2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Ullapool Approaches benthic survey
The purpose of this benthic survey of the Ullapool Approaches was to carry out a validation survey of the multiple priority marine features (PMFs)previously recorded within the area, to record new instances of PMFs and to detect unrecorded PMFs within the area. The survey area of Ullapool Approaches extends from the southern entrance to Loch Gairloch to Loch an Altain Duibh in the north. The study area consisted the four main loch systems - Loch Gairloch, Loch Ewe, Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Heriot-Watt University (HWU) for SNH between the 20th July and 24th of August 2010 to contribute to a broad scale assessment of the distribution and extent of PMFs, in combination with more detailed, localised surveys of maerl, flameshell, seagrass, oyster, blue mussel, horse mussel and sea loch egg wrack beds. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 245 sites in the area mainly from the vessel RV Serpula but also from a faster vessel MV Rebecca Ann to survey more distant offshore sites and the Summer Isles. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Heriot-Watt University, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal and multi-grab survey were also undertaken in the area at 28 sites and 24 sites, respectively. Localised surveys were undertaken at a number of sites using mini-video, spot dives and MNCR phase 2 survey methods.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000129-MRSNH01800000003-UA
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B., Trigg, C., Porter, J. S. and Lyndon, A. R. (2011). The distribution of Priority Marine Features and MPA search features within the Ullapool Approaches: a broadscale validation survey. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 422.
climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.8917
-5.0542
58.0549
57.6786
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
44E4
creation
2009-05-01
45E4
creation
1954-01-01
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2010-07-20
2010-08-20
publication
2011-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from Ullapool Approaches was collected during a research cruise run for SNH by Heriot_Watt University between the 20th July and 20th August 2010. A total of 245 drop-down video stations were surveyed in the area between the 22nd July and 5th August from the vessel RV Serpula and MV Rebeccaa Ann. The video system used was a Panasonic NV-GS150 3 chip digital video camera. At each station the camera was deployed briefly from a drifting vessel, with the times, depths and precise positions at the start and end of each drift using dGPS. The video runs averaged between 2-4mins duration, with longer runs where necessary to characterise habitat. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Heriot-Watt University, under SNH contract, 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. Where the video run traversed a sequence of biotopes, the run is split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the time, position and depth. Stations were also categorised according to PMFs and MPA search features present. Single Van Veen grabs were also taken at 28 sites. Grab contents were sieved on a 1mm mesh after a 150 ml subsample of sediment was removed for PSA. Multi grab samples (approximately 5) were taken from 24 sites to validate historical records of the presence of Arctica islandica. The number of live specimens of this species were counted on deck for each grab sample. Detailed surveys were also carried out at a number of sites to assess the distribution, extent and condition of certain MPA search features, viz. maerl, flame shell, horse mussel, seagrass, oyster and sea loch egg wrack beds. At each location a combination of the following methods were employed - MNCR phase 2 dive survey, spot dives, mini video, grabs, cores, glass bucket, shore/dive search and ben mapping and density assessment. Detailed information on the methods employed at each localised site can be found in the SNH commissioned report 422.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not to be used for navigation. Native oyster was recorded during survey. SNH Sensitive species policy regards instances of Native oyster (Ostrea edulis) species occurrences and instances of biotope Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy mixed sediment (SS.SMx.IMx.Ost/ SS.IMX.Oy) as sensitive, as commercial fishing is threatening stocks. As such SNH would not release such records in response to an Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 request at a resolution below that provided by a 20km by 20km square. In such a case we would disguise the location by provision of data in GIS format and would replace the original location of the record with a square of 20km by 20km dimension placed around the precise location of the record(s). However, SNH may choose to share this data at full resolution with Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies and other trusted partners, academic researchers or developers for use in Environmental Statements at full resolution. However, such release would be strictly under the terms of a modified Open Government licence which would restrict published outputs and onward supply to the degraded resolution Other species or biotope occurrences in this survey are not considered by SNH to be sensitive; as such these may be released at full resolution in response to requests covered by Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information requests; additionally their re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data at whatever resolution will acknowledge the copyright owner.
Restrictions on public access due to sensitive species recorded, only available at 20km by 20km resolution
Teaching Fellow
Heriot-Watt University School of Life Sciences
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725000
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725000
pointOfContact
2019-10-25