FRV Scotia 1819S
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 1819S |
| Cruise period | 2019-11-28 — 2019-12-09 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To carry out catch comparison trials to compare the fishing performances of the two new survey trawl designs (BT237 and MI trawl) and the standard survey trawl BT137 GOV rigged with A gear. 2. To assess the fishing performance, in terms of gear geometry, of the BT237 and MI trawls 15 minute hauls will be made using Scanmar and bottom contact sensor on water depths ranging from 20 m to 100 m. Procedures General The fishing gear will be loaded aboard on 25 November and two trawls rigged prior to the start of the survey. Trawls will be rigged onto both net drums (top and lower) but exact trawl configurations to rig first with will be confirmed nearer at the start of the survey. The polyvalent doors will be used with all three trawls throughout the survey, spare set stored on the upper castles. Scotia will sail on 28 November and after all safety drills have been competed make passage for the Moray Firth where a shakedown haul will be made. Thereafter and weather permitting the intention is to work within the Moray Firth for the duration of the survey. Trawling operations will be conducted from 0700 until 2200. A small boat transfer will be required at a suitable port for the staff transfer on 3 December. The main objective of this survey is to compare the fishing performance between BT137 v MI trawl and BT137 v BT237 using the alternate haul method. Catch comparison hauls will consist of 15 to 30 minute tows depending on fish species mix on the grounds. The hauls will be paired and both paired hauls in a set must run along parallel fishing tracks. The aim is to keep the pattern, timing and environmental factors (daylight/dark periods) as constant as possible between the first and second tow in each set of paired hauls. During the survey gear geometry data and underwater observation using a self-recording camera will be made to assess the performance of specific area/sections of the two new test trawl designs. Survey schedule and operations will be decided by SIC after daily consultation with Captain and Fishing Master. The survey will finish in Aberdeen on 9 December with all staff, scientific equipment and most fishing gear returning to the Marine Laboratory. Some of the BT137 fishing gear and both sets of trawl doors will be left aboard for survey 0120S. |
| Chief scientist | Robert J Kynoch (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.02 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea Unknown |
| Specific | Moray Firth |
