a84d0dc8376764fd0802d8c0d6d40335 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) North Minch (Shiant East Bank and Little Minch) benthic camera and grab survey 2012-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000178-MRSNH0180000001C-NM Marine Recorder 1511A MMS cruise ID NS-000178 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1511A) in two areas of the North Minch - Shiant East Bank and Little Minch - was to gather biological data to help inform understanding of the importance of large-scale features within Scottish waters, specifically glacially eroded deeps and banks and mounds). An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by MSS for MSS between the 23rd October and 3rd November 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 35 sites around Shiant East Bank and 25 sites in Little Minch. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal survey was also undertaken in this area on the same survey by MSS and SNH for SNH, with the same purpose as the video survey to collect quantative biological data. A total of 17 samples were collected during this survey for faunal and PSA analysis. Seastar Survey Ltd was contracted by SNH to undertake the infaunal analysis. MSS and SNH used the vessel MRV Alba na Mara for this survey - video samples were also collected from Little Loch Broom 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 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 2000 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -7.0696 -5.8310 57.4955 58.1395 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 44E3 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 44E4 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 45E3 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 45E4 2011-10-23 2011-11-03 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Moore, C.G. (2012). An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 507 Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefile 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 Little Minch and Shiant East Bank was collected by MSS between the 26th and 3rd November 2011 onboard the vessel MRV Alba na Mara. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 60 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed. The camera frame also carried a digital stills camera, which took vertically orientated photographs of the seabed at regular intervals, and a laser scaling system. Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs, with depths and positions also available at 10 second intervals for this survey. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Dr Colin Moore, 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, as far as possible. 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, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance according to a number of additional criteria, including citation on the following lists: the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (lower risk category), the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats and the Scottish Biodiversity List. Infaunal samples were collected at 17 stations using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. The samples each had a 5cm core subsample retrieved 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. PSA was undertaken by Seastar using a combination of wet and dry sieving techniques. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample.