Resources

FRV Goldseeker 9/75

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Goldseeker (74GO)
Cruise identifier9/75
Cruise period1975-09-09 — 1975-10-01
StatusCompleted
Port of returnBuckie, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1. To observe the operation, efficiency and selectivity of standard and modified scallop dredges.
2. To obtain cine film and still photographs of the gear in action.
3. To observe the effect of dredges on the sea bed and its inhabitants.
4. To study the reactions of scallops and queens to gear.
5. To study the escape and release of scallops from the dredge on different types of sea bed and to compare the mortality of scallops caught with those of scallops rejected or released by the dredge and others from unfished areas.
6. To determine the densities and population composition of scallops and queens on different grounds. In particular the abundance and distribution of 0-group animals was to be noted.
7. To undertake time-lapse camera studies of scallop and queen behaviour.
8. To record the movements of edible crabs by ultrasonic tracking.
Chief scientistColin J Chapman (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory), James Mason (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise reportFRV Goldseeker 9/75 cruise report goldseeker09_75.pdf (0.19 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
SpecificKilbrannan Sound, Loch Fyne, off Arran, Easdale Bay
Measurements 
Biology and fisheries 
MolluscsQuantity: number of specimens = 141
Description: 49 scallops collected by divers from an unfished area, 19 caught by 5 min dedge haul, 28 caught by 20 min dredge haul and 45 collected from the dredge track. The animals were placed in netting enclosures on the sea bed and examined periodically, survivors were released at the end of the cruise
Geology and geophysics 
DredgeQuantity: number of observations = 21
Description: Divers observed 3 gears: a) 6 observations of the standard dredge with toothed bar, b) 5 observations of the standard dredge with 'wings' projecting forward of the toothed bar on each side, c) 10 observations of the commercial dredge with spring-loaded toothed bar. 2 dredges were towed on a bar fitted with rubber disc bobbins to maintain a constant bar height and tooth angle of attack
Bottom photographyQuantity: number of images = 300
Description: Still photographs and 1150 feet of cine film were shot to illustrate the dredgeing operation and other aspects of work