2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Sween benthic survey dataset https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=010_7257d9edd93f50334bcc0372a9cb06f0 The purpose of this benthic survey in the Loch Sween (a possible Nature Conservation MPA at the time of survey) system was to validate historical records and determine the current distribution of target MPA search features: burrowed mud, inshore deep mud with burrowed heart urchins and beds of maerl, flameshells and native oysters, as well as the component species Ostrea edulis. A further aim was to validate records of four additional sublittoral mud and mixed sediment complexes that have been proposed as protected features within the possible MPA. Assessment of the condition of the targeted proposed protected features. This survey was split into two phases - (1) an underwater video survey and remote infaunal survey (grab and dredge) and (2) a MNCR phase 2 diving survey. An underwater video survey at 98 stations, infaunal grabs at 25 stations, naturalist dredge tows of a historical Limaria bed to supplement video samples, and single anchor dredges at 4 sites of historical Maxmuelleria were undertaken by Heriot-Watt University for SNH between the 18th and 21st March 2013. Between the 17th and 23rd April 2013, dive surveys of maerl, oyster and burrowed bud features of the the Loch, together with video and infaunal surveys of Linne Mhuirich. Detailed biological information were collected on the seabed species and habitat features present. Analyses on the seabed video and infaunal samples, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. 20131231