ce8a534f-3580-4b23-8004-3f0097c97b5b English series series 2026-02-05T11:40:13 MEDIN 3.1.2 biota oceans Bird counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Cetacean behaviour SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Seal behaviour SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Seal abundance SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Cetacean abundance SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Pre-Construction monitoring The Crown Estate Renewable Energy Development Phases 2012-05-15 revision Agreement for Lease Area The Crown Estate Renewable Energy Development Areas 2012-05-15 revision Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2009-07-31 revision SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2020-05-21 revision water column 2022-05-14T23:00:00 2024-05-11T23:00:00 -4.332 -4.8004 53.242 53.4331 TCE-3875 Marine Data Exchange 2022-2024, Bangor University, Morlais, Marine Characterisation Research Project Seabird and marine mammal observations (WP11) Marine Characterisation Research Project Seabird and marine mammal observations (WP11) DONT PUBLISH 2023-12-01T00:00:00 creation 2026-01-07T14:09:52 publication 2023-07-15T00:00:00 revision English This data series was collected for the Marine Characterisation project (MCRP) which forms part of the Morlais tidal energy project, managed by Menter Môn and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and The Crown Estate. The series is comprised of monthly observational boat based line transect surveys carried out within the Morlais Demonstration zone to understand spatial and temporal variation in the distribution of seabirds and marine mammals. Please see other data packages associated with WP11: 2022-2023, Bangor University, Morlais, Marine Characterisation Research Project - Echosounder surveys (WP11) 2022-2023, Bangor University, Marine Characterisation Research Project, Marine mammal Acoustic Surveys (WP11) Access to the MCRP data is strictly subject to the MCRP Data Terms of Use. Please ensure that you read and understand the Terms of Use prior to using any of the data as you will be bound to comply with the same. The MCRP Terms of Use are the prevailing Terms of Use and supersede that of Marine Data Exchange Terms of Use in relation to MCRP data. https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/content/info/terms-of-use otherRestrictions https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/content/info/terms-of-use otherRestrictions The Crown Estate +44 020 7851 5000 enquiries@thecrownestate.co.uk custodian Researcher Researcher Bangor University School of Ocean Sciences dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk originator The Crown Estate +44 020 7851 5000 enquiries@thecrownestate.co.uk distributor Mentor Mon helenr@mentermon.com owner notPlanned Database https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/TCE-3875/summary A link to the web service or dataset. https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk A link to the general host site. 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 2010-12-08T00:00:00 publication Conformity with the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 was either not relevant to this dataset or not a requirement of the Marine Data Exchange for the creation and submission of this dataset ; therefore, conformity has not been assessed and cannot be declared False series On the lower platform, two experienced observers focussed on detecting seabirds, one scanning for seabirds on both sides of the vessel and the other recording sightings called out by the observer. Whilst Natural Power only covered one side of the vessel, effectively covering both sides is possible because the observation platform has unobstructed views of port and starboard. However, to reduce the chance of seabirds being missed or abundance misrepresented, there was an additional observer at times when there were large aggregations of seabirds present (i.e., during the bird breeding season), with one observer focussing on port and the other observer focussing on starboard. To improve collection of key information, information not relevant to objectives and analyses were not recorded as standard. For example, waders and passerines seen in flight and/or in small numbers were ignored; behaviour was summarised into broad and objective categories rather than complex and subjective categories sometimes used in ESAS approaches. On the upper platform, two experienced observers focussed on detecting marine mammals, both scanning to 90° either side of the vessel for marine mammals, and each recording sightings as they occurred. The observer team rotated tasks regularly to avoid fatigue. Observation conditions were recorded every 5 minutes, and GPS positions were logged every 1 minute. The observation conditions recorded included vessel speed over ground, vessel heading, sea state (Beaufort scale), glare, precipitation, swell height, and visibility. The specific information collected during surveys are provided in the Annex. On the lower platform, two primary observers scan ahead and to 90° either side of the vessel, recording marine mammal sightings as they occurred (as described above). On the upper platform, two independent observers scan ahead of the vessel and to 90° either side of the vessel. When a marine mammal is sighted, the independent observers record the relevant details. Once the animal has passed the bow of the boat, they confirm with the primary observers whether they saw the same animal(s), and if so, record the sighting as a duplicate with an associated level of confidence. To ensure accurate distance estimation, observers practiced on suitable targets (i.e., buoys, small vessels) using rangefinder binoculars before starting surveys. It was not possible to use rangefinder binoculars to provide a distance to the animal during surveys due to the movement of the boat and the brief time the animals spend at the surface. Throughout the transect, the hydrophone was towed approximately 100m behind the vessel. Hydrophone data is recorded and processed by a laptop running the PAMGuard software default porpoise click detector in real time (Gillespie et al 2009). Acoustic data was collected during all surveys apart from those conducted in May 2022, as the hydrophone was not yet ready for deployment, and November 2022, due to a technical error. Observers on the viewing platform are unaware of recordings being made by the hydrophone. The specific information collected during surveys are provided in the Annex. ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd enquiries@abpmer.co.uk pointOfContact EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2022-11-29 revision WGS 84