94ea0521a3404cd45ccf7b0840a21dbe English dataset dad19c700b0445839c274631c2f3e163 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 2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analysis of Fisheries Research Services (FRS) Orkney west coast and Pentland Firth seabed camera survey 2014-12-27 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000156 -MRSNH03000000006-PENT In order to assess the likely environmental impact of the development of renewable energy schemes around the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Government commissioned Marine Scotland Science to map relevant areas of the seabed. MSS subsequently requested Scottish Natural Heritage to provide commentary on the conservation status of species and habitats in the area. This study provided a description of the habitats observed by video during a survey carried out by MSS in 2009. The aim was to inform SNH and MSS on the habitats and species of the area, with a view to assessing their conservation importance. See also 2008 corresponding survey: dad19c700b0445839c274631c2f3e163. 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 Colin Moore Colin Moore Consultant c.g.moore84@gmail.com 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 Macroalgae and seagrass taxonomy-related counts Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions Not for navigational use; SNH copyright data which is available for re-use under government licence terms: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -3.4442138671875 -2.7630615234375 58.551777114353 59.120292365255 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Atlantic Ocean SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Sea Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Scottish Continental Shelf 2009-07-23 2009-08-02 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Moore, C.G. (2010). Preliminary assessment of the conservation importance of benthic species and habitats off the west coast of Orkney and in the Pentland Firth in relation to the development of renewable energy schemes. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 352. Database Documents Geographic Information System dataset 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 Observation of the seabed was carried out at 24 sites off the west coast of Orkney and in the Pentland Firth during cruise 1009S by the RV Scotia from 23rd July to 2nd August 2009. Site positions are shown in Figures 1 and 2 and further site details listed in Table A1. At each site a dropdown video system was deployed just above the seabed along runs of approximately 20 minutes. The camera frame also carried a laser scaling system and a digital stills camera, which took vertically-orientated photographs of the seabed at intervals. The images were used to describe the nature of the seabed, in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Species present were, as far as possible, identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale (Hiscock, 1996). Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated (Connor et al., 2004). At the time of writing, video footage from two sites (EOS/22, WMO/20) was unavailable. Positional and depth data were acquired at intervals of approximately 6 seconds. In order to characterise the depths during the video runs, depth data were filtered to exclude deployment and retrieval data and spurious records, such as double sonar returns. This was achieved by determination of the first and third quartiles, which provide an indication of range. These figures were then converted to depth below chart datum, employing TotalTide software (Admiralty, Taunton) to determine tidal rise at the nearest secondary port.