RV Cefas Endeavour 03B/23
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9) |
| Cruise identifier | 03B/23 |
| Cruise period | 2023-03-13 — 2023-03-17 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Swansea, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Swansea, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Aims
1. To carry out a one-off integrated pelagic survey in Cardigan Bay in March (postponed from October 2022 due to technical issues) for the Welsh Government; estimate the biomass of-, and gain insight into the populations of the small pelagic fish community including sprat (Sprattus sprattus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). Timing of the survey is focussed on presumed spawning period of sprat. a. To carry out a fisheries acoustic survey during daylight hours only using five operating frequencies (38, 70, 120, 200 and 333 kHz) to map and quantify the small pelagic species community. b. To conduct approximately eight trawls targeting small pelagic species using a 20x40m VDK herring (mid-water) trawl in order to obtain information on: - Species and size composition of acoustic marks - Age-composition and distribution, for small pelagic species - Length weight and maturity information of pelagic species 2. To collect biological data (size, weight, age and maturity) on range of data-limited fish species, including European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), garfish (Belone belone), saury pike (Scomberesox saurus). 3. To collect plankton samples using two ring-nets with 80 μm, and 270 μm mesh sizes at fixed stations. Carried out at night by vertical haul: a. Ichthyoplankton (eggs and larvae, 270 μm) of pelagic species will be identified, counted and (in case of clupeids) staged and measured onboard (where possible) to identify spawning areas. b. Zooplankton (80 μm) will be stored for zooscan analysis back in the lab. 4. Water column sampling. At fixed stations along the acoustic transect, a CTD (either an ESM2 profiler or a Seabird mounted on a Rosette sampler) will be deployed to obtain measurements of environmental properties within the water column. Water column profile and water samples will provide information on chlorophyll concentration, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, turbidity, and dissolved inorganic nutrients concentration as well as the relevant QA/QC samples for calibration of the equipment. Water samples will be collected and fixed on board for analysis post-survey. Samples for analysis of the phytoplankton and microzooplankton communities will also be collected at the subsurface at fixed sampling stations. 5. Seabirds and Marine Mammals. Locations, species, numbers and activities observed will be recorded continuously during daylight hours by two Marinelife observers located on the bridge. 6. Ferrybox Continuous CTD/Thermo-salinograph. Continuously collect oceanographic data at 4 m depth during steaming, including chlorophyll concentration (from calibrated fluorescence). 7. Genomic sampling of particular fish species to improve the methodology to assess finfish, pelagic, data-limited, and non-quota UK priority stocks. 8. Record macro-litter observations in the trawl. 9. Photograph (in situ), collect (freeze) any isopod and crustacean ecto-parasites. Narrative in attached cruise report. |
| Chief scientist | Fabio Campanella (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory), Jeroen Van der Kooij (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory), Joana F Silva (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.28 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.32 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Bristol Channel Unknown |
| Specific | Cardigan Bay and Bristol Channel (ICES divisions VIIa and VIIf) |
