The primary aims of this benthic survey in the Sound of Mull, a region within the Loch Sunart and Sound of Jura MPA, were to monitor MPA management effectiveness and for contingency sampling to improve knowledge of the occurrence of species and habitats of recognized conservation importance. The survey was run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH on the 18th April 2016 using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 0616A). Drop-down camera sampling undertaken at 8 stations was used to collect this quantitative data. 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.
