2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Loch Sealg (Loch Shell) underwater video survey
This SNH analyses of underwater video footage collected in Loch Sealg (Loch Shell) is intended to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognised conservation importance and help to improve future nature conservation action by undertaking a marine habitat classification using JNCC standards, and to search for Priority Marine Features (PMF). A drop-down video survey to collect this benthic habitat data was undertaken by SEPA on the 5th and 6th June 2014 on board the SEPA survey vessel Sir John Murray. The underwater video footage was collected using a high definition underwater camera system, custom built for the purposes of environmental monitoring by marine Scotland Science and SNH specifically for use on SEPA's survey vessel, at 29 stations. The seabed video and still photographic imagery material was collected as part of SEPA's work to gauge the health and ecological condition of coastal water bodies but passed to SNH to be analysed by a contractor to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Video runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other priority marine features (PMFs), as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000273-MRSNH03200000003-LSHE
Marine Recorder
eng
Morris-Webb, E.S. & Stamp, T.S. 2015. Biological analyses of underwater video footage from Arran, Loch Linnhe, Loch Shell and Loch Seaforth. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 818.
biota
environment
geoscientificInformation
oceans
revision
2025-06-09
revision
2025-06-09
revision
2021-09-28
revision
2021-09-28
-6.5917
-6.3894
58.0503
57.9390
creation
2021-01-06
creation
2021-01-06
Minches and Western Scotland
creation
2021-01-06
44E3
revision
2021-01-06
revision
2021-01-06
2014-06-05
2014-06-06
publication
2015-12-31
revision
2015-12-31
creation
2014-06-06
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from Loch Sealg was collected on an incidental research visit by SEPA on board their research vessel Sir John Murray on the 5th and 6th June 2014. Video images were obtained from 29 drop-down video drifts. Standard resolution video was obtained from drop-down video tows with time overlay, and where possible high definition GoPro imagery was taken alongside (without time overlay). Due to better quality results, the GoPro video was analysed preferentially to the original DDV footage. No still images were taken alongside the video tows, however images were taken as screen grabs from video tows post survey. This data were derived from SEPA video footage provided to SNH for biological analyses. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Marine Ecological Solutions, contracted by SNH, 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. Video was first split into individual habitats or biotopes where new habitats were either bigger than 25m2 (a minimum biotope size) or greater than 1 minute in length. A first view of the video included assigning habitat name, substrate composition, characterizing biota, sample descriptions and evidence of any human disturbance. On the second view, all species identifiable to a World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) accepted taxa were recorded and where possible a SACFOR abundance rating was assigned. Biotopes were assigned based on the biological and physical attributes, using the JNCC Marine Habitat Classification guidance. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the clock time, position and depth.
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2010-12-08
Marine Recorder
Not to be used for 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 on public access
Data manager
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
owner
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
01463 725000
owner
NatureScot Data Manager
NatureScot (HQ Inverness)
custodian
Data manager
Marine Ecological Solutions
originator
Data manager
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
01463 725000
originator
Data Manager
Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH)
01752 633102
distributor
NatureScot (HQ Inverness)
pointOfContact
2025-06-09