4183ae575c1d1f5f60e6d6dd528f1287 English dataset NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-05 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2012 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Luce Bay benthic camera and grab survey of marine features within the SAC 2014-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000182-MRSNH0160000000B-LB Marine Recorder NS-000182 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey in the Luce Bay was to conduct a targeted survey on the extent, distribution and quality of benthic habitats in the Luce Bay and Sands SAC. A drop-down video survey at 138 locations was undertaken in stages between 10th July and 10th September 2012, to investigate benthic habitats, together with a foot based intertidal survey on 4th August 2012 to map the extent of Sabellaria alveolata reefs. Areas where existing evidence suggested the presence of Modiolus and maerl communities were also investigated. Sampling was also undertaken across the site where no previous seabed data has previously been acquired to enhance the existing knowledge base. A benthic grab survey was undertaken on 9th – 10th June 2013 at 16 stations to determine the biotopes of some of the soft sediment areas identified during the drop down camera survey. This survey work in 2012 and 2013 was undertaken by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH, from Seastar Survey's own vessel SV Otarie (drop-video) and from a local fishing vessel (grab). 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 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 2025-06-05 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-05 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 occurrences 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 -4.9690 -4.4300 54.3500 54.8950 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 Irish Sea ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 38E5 2012-07-10 2013-06-10 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Doran, J., & Dewey, S. (2014). Survey of marine features within the Luce Bay and Sands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 738. 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 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 survey was undertaken in two main phases. The purpose of the initial phase was to investigate Sabellaria reefs by foot and a rigid inflatable between 10th and 13th July 2012, with some additional mapping work undertaken by foot on 4th August 2012. The subtidal camera investigation of Sabellaria reefs was undertaken between 8th August and 10th September 2012 (with some interruptions due to bad weather). A total of 138 camera drops were undertaken using a Kongsberg OE 14-208 digital video and stills camera system, mounted on a drop-down camera frame. The camera sent a continuous video feed to the surface. Still images were taken to capture representative images of the dominant seabed habitats and sediment types along each video transect and also to capture interesting features with a particular focus on identifying key fauna, seabed features or sediment types. Where Sabellaria reef was found, the reef extent was mapped by foot. The on-foot mapping of the Sabellaria reefs was undertaken by a pair of field scientists. The scientists walked as a pair around the extent of each reef. The scientist carrying the GPS walked along the edge of the reef, while the second scientist walked parallel but several metres away from the reef in order to check that the true extent of the reef was being mapped. Once the locations of the main areas of Sabellaria had been established, the seaward extent of Sabellaria along the east coast was mapped from a 3.5 m inflatable tender and surveyed using a lightweight pole mounted camera (polecam). A total of 24 polecam video lines were recorded. The polecam set-up consisted of a Bowtech LC3 underwater video camera mounted on a lightweight pole and connected to the surface by an umbilical, and was deployed over the side of the inflatable boat. The purpose of the second survey phase was to sample the subtidal habitat using benthic grabs. This survey was undertaken between the 9th and 10th June 2013, following initial analysis of the drop-down camera footage to inform the grab sampling locations. Three stations were regarded as priority targets. The first was a station where three replicate samples were to be collected from a maerl bed identified from the drop-down camera station. The second was a station which was a repeat of a site sampled by ERT in 2007, and a potential maerl location. The third priority station was where large quantities of dead Modiolus shells were identified from the drop-down camera survey. The remaining stations were selected to provide infaunal data to aid with biotope classification of soft sediment habitats, and to cover a geographic spread over the bay. In total, 16 grab stations were sampled using a 0.1m2 van Veen grab. At each station a fauna and a PSA sample were collected. Each infaunal sample was passed through a 1mm mesh sieve and the infaunal sieve residue retained and fixed with buffered formalin for subsequent analysis. A small sub-sample of the grab was removed for PSA analysis and stored in plastic bags before being frozen.