2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Small Isles, Canna benthic camera and infaunal survey
The purpose of this benthic survey around Canna, Small Isles, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by SNH for SNH between the 17th and 20th June 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 75 sites in the area. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal grab survey was also undertaken on this survey on the 19th and 20th June 2011 at 21 sites to validate the continued presence of PMFs and to supplement existing records in the Sound of Canna. SNH contracted Seastar Survey Ltd to undertake infaunal analysis of the grab samples. SNH used the SEPA vessel SV Sir John Murray for this survey - video footage was collected from the Sound of Sleat, Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis on the same cruise.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000178-MRSNH0160000000A-SMI
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C.G. (2012). An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 507; Axelsson, M., Allen, C. and Dewey, S. (2012). Infaunal analysis of grab samples collected from Canna, Small Isles, in June 2011. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 504.
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-6.9100
-6.1352
57.1682
56.8242
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
42E3
creation
2009-05-01
43E3
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2011-06-17
2011-06-20
publication
2012-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from around Canna, small Isles, was collected by SNH between the 17th and 20th June 2011 onboard the SEPA vessel SV Sir John Murray. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 75 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed. Still photographs were also taken using a video fram grab system on this survey Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs, with positions also available every minute for this survey. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Dr Colin Moore, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using time. Segmentation of runs was not practicable in the case of mosaics of recurring biotopes, in which case all biotopes observed were simply listed. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance according to a number of additional criteria, including citation on the following lists: the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (lower risk category), the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats and the Scottish Biodiversity List. Infaunal samples were collected at 21 stations in the Sound of Canna using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling stations for grabs were selected based on the presence of historical records of PMFs and MPA search features within the sound. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. The samples each had a 5cm core subsample retrieved for particle size analysis (PSA), before being sieved by hand through a 1mm mesh size. Any material retained on the sieve was transferred to a labelled container before being fixed with a buffered 4% formaldehyde solution. PSA was undertaken by Seastar using a combination of wet and dry sieving techniques. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurrences that SNH consider as sensitive; all records may therefore be released in response to requests covered by Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information Regulations; additionally its re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.
No restrictions on public access
SeaStar Survey
originator
Consultant
No organisation
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2020-03-05