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RV Cefas Endeavour 5/07

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9)
Cruise identifier5/07
Cruise period2007-03-17 — 2007-04-30
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSwansea, United Kingdom
Port of returnWeymouth, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesAims

1. To carry out a stratified random design beam trawl survey of the western Channel for stock assessment purposes using two standardized 4m beam trawls in order to obtain information on:
a) Distribution, size composition and abundance of all fish species caught.
b) Age - length distribution of selected species.
c) Distribution of fish in relation to their environment.
d) Distribution of macrobenthos.
e) Surface and bottom temperature and salinity data using CTD.
f) Length weight & maturity information using individual fish measurements, in support of the EU Data Regulation.

2. To collect acoustic seabed data using QTC View and Multibeam sonar, and to collect fisheries acoustic data using multi-frequency splitbeam echosounder. An attempt will be made to use this data to determine habitats and the scale at which these vary.

3. To tag large adult sole with data storage tags in order to determine the seasonal patterns of migration.

Narrative

Three scientists joined Cefas Endeavour on 15 March 2007 to liaise with the ships crew over repairing the surveys beam trawls whilst the ship was in dock the following day. Work was undertaken on the gear and the beams were repaired to the necessary high standard required for this survey. Beam 1 was fitted to the starboard side and fitted with the 40mm blinder (Gearcode 101530403). The port beam (Beam 2) was fished using just the commercial 80mm codend supplied by the manufacturer (Gearcode 101530502). The remaining scientific staff met Cefas Endeavour at 17:00 on 16 March, and plans were made for sailing. With weather reports suggesting inclement weather was imminent, it was decided to begin the survey around the Scilly Isles in order to get the exposed stations completed before the weather hit. We therefore sailed from Swansea at 13:00 on 17 March 2007 with the aim of reaching the Scilly Isles by first light on 18 March to commence the survey.
Chief scientistMatthew Parker Humphreys (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Coordinating bodyCEFAS
Cruise programmeRV Cefas Endeavour 5/07 cruise programme endeavour5_07.pdf  (0.01 MB) 
Cruise reportRV Cefas Endeavour 5/07 cruise report endeavour5_07.pdf (0.12 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralEnglish Channel
Celtic Sea
SpecificWestern Channel Portland and Channel Island waters (ICES area VIIE).