Resources

RV Cefas Endeavour 3/08

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9)
Cruise identifier3/08
Cruise period2008-02-08 — 2008-02-21
StatusCompleted
Port of departureBelfast, United Kingdom
Port of returnBelfast, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesAims

1. Carry out simultaneous acoustic and trawl surveys of known cod, haddock and plaice spawning areas to examine whether the different techniques yield a different perception of fish distribution and behaviour in the water column.

2. Carry out comparative trawl tows during daylight and darkness to examine whether the different techniques yield a different perception of fish distribution and behaviour in the water column.

3. Collect information on the body condition (including weight, and hepatosomatic index), and reproductive status (sex, age, maturity, gonad weight) of cod, haddock and plaice on spawning grounds in the Irish Sea.

4. Collect biopsy samples from the ovaries of female cod and plaice, to determine the reproductive status, egg size etc. (for MEMFISH and ISEPS projects).

5. Determine whether plaice, haddock and cod in spawning aggregations are consuming food, and if so - what, by examining stomach contents and stomach fullness.

6. Tag and release adult cod, haddock and plaice on spawning grounds using 'conventional' (non DST) tagging techniques, to determine possible movement patterns in the east and west Irish Sea.

7. Determine the habitat characteristics (depth, bottom profile, temperature, salinity) associated with cod, haddock and plaice spawning aggregations, using acoustics, CTD data (attached to the trawl net) and monitoring of the ships continuous seawater intake system.

8. Record any sightings of the jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus, marine mammals and sea turtles.

Narrative

Endeavour set sail from Belfast (Richardson's Wharf) at 08:00 on the morning of the 8th February and crossed the Irish Sea to Liverpool Bay. Heavy weather slowed progress during the crossing, with the result that it was not possible to start trawling at 18:00 as originally planned. Endeavour passed the Calf of Man at ~18:00 and took shelter off the North Wales coast, rather than proceeding to station A1 as o
Chief scientistJohn Pinnegar (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory)
Coordinating bodyCEFAS
Cruise programmeRV Cefas Endeavour 3/08 cruise programme endeavour3_08.pdf  (0.05 MB) 
Cruise reportRV Cefas Endeavour 3/08 cruise report endeavour3_08.pdf (0.33 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIrish Sea and St. George's Channel
SpecificIrish Sea (Liverpool Bay, off Dundalk/Dundrum Bay)
Track chartsRV Cefas Endeavour 3/08 cruise track — endeavour3_08trk.pdf (0.02 MB)