Identification

Title

2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) North Minch (Shiant East Bank and Little Minch) benthic camera and grab survey

Abstract

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1511A) in two areas of the North Minch - Shiant East Bank and Little Minch - was to gather biological data to help inform understanding of the importance of large-scale features within Scottish waters, specifically glacially eroded deeps and banks and mounds). An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by MSS for MSS between the 23rd October and 3rd November 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 35 sites around Shiant East Bank and 25 sites in Little Minch. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal survey was also undertaken in this area on the same survey by MSS and SNH for SNH, with the same purpose as the video survey to collect quantative biological data. A total of 17 samples were collected during this survey for faunal and PSA analysis. Seastar Survey Ltd was contracted by SNH to undertake the infaunal analysis. MSS and SNH used the vessel MRV Alba na Mara for this survey - video samples were also collected from Little Loch Broom on the same cruise.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000178-MRSNH0180000001C-NM

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

Moore, C.G. (2012). An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 507

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

2011-07-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2012-03-16

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

-7.0696

East bounding longitude

-5.8310

North bounding latitude

58.1395

South bounding latitude

57.4955

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Minches & Western Scotland

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

44E3

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

45E3

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

44E4

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

45E4

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

2011-10-23

End position

2011-11-03

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2012-12-31

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

This subtidal seabed data from Little Minch and Shiant East Bank was collected by MSS between the 26th and 3rd November 2011 onboard the vessel MRV Alba na Mara. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 60 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed. The camera frame also carried a digital stills camera, which took vertically orientated photographs of the seabed at regular intervals, and a laser scaling system. Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs, with depths and positions also available at 10 second intervals for this survey. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Dr Colin Moore, 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 the presence PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance according to a number of additional criteria, including citation on the following lists: the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (lower risk category), the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats and the Scottish Biodiversity List. Infaunal samples were collected at 17 stations using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. The samples each had a 5cm core subsample retrieved for particle size analysis (PSA), before being sieved by hand through a 1mm mesh size. Any material retained on the sieve was transferred to a labelled container before being fixed with a buffered 4% formaldehyde solution. PSA was undertaken by Seastar using a combination of wet and dry sieving techniques. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample.

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 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

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

SeaStar Survey

email address

info@seastarsurvey.co.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

contact position

Consultant

organisation name

Colin Moore

email address

c.g.moore84@gmail.com

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

2020-03-05

Metadata language