RV Cefas Endeavour 4/08
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9) |
| Cruise identifier | 4/08 |
| Cruise period | 2008-02-22 — 2008-03-02 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Swansea, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | This R&D cruise was designed to estimate the distribution and abundance of plaice eggs and larvae in the Liverpool Bay spawning area, using various plankton sampling devices. Once a patch of eggs or larvae had been determined, trawling was undertaken to estimate the distribution and abundance of predators. The predators were then sampled and frozen (either stomach contents or whole individuals) for subsequent analysis in an attempt to identify prey items by molecular techniques. |
| Chief scientist | Stephen Paul Milligan (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Coordinating body | CEFAS |
| Cruise programme |  (0.02 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.09 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Irish Sea and St. George's Channel |
| Specific | Irish Sea |
| Measurements | |
| Physical oceanography | |
| Surface measurements underway (T,S) | Quantity: track kilometres = 1481.6 Description: Continuous logging of sub-surface (3m) salinity and temperature |
| Water bottle stations | Quantity: number of samples = 30 Description: Sub-surface water bottle samples collected underway for salinity analysis. |
| Biology and fisheries | |
| Eggs and larvae | Quantity: number of stations = 30 Description: Gulf VII type plankton sampler, deployed on double oblique 'V' profiles whilst steaming at 4.5 Kts. The samplers utilise a calibrated CTD. Zooplankton samples analysed for fish eggs and larvae only. |
| Eggs and larvae | Quantity: number of stations = 3 Description: Hyperbenthic sledge deployed for 5-10mins on bottom. 4 nets on each deployment. Zooplankton samples analysed for fish eggs and larvae only. |
| Pelagic fish | Quantity: number of stations = 12 Description: PHHT trawl used to collect fecundity samples from mature female fish |
| Demersal fish | Quantity: number of stations = 12 Description: PHHT trawl used to collect fecundity samples from mature female fish |
| Acoustic reflection on marine organisms. | Quantity: track kilometres = 370 Description: 2 Acoustic survey grids (approx 100nmls each) searching for predators and prey. |
