The fishing vessel Wendy Patricia was chartered between August and
October 2007 to carry out a potting survey and an acoustic survey in the mixed
crab and lobster fishery in an area off the northeast coast from the river
Tyne to Druridge Bay. The main objective was to investigate the population
structure of edible crabs in relation to the characteristics of the seabed.
Fishing positions were spread throughout the survey area but most stations
were in Whitley Bay and north of Newbiggin, corresponding to the pre-survey
positions of the gear. Sidescan sonar and underwater video were used during
the acoustic survey to map ground types in proximity to the fishing positions.
The fishing survey took place in late August and early September and the
acoustic survey was carried out in October.
