Zenith 0808H
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | Zenith (74ZN) |
| Cruise identifier | 0808H |
| Cruise period | 2008-04-14 — 2008-04-28 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To measure the selectivity of an 80mm diamond mesh codend with a 110mm square mesh panel (SMP) rigged into the trawls tapered section and positioned 15-18m from the codline. 2. To measure the selectivity of an 80mm diamond mesh codend with a 120mm square mesh panel (SMP) rigged into the trawls tapered section and positioned 15-18m from the codline. 3. To measure the selectivity of a 90mm diamond mesh codend with a 110mm square mesh panel (SMP) rigged into the trawls tapered section and positioned 15-18m from the codline. 4. If time allows, measure the selectivity of a 90mm diamond mesh codend but with less open meshes in the circumference and with the same SMP configuration as Objective 3. Narrative Staff and equipment joined Zenith at Fraserburgh on 14 April 2008. Staff commenced rigging the fishing gear, wheelhouse instrumentation and fish measuring station aboard the vessel alongside Fraserburgh harbour. The vessel sailed on the morning of 15 April for shake-down hauls in the Moray Firth approximately 10nmiles from Fraserburgh. It became apparent after the second haul that the performance of the 110mm SMP was extremely poor with very few if any haddock escapes occurring. Therefore, the decision was made to return to Fraserburgh on the evening of 15 April to re-rig the gear. The modifications entailed moving the panel closer towards the end of the nets tapered section and extending the length of the straight extension. After these alterations the panel was now 5 meshes from the end of the tapered section and 15-18m from the codline. The vessel sailed on the evening of 15 April to commercial grounds approximately 80 nautical miles NE of Fraserburgh. Thereafter selectivity hauls were made for the remainder of the trials in this area and on ground in the outer Moray Firth. A port call was made into Fraserburgh on the 22 April and the cruise ended on the 28 April with all staff and equipment returning to Aberdeen. |
| Chief scientist | Robert J Kynoch (Fisheries Research Services Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Coordinating body | FRS |
| Cruise programme |  (0.02 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.01 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Sea |
| Specific | Fladdens & Bressay fishing grounds |
