 28 March and after vessel drills will head for the first stations on the West coast. Scallop dredge hauls will be made at sites used on previous surveys and other known commercial grounds. Hauls will be of 30 minutes duration. All scallops from each haul will be measured to the half centimeter below and aged. Numbers and size distribution of commercial fish and shellfish species will be recorded along with scallop shell damage and starfish numbers and species. Potential new stations will be looked at depending on time and weather constraints. Tissue samples will also be collected from selected sites and frozen for toxin analysis back at the laboratory. Scallops will be collected for genetic analysis and some will also be returned live back to the lab for parasite analysis and fresh toxin analysis. The student will be collecting data on the number of "clappers". These are empty scallop shells with both valves still attached at the hinge. The ratio of "clappers" to live scallops can be used as an estimate of recent mortality. The survey will end in Oban on 15 April where all equipment and staff will then return to the laboratory. Normal contacts will be maintained with the laboratory. |
| Chief scientist | Peter Gibson (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.06 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland |
| Track charts | (0.07 MB) |
