Resources

Unity 0507H

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)Unity (74UT)
Cruise identifier0507H
Cruise period2007-06-04 — 2007-06-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFraserburgh, United Kingdom
Port of returnFraserburgh, United Kingdom
PurposeFisheries
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To carry out mackerel egg survey (ICES Triennial Survey), on the western shelf edge.
2. To collect fish samples from trawling for atresia and maturity assessment.

Narrative

Unity sailed from Fraserburgh at 1200 on the 4 June and proceeded into the Buchan Deeps to test the samplers and calibrate the flowmeters. Unity then headed north towards the first plankton station at 59 45N, 4 45W arriving at approximately 0400 hours on the 5 June to commence the survey. Survey stations were then taken at 30'E/W intervals, on transects separated by one degree of latitude. Problems with the Seabird 19 CTD as well as previously unnoticed damage to one of the Gulf VII sampler nosecones meant an impromptu visit to Stornoway on the morning of the 7 June in order to pick up spares for the CTD and to effect repairs on the sampler nosecone. Surveying commenced once again on the afternoon of the 7 close to the west side of Lewis before heading south and then west using the same sample spacing as previously described. Unforeseen circumstances resulted in an FRS staff member being put ashore on Barra on the morning of the 9 June to fly home. Unity then headed south and then skirted west along the north coast of Ireland before crossing the shelf break and continuing west as far as 14 45W when Unity headed back east on the 54 45N transect. Replacement personnel were picked up on the morning of the 12 from Killybegs where the vessel also took on fresh water. Having left Killybegs Unity commenced sampling again at 1600 heading west over the shelf break at 54 45N before cutting back onto the shelf and then heading west once more along the transect at 54 15N. A half landing was made in Galway on the 15 June for 24 hours before the vessel continued surveying south using the same sample spacing as before until the southern survey boundary at 51 45N was reached. Once completed, Unity headed north interlacing with transects completed during the first run. Sampling effort on the return run was concentrated around areas of high mackerel and horse mackerel egg abundance, which were highlighted during the initial outward run. The last sample was completed by 2030 at 59 45N, 4 45W and the vessel was alongside by 0830 hours on the 24 June.
Chief scientistFinlay Burns (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
ProjectRV0706
Coordinating bodyFRS
Cruise programmeUnity 0507H cruise programme 0507h.pdf  (0.17 MB) 
Cruise reportUnity 0507H cruise report 0507h.pdf (0.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificNE Atlantic, off West coast of Scotland and Ireland. Western shelf edge
Track chartsUnity 0507H cruise track — 0507htrk.pdf (0.06 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 161
Biology and fisheries 
Eggs and larvaeQuantity: number of stations = 161
Pelagic fishQuantity: number of hauls = 9
Description: for adult fish to collect samples for fecundity and atresia assessment.