FRV Alba Na Mara 0809A
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | FRV Alba Na Mara (74NM) |
| Cruise identifier | 0809A |
| Cruise period | 2009-05-12 — 2009-05-31 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Ullapool, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Fraserburgh, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Fisheries |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To finalise the location of 3 replicate sites after ground truthing using the UW camera system; 2. To estimates species number and abundance in 9 predetermined areas in and around the Firth of Lorn SAC using UW camera and, where necessary, grab sampling techniques; 3. To scallop dredge at least 3 sub-sites immediately outside the SAC using a commercial charter vessel; 4. To re-survey the 3 impact sub-sites on the same basis as objective 1 within a 4 day survey period; 5. To collect sediment from predetermined areas for the purposes of particle size analysis. Narrative M Harding and P Boulcott joined Alba na Mara at 1130 (all times GMT) on Tuesday 12 May in Ullapool, with M Burns having joined the vessel the previous day. Alba na Mara departed at midday and made passage to the Firth of Lorn, stopping for the evening at Loch Hourn. Passage resumed the following day at 0700, with Alba na Mara arriving at her anchorage in Loch Buie, Mull at 1900. The next two days were spent assessing the suitability of 5 potential sites in the Firth of Lorn using the camera drop frame. The three sites chosen for study were areas west of the Garvellachs, southeast of the Eilean Dubh Mor, and off the northwest coast of Jura. Each site was split into three sub-sites: an impact site that would be dredged after initial survey, a nearby control site, and an additional control site situated within the SAC boundary. Six of the nine study sub-sites were redrawn at this stage in order to meet criterion set out by the study design. Thereafter, from 15 to 28 May, Alba na Mara surveyed each of the three designated sites. During this period, Alba na Mara recorded digital stills images and side elevation and overhead video footage over multiple stations at each of the sub-sites. Working in conjunction with the chartered vessel, Rambling Rose, surveys of the three sub-sites assigned to the dredge treatment were dredged and surveyed successfully. All relevant controls were also completed within schedule. In order to collect data on infauna, grab samples were collected by the Rambling Rose from the sandier site of the three; the site which lay to the northwest of Jura. Additional grab samples were taken from each of the three sites by the Rambling Rose for the purposes of particle size analysis. The half landing for the cruise took place in Oban on 20 May. A further, unscheduled return to Oban was made on 25 May for a crew changeover. Alba na Mara spent the final working day of the cruise, 28 May, reconfiguring the camera set-up and test photographing an additional area of the seabed immediately to the south of the Garvellachs. Passage was made for Fraserburgh at 1700 on Thursday 28 May. Steaming through the night and the following day Alba na Mara found anchor in Cullen Bay at 0400 on 30 May. The journey was resumed at 1415 and Alba na Mara arrived in Fraserburgh harbour at 1745 on 30 May. |
| Chief scientist | Philip Boulcott (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory) |
| Project | MF02Q |
| Cruise programme |  (0.05 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.07 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland |
| Specific | Firth of Lorn |
| Track charts | (0.05 MB) |
