Identification

Title

2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Clyde Sea area survey to establish the distribution of Priority Marine Features

Abstract

The purpose of this benthic survey in the Clyde Sea area was to establish the occurrence and distribution priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Seastar Survey Ltd for SNH between the 4th August and 15th October 2010 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. A range of survey methods were employed, including drop-down video camera operations, sediment grab sampling and scientific diving. The main aim of the survey was to initiate a broad-scale validation survey of historic PMF records (extent, quality and health) and to conduct detailed assessments of discrete features. In addition the survey work aimed to identify new records and achieve a broad coverage of the Clyde Sea area ensuring areas with limited or no data were also surveyed. A total of 129 drop-down video stations, 15 grab samples and 6 dive stations were completed across the Clyde Sea area. All survey operations were conducted from Seastar Survey's own vessel Otarie.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000130-MRSNH01600000008-CS

codeSpace

http://www.nature.scot

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326

Additional information source

Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Dewey, S., and Clark, L. 2013. Marine biological survey to establish the distribution of Priority Marine Features within the Clyde Sea area. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.437.

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

biota

biota

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2008-01-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2009-11-16

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011-02-16

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2003-01-01

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011-07-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2005-04-27

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2006-08-31

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2017-05-12

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-5.5240

East bounding longitude

-4.6160

North bounding latitude

56.2960

South bounding latitude

55.4030

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Irish Sea

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

39E4

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

40E4

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

39E5

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

40E5

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

1954-01-01

code identifying the extent

Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-01-01

code identifying the extent

circalittoral

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-01-01

code identifying the extent

infralittoral

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2010-08-04

End position

2010-10-15

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2013-12-31

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

This subtidal seabed data from Clyde Sea area was collected by Seastar Surveys Ltd between the 4th August and 15th October 2010. Video images were obtained from a drop-down video camera system deployed approximately 1m above the seabed at 129 sites. The camera system used was a Kongsberg OE 14-208 digital still camera mounted obliquely on a drop-down camera frame. Photographs were taken at the discretion of the camera operator rather than at a set time or distance interval, with a particular focus to identify any key fauna or PMFs. Camera work took priority over grabbing effort and was always carried out before any grab deployments at each of the sites. Grab samples were taken using a 0.1 m2 van Veen grab at 15 locations in the survey area. A small sub sample (~100 g) was taken from each grab sample for Particle Size Analysis (PSA). The remaining grab sample was gently washed through a 1 mm sieve. The material retained on the sieve was then fixed using a 4% buffered formaldehyde solution to prevent sample degradation. This remaining material was retained for macrofaunal processing and analysis. In addition to the grab samples collected from Otarie by Seastar Survey, 18 grab samples from the Clyde Sea were collected during an independent survey by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and were also analysed. The SEPA samples were collected using a 0.1 m2 Day grab deployed from the SV Sir John Murray from the 16th - 17th of September 2010. At each site two grab samples were collected, one for biological analysis, and one for sediment analysis. Scientific scuba diving was completed at 6 locations from the 13th - 15th of October. The main aim was to investigate the presence of flame shells and maerl within Loch Fyne. A combination of diver operated video, still photography and in-situ observations were used to assess the makeup, condition and coverage of a feature. The methodology for the majority of the dives involved the divers descending down a shot line at each dive site. The divers then followed a circular search pattern around the shot line at set distances – immediately around the shot line; 5 m from the shot line; and at 10 m from the shot line. Analyses of all the benthic data was undertaken by Seastar Surveys Ltd, 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. For video runs, where a run 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.

Conformity

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2011-02-02

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-01-23

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences 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

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

SeaStar Survey

email address

info@seastarsurvey.co.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

contact position

Data Manager

organisation name

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters

full postal address

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NW

telephone number

01463 725000

email address

data_supply@nature.scot

responsible party role

custodian

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

contact position

Data Manager

organisation name

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters

full postal address

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NW

telephone number

01463 725000

email address

data_supply@nature.scot

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2019-10-25

Metadata language