dbe9c8aaab9090eed04f97d4d0ff0ce4 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 habitat survey (May) 2018-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000345-MRSNH03000000029-LC Marine Recorder NS-000345 NatureScot project ID This work, undertaken by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) in May 2017, consisted of drop-down video, infaunal grab and diver surveys from the vessel MRV Alba na Mara and the SNH RIB Aphrodite. The primary objective of the work was to corroborate reports by recreational divers highlighting impacts to a flame shell bed off Sgeir Bhuidhe and provide commentary regarding the levels of damage to the bed. A total of 16 dive sites were examined by SNH divers and 11 drop video runs throughout the flame shell bed extent and surrounding area of Sgeir Bhuidhe were done using MSS drop-down video equipment. A total of 16 grab sample sites were also surveyed to validate video footage in areas where divers were not deployed and to enable infaunal community composition and Limaria size composition. In addition to these surveys, an SNH drop-video survey was also undertaken at 30 near-shore sites largely within the outer region of the MPA. 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 Not for navigational use; 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: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/; additionally its re-use and dissemination is permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner SNH. otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access 100 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.7280 -5.5350 57.3160 57.3890 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 42E4 2017-05-03 2017-05-05 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 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 MSS surveyed (03-04/05/2017) the presumed extent of the Flame Shell bed using a combination of drop-down video and infaunal grab sampling methods from the vessel MRV Alba na Mara. Six drop-down video runs (LC-V2 - LC-V7) were carried out throughout, with an additional short test run (LC-V1) to the east of the bed. A further four runs (LC-V8 - LC-V11) were carried out in a reference area of similar mixed substrates and depth approximately 1 km south of Sgeir Bhuidhe. Run durations averaged 32 minutes. Positional and depth data were recorded. Both SD and HD video were recorded, with an overlay of position, depth and time on the SD footage. Detailed track data at 1 second intervals was also recorded digitally. Still photographs of the seabed were taken along the video transects at intervals of approximately 1 minute. To validate the video footage in areas where divers were not deployed and to enable an assessment of infaunal community composition and Limaria size composition on the bed, single grab samples were collected at sixteen sites in both surveyed areas using a 0.1 m2 Day grab. The grab contents were subsampled for particle size analysis, photographed and then sieved using a 1 mm mesh. Species present were, as far as possible, identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale. Biotopes were allocated based on the physical and biological attributes. Habitat transition points recorded using the time, position and depth from the overlay data. The biota collected from the grab samples was analysed for species composition and abundance by Precision Marine Survey Ltd (Hull), who also measured the dimensions of specimens of Limaria hians, as well as processing the particle size analysis samples. SNH undertook a dive survey (03-04/05/2017) and a drop-down video survey (05/05/2017) from the RIB Aphrodite. Three dives were completed on the Flame Shell bed off Sgeir Bhuidhe in order to examine the condition of the bed and to aid validation of the accuracy of the indicative habitat distribution map. HD video and still imagery was collected of the pristine flame shell habitat and of evidence of physical disturbance such as dredge tracks and damaged biota. Eleven spot dives were undertaken to investigate the wider distribution of flame shells and other PMFs in the outer part of the loch system, and another two dives were carried out off the slipway at North Strome to confirm the current status of the flame shell bed there. Imagery was obtained at all dive sites, with video at 12 and still photographs at 8 of the total of 16 sites examined. Additionally, a programme of near-shore, hand-hauled, drop-down video sampling was undertaken. Thirty brief (2-6 minutes duration) drop-down video runs were carried out within the MPA, but with eight sites just beyond the outer margin of the MPA in an area of recorded maerl and seagrass beds. A GoPro camera was programmed to take still images at 5 second intervals in addition to HD video footage. Start and end depths are recorded for each video, however the absence of tracking data prevented identification of the position and depth of boundaries between habitats along the video run.