2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA benthic camera and grab survey
The aim of this benthic survey in Loch Alsh, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH from the 26th-29th September 2015, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Marine Protected Area (MPA). Dropdown video drifts at 49 stations was one of the methods used to achieve this, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1415A). This survey also contributed to a monitoring programme (of management effectiveness) of refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 features adjacent to the partially overlapping Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and to a study of the distribution of protected features within the MPA. Through the analysis of seabed video, the images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. 15 grab samples were also collected at 3 stations during this survey period to help assessment of the condition of the seabed habitats within the MPA. Sampling stations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat. Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-CMEU-000303-LDLA
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Axelsson, M., O Dell, J. and Dewey, S. 2017. Infaunal and PSA analyses of benthic samples collected from South Arran MPA, Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA and Southern Trench MPA proposal. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 946; Moore, C.G. 2017. Biological analyses of underwater video from ongoing monitoring and research cruises in Lochs Sunart, Etive and Alsh, sea lochs off South Skye, the Sounds of Barra and Arisaig and around the Southern Trench. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 959
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2003-01-01
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-02-14
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.7088
-5.5890
57.2858
57.2513
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
43E4
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2015-09-26
2015-09-29
publication
2017-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data was collected during a research cruise by SNH and MSS on board the MRV Alba na Mara. Fifteen grab samples were collected throughout the lochs using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling locations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat in Loch Alsh, although some stations were relocated due to the presence of creels. Three additional stations were also grab sampled solely for the purpose of ascertaining the presence or absence of L. hains and to ground truth the video footage collected over the same survey area, so that the boundary of the flame shell bed could be defined more accurately (these additional samples were discarded after assessment and no further analysis was conducted). For all other grab samples, a subsample was removed for separate particle size analysis (PSA) and stored in a plastic bag before being frozen. The remainder of the infaunal sample was passed through a 1mm mesh sieve, and the residue retained and fixed using a borax buffered formalin. Laboratory methodologies were undertaken in line with NMBAQC Scheme guidelines. Identification of infaunal samples was to the lowest possible taxonomic level (e.g. species). The sediment type derived from PSA and the characteristic species identified from each sample were used to characterize the biotope for each grab station, according to the Marine Biotope Classification of Britain and Ireland. Video images were obtained from 49 drop-down video drifts. The video frame carried a laser scaling system and the facility to take digital still photographs at intervals. A high definition video camera was employed in combination with a lower resolution navigation camera. The video overlay display on the SD camera provided date, time, and position data along runs. Depth details were provided for the start and end of the runs. Analysis of the video footage was undertaken 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. Biotopes were allocated based on the biological and physical attributes. SNH contracted Dr Colin Moore to analyse the underwater video footage from this survey and Seastar Survey Ltd. to undertake faunal analysis and PSA of the samples from this survey.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not for use in navigation. This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensititive; 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 permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.
No restrictions to public access
SeaStar Survey
originator
Consultant
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2019-07-31