b825e3c8a5488a9f301bd5e6cb9c0156 English dataset NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-09 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Alsh benthic camera and infaunal grab survey 2015-12-31 publication MRSNH0300000000A Marine Recorder NS-000259 NatureScot project ID The main aim of this investigation in Loch Alsh (within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh marine protected area (MPA)) was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognized conservation importance, including protected features burrowed mud and flame shell beds. This site was selected for survey because it is an MPA. A drop-down video survey and a grab survey of benthic habitats was undertaken by SNH from the 25th to 26th March 2014 on board the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) research vessel Sir John Murray. Underwater video footage was collected using DDV camera system at 52 sites within the MPA. Analysis of seabed video and still photographic imagery is used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. On the same survey and research vessel, SNH collected single infaunal grab samples at 12 stations for Marine Scotland. 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 Environment Protection Agency Data manager sea.gateway@sepa.org.uk originator 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 2025-06-09 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-09 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 to be used for navigation. This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensititive; 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 permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions No restrictions on public access 500 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.7773 -5.5166 57.2426 57.2980 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 2014-03-25 2014-03-26 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Allen, J.H. 2014. Infaunal and PSA analyses of benthic samples collected from Loch Alsh, in March 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 790; Moore, C.G. 2015. Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in marine protected areas and renewable energy locations around Scotland in 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 819 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 Loch Alsh was collected by SNH on board Sir John Murray on the 25th and 26th March 2014, covering the areas within and immediately outside Loch Alsh in water depths ranging from 6m - 78m. This data were collected using a mini-drop down video system. HD GoPro video footage was recorded at 52 stations. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by SNH contractor Dr Colin Moore to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Biotopes were allocated based on the biological and physical attributes. Where the video run traversed a sequence of biotopes, the run is split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the time, position and depth. Grab samples were collected at 12 stations, undertaken over the same 2 survey days as drop down video. At each station, a single grab was collected using a 0.1m2 Day grab. A total of 12 infaunal samples were collected during the survey, although particle size analysis (PSA) samples were only collected at 10 of these stations. Each infaunal grab sample was passed through a 1mm mesh sieve and the infaunal sieve residue retained and fixed with buffered formalin for subsequent analysis. A small subsample of the grab was removed for PSA analysis and stored in plastic bags before being frozen. Precision Marine Limited were contracted by SNH to undertake infaunal analysis of the grab samples. This included infaunal identification, PSA, assigning of a biotope to each sample, and identification of protected features. All laboratory methodologies were based on best practice and Precision Marine Survey Ltd is a member of the NMBAQC.