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FRV Alba Na Mara 0621A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier0621A
Cruise period2021-05-08 — 2021-05-28
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To carry out a survey of scallop stocks on the east coast of Scotland.
2. To age, measure and assess shell damage on all scallops caught.
3. To collect whole scallops for heavy metal testing as part of the OSPAR assessment of hazardous substances in the marine environment.
4. To collect information on by-catch of other commercial fish and shellfish species.
5. To identify and quantify numbers of starfish species in all dredge tows
6. To record and retain marine litter obtained during the dredging process ( for MSFD).

Procedure

The survey will depart Fraserburgh on 08 May (weather dependent) and, after vessel drills, fishing will commence at the stations nearest Fraserburgh. Some stations have been completed during the previous survey, due to technical issues with the vessel, the ship had to return to Fraserburgh for repairs. Once repaired the decision was taken to undertake east coast stations, as time did not permit the vessel to return to the previous survey area.

Scallop dredge hauls will be made at sites used on previous surveys. Hauls will be of 30 minutes duration. From each haul, all of the scallops 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.

The vessel will return to Fraserburgh for 28 May.
Chief scientistJohn Turriff (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 0621A cruise programme 0621a.pdf  (0.12 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
Unknown
SpecificNorthwestern North Sea, Moray Firth.