78c8a782f38d6f93277b40b94a1a25aa English dataset 009b70489b7b8bbd1d8570379b72c9c1 NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-10 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2017 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Carron benthic diving survey (July-August) 2018-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000353-MRSNH0300000002C-LC Marine Recorder NS-000353 NatureScot project ID This dive work in Loch Carron was carried out by SNH with Heriot-Watt University in July-August 2017 from the vessel RV Serpula. The survey built on previous surveys of the Loch Carron MPA and adjacent waters in 2017 to build up a more detailed understanding of the distribution and condition of several PMFs, including flame shell, maerl and horse mussel beds. Distribution was studied principally by examination of spot sites along 27 diver drift transects. The nature and condition of representative examples of apparently undamaged PMF habitats was assessed by means of MNCR phase 2 surveys at two flame shell and two maerl bed sites. The impact of a dredging event on the condition of the flame shell habitat in the outer loch was examined and a baseline established for monitoring recovery. 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 2025-06-10 revision Habitats and biotopes Species distribution 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 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 none 200 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.7070 -5.5380 57.3230 57.3740 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 43E4 2017-07-29 2017-08-04 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., James, B., Cook, R.L., Saunders, G.R, Tulbure, K.W., Harbour, R.P. & Kamphausen, L. 2018. The distribution and condition of flame shell beds and other Priority Marine Features in Loch Carron Marine Protected Area and adjacent waters. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report No. 1038. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report dataset 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 dataset was collected during a benthic habitat dive survey and Limaria hains recovery monitoring survey by SNH and Heriot-Watt University, using the RV Serpula, following preliminary review of imagery data from the May 2017 survey. Detailed examination of areas where flame shell bed presence was uncertain from drop-down video (e.g. due to dense coverage of the seabed by ophiuroids) was undertaken by divers between 29/07 and 04/08/2018. The presence and distribution of key PMFs was recorded along 27 diver transects. To collect this observational data, divers descended at pre-determined coordinates and drifted or swam along a prescribed bearing for a prescribed distance. The distances covered were between 150m and 400m. A compass mounted on a 1m ruler was used to aid the accuracy of this drift diver method. A maximum of 10 spot records were taken at stations at approximately equal intervals along the transect, so that PMF habitat presence and condition of features could be determined. A continuous record of each transect was made by divers wearing a head mounted GoPro HD video camera. A surface GPS logger unit attached to the SMB recorded the diver location and a dive watch was synchronised with the GPS unit to enabling the location of the diver records to be established. Further MNCR Phase 2 survey work was done at sites within two different flame shell beds and at two maerl bed sites, chosen as representative examples of apparently undamaged PMF habitats. Data at these sites were collected by surveying along the length of a 25m transect line with a band 4m wide. Position and depth at both ends of the transect are recorded and the transect bearing noted. The presence and SACFOR abundance of epibiota were recorded along each transect by two surveyors. Video footage of the transect belt was recorded using a hand-held HD video camera and still photographs of the habitat and associated communities were taken using two digital SLR cameras with wide-angle and macro lenses. Additionally, at each site four replicate core samples were collected for analysis of infaunal species composition, plus one for PSA analysis, and at maerl sites replicated 0.25m2 quadrats were employed to aid in situ assessment of live and dead maerl cover. Ten pre-defined random quadrats were placed on each side of the 25m transect line and photographed to support subsequent analysis. A Limaria hains recovery monitoring survey was also undertaken 29/07 - 02/08/2018 to examine the impact of dredging and establish a baseline for future monitoring of the recovery of the bed.