FRV Scotia 1122S
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Scotia (748S) |
| Cruise identifier | 1122S |
| Cruise period | 2022-09-14 — 2022-09-26 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Ullapool, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
- To undertake the bottom trawl survey of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and other species covering Rockall Bank to a depth of 350 m. - To deploy a CTD at selected trawl stations to collect temperature and salinity profiles. - To undertake broad-scale habitat mapping in nearby UK / NEAFC-designated protected areas and/or other features of interest. - To record marine litter at each trawl station for MSFD. Procedure The primary objective of this part of the survey is to assess the state of the haddock stock on the Rockall Plateau. The Rockall haddock survey employs a semi-random stratified design over four depth-bounded sampling strata to a maximum depth of 350 m. Sampling intensity within each of the four strata reflects the fish density observed in each of these during previous surveys. Trawling will be carried out, as far as possible during the hours of daylight, at random locations within each strata. Forty primary trawl positions have been generated. The number of stations within each depth strata for 2022 is as follows: 0-150 m stratum: 4 stations, 150-200 m stratum: 21 stations, 200-250 m stratum: 10 stations and the 250-350 m stratum: 5 stations. Scotia will undertake a trawl within a five nautical miles of each station where possible or, failing that, choose an alternative. A further 20 secondary random stations across the various strata have been generated to provide a source of additional and/or alternatives should any primary station prove unfishable. Where time allows additional hauls will be conducted outside our strata (at depth range 350-500 m) and ten positions have been picked for this eventually. The survey does not intend undertaking trawls inside protected areas other than the Rockall Haddock Box (RHB). The relevant regulatory body (NEAFC) in the case of RHB has been informed in advance. One trawl of 30 minutes duration will be made at each sampling station. Daily start times for survey trawl stations will be at approximately 0600 hours and continue until approximately 1800 hours; these hours though must be considered adaptive. The Scanmar system will be used to monitor and record wing spread, door spread and distance covered during each haul. A bottom contact sensor will be mounted on the footrope to monitor seabed contact. Catches will be worked up according to the protocols for International Bottom Trawl Surveys. Conditions permitting Scotia will switch to broad-scale habitat mapping outside the hours of trawl survey using HD cameras mounted on towed underwater vehicle (VMUX chariot) or dropframe. Exact locations of habitat mapping will be provided on a daily basis subject to assessment of survey progress and prevailing conditions. Logistics and sea conditions permitting, an acoustic monitoring mooring deployed at a depth of 298m at position 56° 35.97N, 14° 18.00W will be recovered. A CTD will be deployed at selected trawl stations to collect environmental data. |
| Chief scientist | James Drewery (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.33 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W) |
| Specific | Rockall Bank |
