2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland (MS) North-west sea lochs (Wester Ross) benthic camera and grab survey
The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1213A) in the North-west sea lochs (approaches to Ullapool, including Little Loch Broom) and Wester Ross was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particuarly proposed protected features (PPFs) and other priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video survey was conducted by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for MS on the 24th-25th September 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 9 sites within the Wester Ross area, that at the time of sampling was being proposed as a location for a possible Marine Protected Area (pMPA), and grab sampling was undertaken in 3 locations. Analyses on the seabed video and still images, undertaken by Dr Colin Moore commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Infaunal analysis of the grab samples was undertaken by Precision Marine Survey Limited. SNH used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000252-MRSNH01800000037-MRSNH02900000003-NWS
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C.G. 2014. Biological analyses of underwater video from proposed marine protected areas, renewable energy sites and spoil grounds around Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 746; Allen, J. 2015. Infaunal and PSA analyses of grab samples collected from the Shiant East Bank and Wester Ross in September 2013. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 693.
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-05-25
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.6426
-5.0496
58.1309
57.8048
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
44E4
creation
2009-05-01
45E4
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2013-09-24
2013-09-25
publication
2014-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from North-west sea lochs was collected by SNH and MSS on the 24th and 25th September 2013. Video images were obtained from 9 drop-down video drift tows and grab samples were collected using a 0.1 m2 Day grab onboard the vessel Alba na Mara. The drop-down video camera set up also carried a forward-looking video camera. Photographs of the seabed at intervals and a laser scaling system to aid biotope determinations. Track and depth data were displayed on a video overlay system on the SD camera feed. No HD footage was recorded on this survey. SNH contracted Dr Colin Moore to analyse the video footage to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. 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 of PPFs and other 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. Precision Marine Survey Limited were contracted by SNH to undertake the infaunal analyses. This analyses involved infaunal identification, particle size analysis (PSA) and assigning a biotope to each sample. At each station either a single grab or a set of three replicate grab samples were collected. Each infaunal sample was passed through a 1mm mesh seive and the residue retained and fixed with buffered formalin for processing. A small sub-sample of each grab was removed for PSA. The PSA was carried out by a combination of dry sieving and laser particle size analysis. Prior to analysis photographs were taken of all samples. All laboratory measures were based on best practice and in line with the NMBAQC scheme guidelines and species reporting nomenclature used WoRMS standards.
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
Data Manager
Precision Marine Survey Limited
originator
Consultant
No organisation
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2019-11-13