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RV Cefas Endeavour 17A/22

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9)
Cruise identifier17A/22
Cruise period2022-11-12 — 2022-11-21
StatusCompleted
Port of departurePortland Harbour, United Kingdom
Port of returnLiverpool, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesPrimary Aims

1. To collect samples of demersal fish for chemical analysis from the North Sea, and English Channel in support of the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP) (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments).
2. To collect fish samples at CSEMP sites for fish disease, biochemical markers (e.g. EROD and bile metabolites analysis and AChE) (UK specific Indicator Assessments).
3. To sample representative CSEMP stations using day grab, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metal contaminants, organic contaminants (PCBs, PBDEs), sediment particle size analysis (PSA) and marine litter (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments).
4. To conduct marine litter surveys of seafloor macrolitter (following the ICES guidelines) and microplastics in sediment and biota, to gather data towards the OSPAR Commission Common Indicator and UK Evidence Group marine litter indicators.
5. To conduct marine litter surveys (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments) by collecting benthic litter information from collecting sediment samples for litter analysis.
6. To conduct manta trawl sampling of surface waters for microplastics, to gather data and evidence towards method and indicator assessment developments, supported by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP).
7. To conduct opportunistic sampling of seafloor macro litter for Non-Native Species (NNS) research and development under the Clean Atlantic 2 programme.
8. Dab stomach content analysis to feed into the dabstats database to assess benthic community changes over time.

Secondary Aims

1. To collect water conductivity, temperature, nutrient, and depth information, and Plankton community information to provide additional knowledge on Eutrophication levels (OSPAR Common indicator and UK specific Indicator assessments). Calibration exercise at Liverpool Bay (53.5333, -3.35) using CTD Rosette.
2. To collect additional fish for the EA and NRW to analyse as part of their Water Framework Regulations remit. EA require 9 fish from stations 534, 584, 706, 715, 769, 796 and Liverpool Bay trend. NRW require up to 9 Dab from Welsh stations 616, 649, 654 and 776.
3. To collect mackerel and sediment from four stations (English Channel, Celtic Sea, Cardigan Bay, and Irish Sea) following a request via the Working Group on Marine Chemistry (MCWG). Samples will be collected as close as possible to complementary fishing and sediment stations. Samples will used to investigate the distribution of a specific mackerel parasite as part of a large international study.

Tertiary Aims

1. To collect sediment samples using a day grab to detect rapid toxicity within sediments samples using the Microtox® rapid test methodology.

Narrative in attached cruise report.
Chief scientistFreya Goodsir (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Cruise reportRV Cefas Endeavour 17A/22 cruise report endeavour17a_22.pdf (8.46 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralEnglish Channel
Irish Sea and St. George's Channel
Celtic Sea