Resources

RV Cefas Endeavour 16/18

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9)
Cruise identifier16/18
Cruise period2018-09-12 — 2018-10-03
StatusCompleted
Port of departureLowestoft, United Kingdom
Port of returnSwansea, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesAims

1. To carry out a 4m beam-trawl survey of groundfish to i) obtain fisheries independent data on the distribution and abundance of commercial flatfish species, and ii) derive age compositions of sole (Solea solea), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), cod (Gadus morhua) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) for use in stock assessments.
2. To collect biological data including maturity and weight at age of sole, plaice, lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) and other commercially important finfish species as part of CEFAS' requirements under the EU Data Collection Framework.
3. To determine the distribution and relative abundance of juvenile and adult sole and plaice.
4. To collect surface & bottom temperature/salinity data using CTD and Niskin Bottle.
5. To quantify epibenthos using 4m beam trawl by-catch.
6. Collect length/weight & maturity information using individual fish measurements, in support of the EU Data Collection Framework.
7. To collect surface sea-water samples for processing on return to Lowestoft for the analysis of tritium.
8. To collect fish samples in support of other Cefas and non-Cefas projects and training courses.
9. To collect samples of demersal fish using a Granton trawl for chemical analysis from the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Western English Channel in support of the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Program (CSEMP) (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments).
10. To collect fish samples at CSEMP sites for fish disease biochemical markers (e.g. EROD and bile metabolites analysis) (UK specific Indicator Assessments).
11. To sample representative CSEMP stations using day grab, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metal contaminants, organic contaminants (PCBs, PBDEs and HBCD), sediment particle size analysis (PSA), benthic fauna and marine litter ((OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments).
12. To conduct marine litter surveys (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments) by collecting benthic litter information from the trawls and collecting sediment samples for litter analysis.
Chief scientistStephen Shaw (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Cruise programmeRV Cefas Endeavour 16/18 cruise programme endeavour16_18.pdf  (0.16 MB) 
Cruise reportRV Cefas Endeavour 16/18 cruise report endeavour16_18.pdf (1.47 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIrish Sea and St. George's Channel
Bristol Channel
Celtic Sea
SpecificICES areas VIIa, VIIf and VIIg