4204a05afab6a5b6501e18ce4c7931e8 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) Ullapool Approaches benthic survey 2011-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000129-MRSNH01800000003-UA Marine Recorder NS-000129 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey of the Ullapool Approaches was to carry out a validation survey of the multiple priority marine features (PMFs)previously recorded within the area, to record new instances of PMFs and to detect unrecorded PMFs within the area. The survey area of Ullapool Approaches extends from the southern entrance to Loch Gairloch to Loch an Altain Duibh in the north. The study area consisted the four main loch systems - Loch Gairloch, Loch Ewe, Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Heriot-Watt University (HWU) for SNH between the 20th July and 24th of August 2010 to contribute to a broad scale assessment of the distribution and extent of PMFs, in combination with more detailed, localised surveys of maerl, flameshell, seagrass, oyster, blue mussel, horse mussel and sea loch egg wrack beds. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 245 sites in the area mainly from the vessel RV Serpula but also from a faster vessel MV Rebecca Ann to survey more distant offshore sites and the Summer Isles. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Heriot-Watt University, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal and multi-grab survey were also undertaken in the area at 28 sites and 24 sites, respectively. Localised surveys were undertaken at a number of sites using mini-video, spot dives and MNCR phase 2 survey methods. 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 2025-06-04 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-04 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Habitat characterisation Habitat extent Long-wave radiation Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions Not to be used for navigation. Native oyster was recorded during survey. SNH Sensitive species policy regards instances of Native oyster (Ostrea edulis) species occurrences and instances of biotope Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy mixed sediment (SS.SMx.IMx.Ost/ SS.IMX.Oy) as sensitive, as commercial fishing is threatening stocks. As such SNH would not release such records in response to an Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 request at a resolution below that provided by a otherRestrictions Restrictions on public access due to sensitive species recorded, only available at 20km by 20km resolution 1000 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere environment oceans -5.8917 -5.0542 57.6786 58.0549 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 44E4 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 45E4 2010-07-20 2010-08-20 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B., Trigg, C., Porter, J. S. and Lyndon, A. R. (2011). The distribution of Priority Marine Features and MPA search features within the Ullapool Approaches: a broadscale validation survey. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 422. 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 Ullapool Approaches was collected during a research cruise run for SNH by Heriot_Watt University between the 20th July and 20th August 2010. A total of 245 drop-down video stations were surveyed in the area between the 22nd July and 5th August from the vessel RV Serpula and MV Rebeccaa Ann. The video system used was a Panasonic NV-GS150 3 chip digital video camera. At each station the camera was deployed briefly from a drifting vessel, with the times, depths and precise positions at the start and end of each drift using dGPS. The video runs averaged between 2-4mins duration, with longer runs where necessary to characterise habitat. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Heriot-Watt University, under SNH contract, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Biotopes were allocated based on the biological and physical attributes. Where the video run traversed a sequence of biotopes, the run is split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the time, position and depth. Stations were also categorised according to PMFs and MPA search features present. Single Van Veen grabs were also taken at 28 sites. Grab contents were sieved on a 1mm mesh after a 150 ml subsample of sediment was removed for PSA. Multi grab samples (approximately 5) were taken from 24 sites to validate historical records of the presence of Arctica islandica. The number of live specimens of this species were counted on deck for each grab sample. Detailed surveys were also carried out at a number of sites to assess the distribution, extent and condition of certain MPA search features, viz. maerl, flame shell, horse mussel, seagrass, oyster and sea loch egg wrack beds. At each location a combination of the following methods were employed - MNCR phase 2 dive survey, spot dives, mini video, grabs, cores, glass bucket, shore/dive search and ben mapping and density assessment. Detailed information on the methods employed at each localised site can be found in the SNH commissioned report 422.