Marine_Scotland_FishDAC_1752 eng dataset Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 marinescotland@gov.scot pointOfContact 2016-05-09 MEDIN Discovery Metadata Version 2.3.7 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 OGP 0104H- HERAS west coast herring acoustic survey-MFV Enterprise HERAS, West coast, acoustic survey , MFV Enterprise FR 365 2016-05-09 publication Marine_Scotland_FishDAC_1752 Daily folders (19) of Simrad format (.ek5) acoustic data.17 Echoview format (EV) format analysis files. Excel biological data for 42 pelagic hauls. 2 sound files for cetacean work Objectives: 1. To conduct an acoustic survey to estimate the abundance and distribution of herring in the north western North Sea and west of Scotland (ICES area VIaN) as part of the ICES International North Sea Herring Acoustic Survey. 2. To obtain samples of herring for biological analysis, including age, length, weight, sex, maturity and ichthyophonus infection. 3. To obtain samples of herring in support of the WESTHER project (biological and photographic data). 4. To collect passive acoustic data for the detection of cetaceans. Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot pointOfContact Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot custodian Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) +44 (0)300 244 4000 Mailpoint 11, Area 1B South, Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ United Kingdom marinescotland@gov.scot distributor University of St Andrews +44 (0)1334 476161 library@st-andrews.ac.uk originator Not Planned Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Acoustics Biota composition Fish SeaDataNet Agreed Parameter Groups 2010-10-23 revision Acoustic backscatter in the water column Fish abundance in water bodies Fish biomass in water bodies Fish morphology, age and physiology BODC Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2011-03-25 revision Open Government License (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/) otherRestrictions no limitations to public access 55000.00 eng oceans -10 -3 55.5 60 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 40E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 42E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E0 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 40E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 42E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E1 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 40E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 42E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E2 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 41E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 42E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 43E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 47E3 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 44E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 45E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 47E4 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 47E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 48E5 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 46E6 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 47E6 ICES Rectangles 1910-01-01 creation 48E6 SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision The entire body of water between the bed and the atmosphere. 2004-07-06 2004-07-25 https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/information_and_inventories/cruise_inventory/search/ Reference info #0 Electronic - 33.6GB - Daily folders (19) of Simrad format (.ek5) acoustic data.17 Echoview format (EV) format analysis files. Excel biological data for 42 pelagic hauls. 2 sound files for cetacean work dataset All gear was transported to Fraserburgh on 5 July and installation was complete the same day. Scientific staff joined the vessel at 1900 on 5 July and it departed at 0400 on 6 July. A small meeting was held with all scientists, and crew taking a navigational watch, to explain the objectives of the survey and to describe general operating procedures. The vessel then proceeded to Loch Eriboll where calibration of the three transducers was carried out starting at 1300 on 6 July. The survey commenced in the North Minch at 0200 on 7 July. Zig-zag transects at a spacing of 15 nmi were adopted in the Minch. On reaching the southern limit of the Minch, transects progressed northwards along lines of latitude, at spacings of 15, 7.5 or 3.75 nautical miles (nmi). Transect spacing was based on the results of previous surveys and transects were placed relative to ICES rectangles. Transects extended as far as the shelf edge (450 m contour) to the west, and as far as safely possible to the east, on approaching the coast. A half landing took place on 16 July in Ullapool in accordance with rest provision for the working time directive and for the exchange of personnel (F Burns and C Millar for O Goudie and D Beare). All three transducers were calibrated once again in Loch Broom prior to landing. The vessel resumed surveying at 1800 on 17 July. North of the Hebrides, transects extended from the shelf edge to longitude 3° West, progressing northwards as far as 59°57’ North. The survey was completed on 24 July at 1145. The vessel returned to Fraserburgh on the morning of 25 July. All equipment was unloaded the following morning and returned to Aberdeen. Results The survey was completed successfully, with no time lost due to weather and no damage to the acoustic gear or fishing gear. The total mileage surveyed was approximately 2500 nmi with 1051 acoustic log intervals recorded, providing approximately 20 GB of data (*.ek5 files). All acoustic data were scrutinised and saved as daily Echoview (*.EV) files. Two successful calibrations were carried out, which gave consistent results to within 0.08 dB for the 38 kHz transducer. Fishing exercises were generally successful; 42 trawls were taken, of which 37 contained herring. In addition to length frequency data, a total of 2321 herring were sampled for weight, sex, maturity and otoliths. Digital photographs and associated biological samples of herring were taken for the WESTHER project: a total of 455 adults and 50 juveniles. Continuous passive acoustic recordings were made at 0.1-20 kHz and 110-150 kHz for the detection of dolphin whistles and clicks. Visual sightings of common dolphins and white beaked dolphins provided complementary data. Preliminary indications are that the amount of fish detected was in line with previous surveys. Medium sized schools of herring were detected all along the west of the Hebrides between the 100 and 200 m contours. However, unlike previous years, no significant concentrations were detected at Gallan Head and Barra Head, and very few herring were detected in the Minch. Most of the fish was concentrated in the northern half of the survey area, particularly west of Papa Bank (north west of Orkney). Herring schools were generally more diffuse than in previous years, with the exception of one extremely dense school of herring detected immediately north west of Orkney east of 4° longitude. A full stock estimate and survey report will be prepared shortly.