Identification

Title

Western Channel sole and plaice beam trawl survey 2023

Alternative title(s)

FSP Western Channel sole and plaice

Abstract

The main aim of the Western Channel sole and plaice survey is to show trends in the distribution, abundance and age composition of sole (*Solea solea*) and plaice (*Pleuronectes platessa*), and to provide some information on bycatch species in the Western English Channel (ICES Division 7e). At each station sampled, shot and haul, positional, depth and times information were recorded, and for all species of fish and shellfish length distribution data were taken. Otoliths were collected from sole and plaice to provide individual age at length information. Up until 2020 the survey time-series (2003 onwards) was funded as part the Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP) programme.

Resource type

series

Resource locator

https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/21772

name: Cefas Data Portal

description: The Cefas Data Portal contains metadata records and data sets available to download and connect to in support of our commitment to open science. Data is available in the following formats: Binary download.

function: download

Unique resource identifier

code

CEFAS21772

codeSpace

https://data.cefas.co.uk

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

biota

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2011-03-25

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2008-06-01

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-05-18

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2012-01-11

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2012-01-11

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-8.00

East bounding longitude

-2.00

North bounding latitude

50.75

South bounding latitude

49.00

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2023-08-16

End position

2023-09-27

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2024-07-23

date type

revision

effective date

2025-05-13

date type

creation

effective date

2024-01-10

Frequency of update

annually

Quality and validity

Lineage

The primary aim is to investigate the abundance, size and age composition of sole,* Solea solea*, and plaice, *Pleuronectes platessa*, in the Western English Channel (ICES Division VIIe). Additional data are collected on other commercial species such as cod (*Gadus morhua*), lemon sole (*Microstomus kitt*), megrim (*Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis*), and monkfish (*Lophius piscatorius*). Both the Eastern and Western surveys of the study area are carried out by one commercial beam trawler during late summer and early autumn. In all, there are 90 target stations equally spread over the western and eastern surveys that have been sampled consistently over all years, from 2003 onwards. Historically, there were more stations but not all were sampled every year and the survey design was thus simplified to cover only the 90 core stations, maintaining the survey for the long term. At each station the catch for the port and starboard gears were combined, which was subsequently split into the retained and discarded component prior to sampling. Fish and shellfish were identified to either species or if not the highest possible taxa, and were measured in accordance with Cefas’ standard practices. When necessary catches by species were a subsampled prior to measuring. Species of Cephalopod were measured, except for Octopii, which were counted. Biological samples for sole and plaice were collected for age determination purposes.

Conformity

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2013-12-10

degree

false

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2010-12-08

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Data format

name of format

Unknown

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)

full postal address

Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory

Pakefield Road

Lowestoft

NR33 0HT

UK

email address

data.manager@cefas.co.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

organisation name

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)

full postal address

Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory

Pakefield Road

Lowestoft

NR33 0HT

UK

email address

data.manager@cefas.co.uk

responsible party role

custodian

Responsible party

organisation name

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)

full postal address

Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory

Pakefield Road

Lowestoft

NR33 0HT

UK

email address

data.manager@cefas.co.uk

responsible party role

distributor

Responsible party

organisation name

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)

email address

data.manager@cefas.co.uk

responsible party role

owner

Responsible party

organisation name

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

email address

defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk

responsible party role

owner

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS)

full postal address

Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory

Pakefield Road

Lowestoft

NR33 0HT

UK

email address

data.manager@cefas.co.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2025-05-13T12:06:38

Metadata language