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FRV Alba Na Mara 0222A

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM)
Cruise identifier0222A
Cruise period2022-01-26 — 2022-02-10
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

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

Procedure

The survey will depart Fraserburgh on 26 January (weather dependent) and, after vessel drills, make passage for Shetland. Scallop dredge hauls will be selected from 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. In addition, numbers and size distribution of commercial fish and shellfish species will be recorded along with scallop shell damage and starfish numbers and species. Scallops (ten individuals per station) will also be collected from selected sites and frozen for heavy metal analysis back at the laboratory. Any litter collected in the dredges will be recorded as set out in the SOP and placed in bags to be disposed of on return to port.

Dredge tows will be operated in daylight hours, with vessel transits operable out with this period. The survey will end in Fraserburgh on 10 February.
Chief scientistShona Kinnear (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Alba Na Mara 0222A cruise programme 0222a.pdf  (0.05 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificShetland