608583fba6cd5589512b3c077195d4cd 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 2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland (MS) Southern Trench benthic camera and grab survey 2012-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000164-MRSNH02500000003-ST Marine Recorder NS-000164 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey in the Southern Trench, Outer Moray Firth, was to identify the presence of any other priority marine features (PMFs) or MPA search features such as burrowed mud biotopes and ocean quahog (arctica islandica) communities in the shelf deep area. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Heriot-Watt University and SNH for MS between the 6th and 11th September 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 74 sites within the Southern Trench shelf deep area. The images and infaunal samples, 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 grab survey was also undertaken on this survey at a subset of 20 drop-down video stations, selected to target areas of historic records of shelf deep habitat and where PMFs were most likely to occur with the overall aim of gaining a broader understanding of the habitat type and assist in biotope assignment. The vessel RV Alba na Mara was used for this survey - samples were also collected from Noss Head on the same cruise. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters Data Manager 01463 725000 data_supply@nature.scot owner Marine Directorate Scotland Scottish Government (formally Marine Science Scotland) +44 (0)131 556 8400 marinescotland@gov.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 Marine Directorate Scotland Scottish Government (formally Marine Science Scotland) +44 (0)131 556 8400 marinescotland@gov.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 3000 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -2.7000 -1.4000 57.6000 58.0000 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Sea Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Northern North Sea ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 44E7 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 44E8 2011-09-06 2011-09-11 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Hirst, N.E., Clark, L. & Sanderson, W.G. (2012). The distribution of selected MPA search features and Priority Marine Features off the NE coast of Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.500 Database Documents Geographic Information System 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 Southern Trench was collected by Heriot-Watt University and SNH between the 6th and 11th September 2011 onboard the vessel RV Alba na Mara. Survey stations were chosen using a stratified random coarse grid pattern with a higher density of stations in most likely PMF areas. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 74 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed for 5-10mins. Still photographs were also taken approximately taken every minute manually. A Konsberg OE14-366 colour zoom camera was used alongside a Konsberg 14-208 digital stills camera, with camera and lights mounted onto a sled for this survey. Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Heriot-Watt University, 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 for colonies and large aggregations of individuals, where possible, or using numerical abundance of individuals. 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. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence PMFs and MPA search features, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. A small number of pre-planned sampling stations had to be removed due to a high number of creels obstructing the safe deployment of the drop-down video camera. Infaunal samples were collected at 20 stations in the Southern Trench survey area using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling stations for grabs were selected based on a subset of drop-down video sampling stations so as to increase sampling effort in areas where PMFs were most likely to occur. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. A small sub sample of each grab was taken for particle size analysis (PSA), before being sieved by hand through a 1mm mesh size. Any material retained on the sieve was transferred to a labelled container before being fixed with a buffered 4% formaldehyde solution. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample. PSA and infaunal analysis was also undertaken by Heriot-Watt University.