RV Cirolana CIR3/00
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Cirolana (74CZ) |
| Cruise identifier | CIR3/00 |
| Cruise period | 2000-04-05 — 2000-04-27 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Lowestoft, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Lowestoft, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | 1. To conduct a plankton survey using a Gulf VII high-speed plankton sampler to determine the distribution and abundance of plaice and cod eggs in the Irish Sea. To ultimately estimate the spawning stock biomass of these two species using the Annual Egg Production method (AEP).
2. Fish eggs were sorted from fresh plankton samples and frozen individually for subsequent species identification using iso-electric focusing. 3. To carry out a population survey and collect biological information and samples of mature plaice and cod using a Portuguese high-leadline trawl. 4. To continuously monitor sub-surface, temperature, salinity and nutrients (3m). |
| Chief scientist | Stephen Paul Milligan (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Project | EU project DG XIV 98/090 |
| Coordinating body | Dr. M. Armstrong, DARD/QUB, Belfast |
| Cruise report |  (0.23 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Irish Sea and St. George's Channel |
| Specific | between 53deg 00'N and 55deg 00'N |
| Track charts |  |
| Measurements | |
| Physical oceanography | |
| CTD stations | Quantity: number of stations = 153 Description: CTD profiles ('V' shaped) on plankton sampler stations |
| Subsurface temperature and salinity measurements | Quantity: activity duration in days = 18 Description: 3m depth T & S, measurements. Logged every 15 mins. Of cruise track + every 1 minute while on plankton stations. (Some continuous nutrient data may be available). |
| Other physical oceanographic measurements | Quantity: number of samples = 75 Description: Surface seawater samples on alternate plankton stations, for subsequent salinity analysis |
| Chemical oceanography | |
| Nitrate | Quantity: number of samples = 153 Description: Frozen surface seawater samples for nutrient analysis (1 from each plankton station) |
| Biology and fisheries | |
| Phytoplankton | Quantity: number of samples = 19 Description: Surface seawater samples fixed in Lugals Iodine for subsequent phytoplankton analysis |
| Zooplankton | Quantity: number of samples = 153 Description: Fine mesh (64 um) net attached to above sampler |
| Eggs and larvae | Quantity: number of samples = 153 Description: 'V' high-speed plankton hauls - 280um mesh net. |
| Other biological/fisheries measurement | Quantity: number of stations = 50 Description: Demersal and pelagic fish data from Portuguese high-leadline trawl hauls, including total weight of every species, length measurements, otolith collections, assessment of maturity, ovary collection. |
