RV Cefas Endeavour 06/18
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9) |
| Cruise identifier | 06/18 |
| Cruise period | 2018-04-23 — 2018-05-04 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Lowestoft, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Lowestoft, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Aims
The aim of this expedition is to acquire information to contribute to the development of monitoring time-series' for the Farnes East and North East Farnes Deep MCZs. The operations will be conducted, and the resulting data processed, to gather evidence on the structure, function and condition of each sites protected features. Seabed imagery and sediment samples will be collected to acquire quantitative and semi-quantitative infaunal and epifaunal community data to enable sentinel ('Type 1') monitoring of the subtidal sediment features, the FOCI and SOCI features (Sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities and Ocean Quahog), and circalittoral rock features present and designated in each site. Seabed imagery will be acquired from the sediment features using the camera sledge while the circalittoral rock features will be surveyed using the drop frame mounted camera system. Additional parameters will be recorded using a data logger in conjunction with both camera systems to further our understanding of the environmental conditions associated with each feature surveyed. The entire Farnes East MCZ will be surveyed while the area of interest in the North East Farnes Deep MCZ is in the south-eastern corner of the site and immediately outside the site boundary. Plan The vessel will be mobilised on or before 20th April 2018. Equipment, consumables and chemicals will be loaded by POMS and Cefas teams. Vessel inductions are scheduled for 11:00 BST on Monday 23rd April 2018 for eight (TBC) survey staff. The vessel will sail on the HW tide of Monday 23rd April 2018 (HW 16:03 BST) and arrive at the North East Farnes Deep site at approximately midday on the 24th April 2018 to conduct a sediment sampling survey using the 'mini' Hamon grab. A total of 60 stations will be sampled in replicate (n=5) for macrofauna and particle size distribution analyses. A tool box talk will be carried out, discussing the safe deployment, recovery and deck processing procedure, in advance of each watch encountering the gear. Following successful completion of the sediment sampling survey at the North East Farnes Deep MCZ, and a short transit to the neighbouring Farnes East MCZ, a seabed imagery survey will be conducted using the sledge mounted camera, telemetry and sensor system in the mud features at the southern end of the Farnes East MCZ site. Sediment samples will be also acquired from each seabed imagery station (n=90). Note, four of these stations will be sampled for sediment and fauna using the 'mini' Hamon grab with increased replication as they are 'sentinel' stations and part of the sedimentary broad scale habitat monitoring survey. A total of 16 sentinel stations will be surveyed using the 'mini' Hamon grab (two stations per sedimentary habitat) with increased replication. Up to 10 samples will acquired from each station (100m diameter target) for macrofauna and particle size distribution analyses. Seabed imagery using the drop frame OR sledge mounted camera will be conducted at each of these 16 stations if time permits. Seabed imagery will also be acquired from an additional 12 locations, identified as rock, using the drop frame camera. Sledge operations will be conducted first, followed by drop frame operations. The vessel will return to the Lowestoft quay on the HW tide (13:00 BST) of the 4th May 2018. |
| Chief scientist | Paul McIlwaine (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.19 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.25 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | Farnes East Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), North East of Farnes Deep MCZ. |
