486859d10bab63fa57d813ed3710cc0d English dataset Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk pointOfContact 2019-01-10 MEDIN Discovery metadata standard 2.3.8 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 By-catch from AFBI Irish Sea and North Channel Queen Scallop Dredge Research Surveys 2013 - present 2019-01-10 publication AFBINIQSS This dataset contains information on bycatch of non-target species from the AFBI Irish Sea and North Channel Queen Scallop Dredge Research Surveys between 2013 – present on board the R.V. Corystes. The primary objectives of this research surveys series are to obtain information on spatial patterns of abundance of different size-classes of queen scallops in the Irish Sea and off the north coast, to further test for optimal sampling gear for future queen scallop surveys and to collect biological information from queen scallops and scallops by area, including tissue samples. The survey primarily utilises underwater television (UWTV) footage (c. 10 mins) to identify abundance of queen scallop which is supplement with biological sampling from dredge and beam trawl. Dredge samples were taken at selected stations across a spectrum of observed queenie densities Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk originator Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk custodian annually Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-01-06 revision Fishing by-catch SeaDataNet P021 parameter discovery vocabulary 2009-11-16 revision no conditions otherRestrictions no restrictions 50 English biota Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2009-06-18 creation Irish Sea International Hydrographic Bureau, Limits of Oceans and Seas 1954-01-01 creation Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland International Hydrographic Bureau, Limits of Oceans and Seas 1954-01-01 creation Irish Sea and St. George's Channel ICES Statistical Areas 2014-05-16 creation VIIa ICES Statistical Areas 2014-05-16 creation VIa -6.1637 -4.6951 54.6126 55.3952 -5.6086 -3.5385 53.2718 54.3237 2013-07-03 2018-07-04 Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor dataset MEDIN data guideline for fish and benthos data by trawl and dredge 2011-02-02 publication See the referenced specification true This dataset contains a time series (2013 – 2018) of bycatch data from the AFBI Queen Scallop dredge research survey. It should be noted that the species of primary concern of this research survey was the Queen Scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) and as such the survey design, sampling protocol and technical equipment were designed to maximise the recording of the target species. Over the course of the time series there has been adjustments to survey design, sampling protocol, survey staff and technical equipment in response to changing requirements and latest novel developments in survey equipment. At the end of each research survey individual cruise reports are composed by the Scientist in Charge of (S.I.C.) that provide a summary of the individual survey design, sampling protocol, survey staff and technical equipment and are available on request. The below protocol outlines a general overview of the sampling protocol of the research survey. A bespoke survey report outlined the specification. Stations were selected at random from a fixed grid 0.03 x 0.03 decimal degrees. The number of stations within strata were selected as a function of historic queenie fishery within that strata and strata area. At all stations the camera and sledge was deployed. Film data from 15-minute tows at each station were stored on DVDs. A USBL system was used to enable the course taken by the sledge during tows to be tracked. This information is an essential input to calculation of the area of seabed swept during each tow. The dredge is towed at 2.2kn for 15 minutes. Dredge samples were taken at selected stations across a spectrum of observed queenie densities. The fishing gear used four dredges towed abreast, the outer dredges were as used by the commercial vessels for targeting queen scallops (width = 725 mm). The inner dredges were as used to target king scallop (width = 745 mm), one of these was fitted with a fine mesh liner. All catch was processed separately from the each of these three dredge types. A beam trawl and net were used at selected stations. The otter trawl net is towed at 2.4kn for 30 minutes, beam trawl samples were collected from samples of 10 minutes with towing speed of 1 kn. Length frequencies of all queen scallops were taken and two from each length class (0.5cm) retained for biological sampling - length, breadth, and abductor muscle and gonad weights. Length frequencies of all finfish bycatch and counts of benthos were recorded. Paired sampling by otter trawl net and dredge at stations was undertaken to compare catch rates and gear selectivity.