RV Corystes CORY 2/06
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Corystes (74RY) |
| Cruise identifier | CORY 2/06 |
| Cruise period | 2006-02-19 — 2006-02-28 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | 1. To conduct a plankton survey using a 76cm Gulf VII plankton sampler to determine the distribution and abundance of cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglifinus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) eggs.
2. To remove fish eggs from fresh plankton samples at sea. To measure, stage and preserve these eggs in ethanol prior to species identification using a DNA technique on return to the laboratory. 3. To collect a surface nutrient sample at each of the sampling stations. 4. To collect surface chlorophyl samples every five sampling stations. 5. To collect supplementary sub-surface environmental data using a self-logging package carried on the Gulf VII plankton samplers. 6. To collect surface salinity samples at every third station for calibration of the CTDs 7. To collect surface phytoplankton sample at every third station for phytoplankton species identification. 8. To run trial transects using the Kiel Ichthyoplankton Video Camera system. 9. Optionally - To collect comparison ring net and PUP net samples for validation of the species selection characteristics of the PUP samplers. |
| Chief scientist | Steven Beggs (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland) |
| Project | MH003, Irish Sea cod assessments by egg production |
| Coordinating body | CEFAS |
| Cruise programme |  (0.03 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Irish Sea and St. George's Channel |
| Specific | Irish Sea |
| Track charts | (0.02 MB) |
| Measurements | |
| Physical oceanography | |
| Surface measurements underway (T,S) | Quantity: number of stations = 27 Description: Continuous recording of surface salinity and temperature via Seabird CTD |
| Water bottle stations | Quantity: number of stations = 27 Description: Samples of surface sea water collected during selected tows. Analysed ashore in order to compare with / validate PRONET CTD values. |
| CTD stations | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: CTD profiles recorded during plankton hauls by a PRONET CTD unit mounted on top of the sampler. |
| Chemical oceanography | |
| Phosphate | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Surface water samples collected at each station for later analysis ashore |
| Nitrate | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Surface water samples collected at each station for later analysis ashore |
| Nitrite | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Surface water samples collected at each station for later analysis ashore |
| Ammonia | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Surface water samples collected at each station for later analysis ashore |
| Silicate | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Surface water samples collected at each station for later analysis ashore |
| Biology and fisheries | |
| Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence) | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Samples of surface sea water filtered at every station, then preserved by freezing, for subsequent analysis ashore of chlorophyll pigments |
| Phytoplankton | Quantity: number of stations = 27 Description: Samples of surface sea water collected at selected stations, fixed using Lugols iodine, for subsequent analysis ashore |
| Eggs and larvae | Quantity: number of stations = 80 Description: Samples collected using Gulf VII plankton sampler, towed from surface to near bottom in 'V' shaped profile. Eggs and larvae collected in 270 micro metre mesh net. Cod-like eggs picked out and preserved in ethanol for species identification using genetic analysis. Remainder of sample preserved in formalin for identification and enumeration ashore. |
