2dc30ee179b81a1a217a28194afb4d9d English dataset NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-04 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Canna survey for fan mussels and other MPA search features 2012-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000126-MRSNH02200000002-SC Marine Recorder NS-000126 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey in the Sound of Canna was to conduct a detailed survey of seabed MPA search features within the sound, with particular emphasis on the population of fan mussels (Atrina fragilis). Survey work during August and September 2010 involved a drop-down video survey to capture footage of the seabed habitats at 121 stations; detailed in-situ, diver observations, which included mapping the extent of seagrass beds and the collection of infaunal core samples at 15 stations; and grab sampling at 23 stations within benthic sediment communities. The primary objective of the work was to provide an assessment of the current status of the fan mussels. The survey plans were developed from previous sampling records, Admiralty charts, and predictive habitat distribution maps covering this area. This sampling work was carried out in 3 phases. Video and grab sampling were undertaken in shallow water between the 5th-7th August by Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd (ASML) and SNH from the survey vessel Lophelia, and in deep water between the 20th and 27th September by ASML and University Marine Biological Station on Millport (UMBSM) from the UMBSM research vessel RV Aora. Diver fieldwork was carried out by a team of 4 divers from the 28th August to 4th September from the vessel Lophelia. The images and infaunal samples, analysed under SNH contract by ASML and Identichaet, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. 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 Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. Data manager tom@aquatic-environments.co.uk 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 2025-06-04 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-04 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 permissable 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 -6.5500 -6.3130 57.0000 57.0900 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 43E3 2010-08-05 2010-09-27 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Howson, C. M., Clark, L., Mercer, T. S. & James, B. (2012). Marine biological survey to establish the distribution and status of fan mussels Atrina fragilis and other Marine Protected Area (MPA) search features within the Sound of Canna, Inner Hebrides. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 438. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefiles Image dataset MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-01-28 publication See the referenced specification true MEDIN data guideline for video surveys of species and benthos 2018-01-23 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 the Sound of Canna was collected by ASML and SNH between the 5th August and 27th September 2010. The benthic survey comprised several phases: A survey of shallow coastal waters (to approximately 35m) from a small boat using a lightweight drop-down video system; targeted fine resolution in-situ, diver sampling; a survey of the deeper parts of the sound using a heavier drop-down video camera system capable of operating in over 200 m of water; and grab sampling within the range of sediment communities present. The survey vessels used for this survey work were Lophelia and RV Aora. Video images were obtained from the lightweight drop-down video camera system deployed just above the seabed. The system is based on a Sony 3CCD digital video camera and is designed to drift along the seabed. SNH's mini ROV was deployed in an effort to look at the vertical cliff walls where the DDV camera system could not be used and the walls were beyond diving depths. The deep underwater video survey was undertaken in conjunction with the grab sampling. This camera system was a Kongsberg-Simrad colour UW video camera and two Versabeam 500w lights. Date and time are overlaid onto the video signal. Long video tows were taken due to the length of time required to deploy the system in deep water - the longest video sample approximately 42mins. The deep water video camera system was not a digital system and the quality of footage is lower than that obtained using shallow water equipment. Infaunal samples were collected using a 0.1m2 Day Grab. The distribution of grab samples were selected based on the video survey to ensure good coverage across the sound and target specific biotopes of interest. Each infaunal sample was processed onboard. Only full grabs were retained and no replicates were taken. A sub-sample was taken for sediment grain size distribution analysis and organic matter content determination. Sieved residue was fixed with a 15% formal saline solution. Dive surveying was undertaken using MNCR-style phase 2 semi-quantitative techniques. The biological information recorded by divers was supplemented by digital video and digital SLR photography. All infaunal processing was carried out in accordance with NMBAQC guidelines. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by ASML, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using time. Segmentation of runs was not practicable in the case of mosaics of recurring biotopes, in which case all biotopes observed were simply listed.