2013, Brown and May Marine, Zone 1 - Moray Firth, Cod Survey series https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=015_4e1754ac-4ba2-4ef3-adba-089b52f53bf8 The North Sea cod stock is assessed as a single unit however there is evidence of sub-stock structuring (Fox et al 2008, ICES 2007). The Moray Firth cod stock is reproductively isolated from other North Sea stocks. Spawning grounds for this species have been defined in the area of the MORL development (i.e. Coull et al 1998, Ellis et al 2010) however the degree of spawning activity currently taking place in this area is unknown. The objective of this survey was to determine whether significant cod spawning currently takes place in the area of the Moray Firth Round 3 and its vicinity. The survey was carried out in two trips between 17th February and 19th March 2013 (Trip A from 17th February to 26th February and Trip B from 10th March to 19th March) coinciding with the peak spawning season. Sampling was undertaking using a commercial rock-hopper otter trawl with a 120 mm mesh cod end, fitted with a 20 mm blinder (provided by Marine Scotland Science, hereinafter referred to as MSS). 56 tows of 30 minutes duration were undertaken within and adjacent to the MORL Round 3 Area to cover areas of the cod spawning grounds defined by Coull et al 1998 where noise levels at which cod may exhibit strong avoidance reactions during the construction phase may occur (90dBht (Gadus morhua) level). Two tows of 60 minutes duration were also carried at the request of MSS to determine whether larger cod were out-swimming the net in the 30 minute tows. The catch from each otter trawl was emptied into the hopper, photographed, and sorted into baskets by species. The length, sex and spawning condition of all cod was identified and recorded. The gonads of each individual were photographed. 20260910T12:36:23