The primary aim of this benthic survey in Loch Alsh, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH from the 4th - 6th October 2016, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Marine Protected Area (MPA). Dropdown video drifts at 16 stations where used to achieve this, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara. This survey also contributed to a monitoring programme (of management effectiveness) of refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 features adjacent to the partially overlapping Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and to a study of the distribution of protected features within the MPA. 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.
