Identification

Title

2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil broadscale validation benthic camera and grab survey

Abstract

The purpose of this benthic survey of Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil was to carry out a broadscale validation survey of the multiple MPA search features historically recorded within the survey area and to record new instances of these and assess previously identified Priority Marine Features (PMFs) and record any new instances of PMFs. Surveying in the Linnhe sea lochs system was split into two parts, A and B. Part A is a coarse grained characterisation of the search feature distribution, carried out by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), incorporated remote benthic sampling using a combination of grab and video (DDV and ROV). Part B was chiefly to examine discrete beds of specific PMFs, undertaken by Heriot-Watt University (HWU), using divers to provide detailed survey analyses on targeted high priority features, shore based survey methods and drop-down video. This study aimed to determine whether PMFs and MPA search features were still present at previously documented locations. A remote video and grab survey was conducted by SAMS for SNH between the 3rd and 26th August 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 181 sites within the Linnhe sea lochs system study area. The images, analysed under SNH contract by SAMS, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An ROV survey was undertaken at 23 sites in Loch Linnhe, generally targeting locations where the northern featherstar (Swiftia pallida) had been recorded, and or where the proximity of steep underwater cliffs or pinnacles made deployment of the drop-down video problematic. Quantitative infaunal grab sampling was undertaken at 37 sites and multigrabs at 12 sites in Lochs Linnhe and Eil for marcofauna analysis and PSA. The vessels RV Seol Mara and SV Sir John Murray were used for this survey. Part B was chiefly to examine discrete beds of specific PMFs, undertaken by Heriot-Watt University (HWU), using divers to provide detailed survey analyses on targeted high priority features, shore based survey methods and drop-down video. This study aimed to determine whether PMFs and MPA search features were still present at previously documented locations. A drop-down video and diver survey was conducted by HWU for SNH between the 18th June and 4th November 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 38 sites within the Linnhe sea lochs system study area from the RV Serpula, principally as a component of the localised dive surveys of flame shell and horse mussel beds. The images, analysed under SNH contract by HWU, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Localised surveys (combination of DDV, dive and diver MNCR phase-two) were carried out at 9 sites to assess the distribution, extent and condition of the high priority PMF MPA search features. The vessels RV Seol Mara and RV Serpula were used for this survey. This work was funded by Marine Scotland as part of the Scottish MPA project.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000152-MRSNH02600000002-LELE

codeSpace

Marine Recorder

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

Additional information source

Nickell, T,D., Hughes, D.J, Hausrath, J., Gontarek, S. and Clark, L. 2013. The distribution of Priority Marine Features and MPA search features within Lochs Linnhe, Eil, Leven and Etive: a broadscale validation survey (Part A). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 501. Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B. & Trigg, C. (2012). The distribution of selected MPA search features within Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil: a broadscale validation survey (Part B). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report N

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

biota

environment

oceans

2021-09-28

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-5.6891

East bounding longitude

-4.9825

North bounding latitude

56.8561

South bounding latitude

56.3659

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2021-01-06

Extent group

authority code

title

SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2021-01-06

code identifying the extent

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2011-06-18

End position

2011-11-04

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2013-12-31

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

This subtidal seabed data from around Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil was collected by SAMS and SNH between the 3rd and 26th August 2011 onboard either the vessel RV Seol Mara or SV Sir John Murray. Survey stations were selected by Dr Colin Moore, HWU, utilising previous survey data indicating the presence of PMFs and MPA search features. Video images were obtained from a total of 181 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed for 5-10mins. DDV surveying was carried out in Lochs Etive, Leven and parts of Loch Linnhe onboard the RV Seol Mara and from the SV Sir John Murray in Lochs Eil and Linnhe using a Seatronics frame mounted with twin seaLED 1067 lux LED lights and a Konsberg OE14-366 colour zoom camera. Video tow duration was approximately between 4-7 min in length. No still photographs were taken on this survey. Positional, depth and time data are available for the start and end of video runs. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by SAMS, 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, and catagorised by, the presence PMFs and MPA search features. The ROV survey was performed entirely from the SV Sir John Murray using an Outland 1000 ROV system at a total of 23 sites in Loch Linnhe, selected by SNH to target likely or recorded Swiftia locations. Quality Assurance was performed on 10% of video data from DDV and ROV sites by a third person. Quantitative infaunal grab and multigrab samples for macrofauuna analysis and PSA were taken from the RV Seol Mara and SV Sir John Murray. 37 benthic faunal samples were collected using a 0.1m2 Van Veen grab or a 0.1m2 Day Grab, then seived onboard over a 1mm mesh and the residue preserved for further analysis in 10% buffered formalin solution. A sub-sample was taken from each grab for PSA analysis. The multigrab survey was undertaken at 12 stations in Lochs linnhe and Eil onboard the SV Sir John Murray to determine the presence of Arctica islandica, Glossus humanus and Modiolus modiolus. Using a Day grab, 5 infaunal samples were obtained at each station.

Conformity

Conformity report

specification

title

MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2011-01-28

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

MEDIN data guideline for video surveys of species and benthos

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-01-23

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2010-12-08

degree

explanation

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

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.

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

No restrictions on public access

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

NatureScot (HQ Inverness)

email address

data_supply@nature.scot

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2025-06-05

Metadata language

eng