Mainly western Irish Sea with some limited coverage east of the Isle of Man

Zooplankton and zoobenthos morphological parameters; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column; Salinity of the water column; Temperature of the water column; Zooplankton taxonomy-related abundance per unit volume of the water column; Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column; Zooplankton and zoobenthos development stage parameters; Zooplankton egg hatch proportion; Silicate concentration parameters in the water column

Nutrient analysers; plankton nets; discrete water samplers; salinity sensor

1982: Five surveys of 60-80 samples were carried out to estimate the spawning stock biomass of the western Irish Sea Nephrops. Plankton samples were sorted and all fish eggs and larvae were identified to species level where possible. Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) larvae were also sorted and staged into 4 developmental stages. Seasonal production estimates and mortality rates have been calculated for Nephrops. Temperature and salinity 'V' shape profiles are available at each sampling position. Surface salinity values are available from bottle samples and nutrient data (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate) are available from each sampling position. 1985: Four surveys of 70-90 stations were carried out to estimate the spawning stock biomass of Western Irish Sea Nephrops. The analysis was as described for 1982. Environmental parameters were also as described above for 1982.

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR33 OHT
United Kingdom