Resources

RRS Discovery D260

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD260
Cruise period2002-03-06 — 2002-03-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSouthampton, United Kingdom
Port of returnSouthampton, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesFourth in a series of five cruises investigating the activity, behaviour and distribution of deep-sea scavenging fish.
Main tasks:
1) Trawling (OTSB) to sample deep-sea fish and invertebrates for a range of studies.
2) Lander deployments to observe in situ behaviour of deep-sea fish.
3) Lander experiments to investigate bioluminescence.
4) Box-coring to sample deep-sea corals.
Chief scientistMartin A Collins (University of Aberdeen, Oceanlab)
ProjectMetabolism, activity and distribution of deep demersal fishes
Coordinating bodyNERC GR3/12789
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D260 cruise report d260.pdf (0.96 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificPorcupine Seabight
Track chartsRRS Discovery D260 cruise track — d260trk.pdf (0.07 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 3
Description: CTD drops
Biology and fisheries 
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of hauls = 16
Description: Vertical plankton hauls
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of deployments = 2
Description: Box core on coral mounds
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 5
Description: Bioluminescence lander
Demersal fishQuantity: number of stations = 4
Description: 'Spring' lander measuring fast start or startle responses of fish
Demersal fishQuantity: number of stations = 2
Description: 'FRSP' lander measuring in situ oxygen consumption of deep-sea fish
Demersal fishQuantity: number of stations = 8
Description: Otter trawls at depths of 1000 - 4200 m
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Biology and fisheries 
Other biological/fisheries measurement49° 58' 59" N  13° 33' 0" W — Deep ocean benthic observatory carrying ADCP, current meter, time-lapse camera. Recovered and re-deployed.