Identification

Title

Assessment of potential predators of plaice eggs and larvae in the Irish Sea

Alternative title(s)

PREDATE - Detecting predation of fish eggs and larvae

Abstract

Data on fish counts, lengths and stomach contents analysis from fish caught in the Irish Sea in 2008 and 2009 to investigate the potential predators of plaice eggs. Also included are station data and ichthyoplankton analysis counts.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/727

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

CEFAS727

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

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

-7.00

East bounding longitude

-2.50

North bounding latitude

54.50

South bounding latitude

53.00

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2008-02-22

End position

2009-02-28

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2016-06-16

date type

revision

effective date

2023-01-31

date type

creation

effective date

2013-01-30

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

Research cruises were undertaken on the research vessel CEFAS Endeavour in the eastern Irish Sea on a well described plaice spawning ground located off the North Wales coast in February 2008 and 2009. The full range of predators with the potential to consume plaice eggs and larvae and their spatial and temporal distributions were investigated using vertical plankton samplers, acoustic surveys and various trawls. Stomach samples were taken for subsequent analysis using genetic (TaqMan) probes. Associated measurements of temperature, salinity and depth of the water column were also taken. Plankton samples were collected using a Gulf VII plankton sampler, fitted with a 40cm aperture nosecone and 270mm mesh net. The samplers were deployed on a grid of 12 stations in a double oblique tow from sea surface to near bottom and back. A Valeport Conductivity Temperature and Density (CTD) profiler mounted on the sampler provided depth, salinity and temperature profiles for each plankton tow as well as ‘real time’ flowmeter data. The plankton was gently washed down from the samplers into an end-bag which was removed and the plankton washed into a jar and fixed using buffered formaldehyde solution (4% formaldehyde in distilled water buffered with 2.5% sodium trihydrate (w/v)). The samples were analysed at the CEFAS laboratory, Lowestoft. Fish eggs and larvae were picked out of the preserved samples using low power microscopes, and, whenever practicable, the whole sample was sorted. Sub-sampling, however, was at times necessary and this was carried out using a Folsom splitter. Using this method a fraction of the sample (for example ⅛, ¼ or ½) was worked up as appropriate. Ichthyoplankton from these surveys was identified according to Russell (1976). This was supplemented by various identification guides and keys produced by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Saville, 1964; Macer, 1967; Nichols, 1971; Demir, 1976; Nichols, 1976). Fish eggs were initially split into groups on the basis of presence or absence of oil globules. Those containing either a single or many oil globules could usually be identified to the species level. Eggs with no oil globules are more difficult to separate, particularly in the early stages before embryonic pigmentation develops, and as a result it is not possible to identify a proportion of these. However, egg size was recorded. Fish larvae were generally easy to identify unless they had been badly damaged during collection. For some groups, such as the sandeels (Ammodytidae) and the rocklings (Gadidae), individuals were not identified to the species level. Plankton data were expressed as number of organisms m-³ by dividing the numbers per sample by the volume filtered. The full dataset is stored on ACCESS (Microsoft Inc.) databases held at CEFAS. Bioness multinet and hyperbenthic sledge were deployed to collect plankton samples. Acoustic transect lines were used to locate potential predators of plaice eggs, Sandeel and Portuguese High Headline Trawls were then carried out so stomach samples could be collected.

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

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

2023-01-31T04:50:35

Metadata language