03e58450899ed1a91c18543aef855804 English dataset 0d12e762-1b4e-4e6e-a916-1f05e4c963cc NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-10 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Sween sublittoral survey 2012-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000134-MRSNH02300000003-LS Marine Recorder NS-000134 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey in Loch Sween was to determine species composition, diversity and biotope. Sublittoral sediment sampling was undertaken by SEPA for SNH as part of SNH's review of existing and new benthic data to ascertain the current marine nature conservation value of Loch Sween and inform the need for new survey work. Grab sampling was undertaken at 24 sites on the 22nd and 23rd November down the length of the loch from Sailean Mhor to the Loch approaches to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present.The purpose of SNH contracting Precision Marine Survey Ltd to analyse the infaunal data obtained from this survey by SEPA was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs). Video was also taken at a limited number of sites but due to adverse weather conditions visibility was exceptionally poor so the footage provided little information on the biota present. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters Data Manager 01463 725000 data_supply@nature.scot owner NatureScot (HQ Inverness) NatureScot Data Manager data_supply@nature.scot custodian Scottish Environment Protection Agency Data manager sea.gateway@sepa.org.uk originator Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters Data Manager 01463 725000 data_supply@nature.scot originator Esther Hughes Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH) Data Manager 01752 633102 dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor notPlanned Marine Environmental Data and Information Network MEDIN metadata record availability 2025-06-10 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-10 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Habitat characterisation Habitat extent Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensitive; all records may therefore be released in response to requests covered by Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information Regulations; additionally its re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions No restrictions on public access 500 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.7070 -5.5692 55.8973 56.0374 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Minches and Western Scotland ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 40E4 2010-11-22 2010-11-23 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Allen, J.H. and Birkett, S.R. (2013). Study of previously unanalysed survey data from Loch Sween including infaunal analysis of grab samples from 2009-2010. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 493. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefile Image dataset MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-01-28 publication See the referenced specification true Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 publication This subtidal seabed data from Loch Sween was collected by SEPA for SNH in November 2010. Infaunal grab samples were taken at 24 sites down the length of the loch using a 0.1m2 day grab. material from the grab samples were sieved through a 1mm mesh sieve and an additional sample was also taken and preserved for subsequent PSA. Processing of infaunal samples was undertaken by Precision Marine Survey Limited and followed best practice procedures. The original aim of this survey was to review the drop-down video data provided by SEPA in order to provide a semi-quantitative assessment of species abundance and coverage and to determine biotope type, patchiness and representativeness, environmental (sedimentary) characteristics or evidence of damage and disturbance. Due to poor weather conditions on the survey the number of video sites was reduced and survey effort was transferred to the benthic survey. A total of 4 benthic infaunal sites surveyed included video, however the video data were of particularly poor quality due to extremely low visibility.