c2a6f370f1d4e952d783678361fdeb09 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 2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) North Westray seabed camera survey 2011-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000138-MRSNH01800000007-NW Marine Recorder NS-000138 NatureScot project ID 1210a MMS cruise ID The purpose of this benthic survey off North Westray was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), and to ground-truth multibeam data. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by MSS for MSS on the 10th of September 2010 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 1 site in an area of rapid currents in Westray Firth. 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. 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 occurences 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 permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions No restrictions on public access English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -2.8981 -2.8673 59.1778 59.1997 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Atlantic Ocean Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Scottish Continental Shelf ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 47E7 2010-09-10 2010-09-10 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Moore, C. G. and Roberts, J. M. (2011). An assessment of the conservation importance of species and habitats identified during a series of recent research cruises around Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 446. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefile Image 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 subtidal seabed data from Westray Firth, North Westray, was collected by MSS on the 10th September 2010. Video images were obtained from a drop-down video camera system deployed just above the seabed. The camera frame also carried a digital stills camera, which took vertically orientated photographs of the seabed at one minute intervals. Positional date was only available for the start and end of the run. Depth data were not supplied, and so approximate values were derived from plots of the positions of the starts and ends of runs on digital Admirality charts. 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.