Allegiance NSW2010

Cruise plan

Cruise Info.
Ship name (ship code)	Allegiance (74T3)
Cruise identifier	NSW2010
Cruise period	2010-05-31 — 2010-06-30
Status	Completed
Port of departure	Lerwick, United Kingdom
Port of return	Peterhead, United Kingdom
Purpose	Research
Objectives	The North Sea whitefish (NSW) survey is designed to provide a time-series of information on commercial vessel catch per unit effort from representative fishing grounds within the North Sea. Initially the data will be used for evaluating comparative catch rates at age, for example against research vessel catches, and if and when the time-series is of sufficient length, to support the estimation of stock trends. The vessel uses a combination of traditional English fishing gears appropriate to hard and soft ground in order to provide information on comparative catch rates. The tows are distributed over subareas defined to provide information on catch rate, size/age composition and species catch composition from as many different locations as feasible, given time and cost constraints, within the area where the fishery takes place, and not necessarily at constant locations each year. The size of the whole catch is recorded, but detailed measurements are made of the catches of cod, whiting and haddock, and of plaice if resources permit.
Chief scientist	Christopher Darby (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Ocean/sea areas
General	North Sea