Fixed station grid covering Irish Sea, reduced to NW Irish Sea from 1987 onwards

Fish morphology, age and physiology; Fish abundance in water bodies; Fish taxonomy-related abundance per unit area of the bed; Salinity of the water column; Temperature of the water column; Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance; Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts

Plankton nets; benthos samplers; salinity sensor

The original survey, from 1979 to 1986, consisted of 32 stations stratified by 4 sections (NW, NE, SW, SE Irish Sea) and 2 depth zones (less and more than 50m) carried out in daylight only. A reduced survey of 12 stations between the Isle of Man and Irish coast was instigated in 1987. The main objective was to determine the relative abundance of pre-recruit cod and whiting to give an early prediction of recruitment to Irish Sea fisheries for use by assessment working groups. Data were also collected on the distribution and abundance of all fish species and some commercial shellfish.

Brander, K.M. and Symonds, D.J. (1984) Gadoid recruitment surveys, Irish Sea, 1979-81. Annual reports in subsequent Annl. Biol. to 1986. MAFF, Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft., Annl. Biol. Copen., 38 256-260.

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