SCIENCE@SEA
Multidisciplinary Ship-based Training
Cork, Ireland
19th November 2010
RV Celtic Voyager
Practical Information
Science@Sea Multidisciplinary Research Vessel-based Training Course originally to be held in Cork,
Ireland on Thursday 18th to Friday 19th of November 2010; but subsequently changed to a one day
course held on Friday 19th of November 2010, as the ship could not make it down to Cork in time
because of bad weather . The course aims to introduce undergraduate science students to practical
marine science through the core disciplines of Oceanography, Benthic Ecology, Fisheries Biology and
Marine Geophysics. The course comprised of an intensive day trip onboard the 31.4m Irish National
research vessel the R.V. Celtic Voyager carrying out practical multidisciplinary marine science sample
collection and data acquisition.
Contact Details
We established, and intend to maintain, Contact with the main organisers, who were on board for the
trip :
Pauhla McGrane 00 353 (0)87 950 0911 ; John Boyd 00 353 (0)85 821 8452.
Meeting Times
Participants joined the R.V. Celtic Voyager at Albert Quay between 08:45 and 09:00hrs after which the vessel wi
departed Cork city returning at 16:30hrs.
R.V. Celtic Voyager
The R.V. Celtic Voyager is a 31.4m multi-purpose research vessel owned by the Irish Marine Institute. The vessel
has wet, dry and chemical laboratories, which are permanently fitted with standard scientific equipment.
Additional equipment to address specific sampling and data acquisition requirements is mobilized prior to each
survey. The vessel is maintained to a high standard and manned by a very experienced crew who are highly
skilled in handling and deploying scientific equipment. Further details in appendix.
CTD deployment on the RV Celtic Voyager
Page 2/20
Training Schedule & Survey Plan
Cork Harbour is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County
Cork, Ireland. The cruise track and sampling areas are shown in Figure 2. Sampling consisted
of CTD casts and grab samples taken on 5 stations as the research vessel was in transit down
river. This was followed by shooting the beam trawl off Whitegate and passage out to the
multibeam box (in red) for preliminary surveying. Access to the multibeam box is dependant
on weather conditons. In the event of rough seas operations will take place in the sheltered
expanse between Cobh and Roche’s point.
. The rest of the day will focus on using multibeam, CTD, grabs, cores and VPH to survey the
designated multibeam box.
Figure 2: Survey track and approximate locations for training activities
Page 3/20
Training:
participants were divided into 2 groups with 6 students in each. The curriculum consists of the following
modules:
 Welcome and Vessel orientation (15 mins) & Safety Tour (15 mins)
 Presentation: Research Vessel Operations and Capabilities (15 mins)
 15 minute theoretical sessions (oceanography, geophysics, benthic ecology and fisheries)
 1hr practical sessions in oceanography, geophysics, benthic ecology and fisheries biology.
 Survey Design and Planning (30 mins) & Bridge tour with the Captain
 Presentation of practical Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) excercise.
Page 4/20
Station Positions
Action
Area
CTD
CTD/Grab
CTD/Grab
CTD/Grab
CTD/Grab
CTD/Grab
Trawl Start Point
Trawl End Point
Multibeam Start line
Tivoli
Passage West
Monkstown
Cobh
Dogsnose deep
Roches Point
SW Whitegate
Dognose
North
South
North
South
Multibeam End line
Decimal Degrees
-8.41573
-8.33538
-8.32556
-8.29671
-8.27113
-8.27222
-8.27004
-8.27238
-8.24479
-8.24464
-8.23349
-8.23349
51.8997
51.87628
51.84104
51.84696
51.81468
51.78536
51.82232
51.81484
51.7645
51.75103
51.76434
51.75103
Degrees Minutes
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
24.944
20.123
19.533
17.802
16.268
16.333
16.202
16.343
14.688
14.678
14.009
14.009
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
51
53.982
52.577
50.462
50.818
48.881
47.122
49.34
48.89
45.87
45.062
45.861
45.062
Page 5/20
Appendix I: Celtic Voyager
Page 6/20
Page 7/20
Page 8/20
Page 9/20
Integrated Marine Exploration Programme
Increasing capacity through Support, Training and Infrastructure
The Marine Institute’s Integrated Marine Exploration (IME) programme is an
innovative, strategic approach to develop and augment national capacity for executing world
class multidisciplinary marine scientific research. The programme is funded under the
Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) and aligned with the Sea Change plan.
The IMEP aims to further build capacity in multidisciplinary marine science research and
technology by providing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Annual Competitive Grant-aided Ship-time
Marine Institute-led Ship-based Training
Support for Integrated Research and Dedicated Training
Deep-sea Research and Innovation.
The investment in the four areas of Infrastructure, Training, Research and Innovation will
facilitate an integrated approach to marine research and provide Irish scientists with
increased access to the National research vessels, thereby maximising research
opportunities within Irish waters. Our Students and especially Environmental Science
students and Fishery students should should tap into this resource to further their
knowledge in the marine section of the Environment, which will be an immensely important
source of energy, geological and biological resources (eg. fish and invertebrate stocks).
While on board we were introduced to the INFOMAR programme. This is a joint venture
between the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute and is the successor to
the Irish National Seabed Survey. The Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), a multimillion
European initiative supported by the Irish government. The survey aimed to map Ireland's
220 million acres of territorial seafloor, a natural resource that is approximately ten times
the size of Ireland's land area. Phase 1 of the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) is now
complete, and we are currently in Phase 2: Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable
Development of Ireland's Marine Resources (INFOMAR). While Phase 1 concentrated on
outer deep-sea territorial waters, Phase 2 has moved inshore to coastal waters. INFOMAR
aims to map the remaining 13% of the Irish territorial seafloor, concentrating on specific
areas of interest such as priority bays and areas of biological interest. . Covering some
125,000 km² of Irelands most productive and commercially valuable inshore waters,
INFOMAR will produce integrated mapping products covering the physical, chemical and
biological features of the seabed. Initially, INFOMAR will focus on 26 bays (including Donegal
Bay) and 3 priority areas (shown in map). This information is readily available via the web
and could be accessed by our students as a source of supplementary data for their projects.
We at IT, Sligo should aim to be a centre for marine research in the North West Region (e.g.
Donegal Bay).
Page 10/20
Day Grab (with weights)
Sorting table with sieve and hopper
Environmental Monitoring of the Sea Bed
The seafloor is a very suitable indicator of stresses on the marine environment and can act
as an early warning system. These stresses can originate from natural and/or anthropogenic
sources. The condition of the seafloor (physical, chemical and biological) has been shown to
modify in response to external influences. For example, organic matter falling to the seafloor
may increase oxygen demand in the vicinity and stress and/or kill organisms located therein.
Surveys using a variety of tools have been used to assess natural conditions prior to
development or to assess the conservation status of an area. The Marine Environment and
Food Safety Services Benthic Monitoring Unit is responsible for the review and assessment
of existing and proposed activities that may have an influence on the marine environment.
Activities Requiring Benthic Monitoring
Dumping at Sea
Activities such as maintenance dredging of shipping ports and navigation channels that
remove large amounts of sedimentary material from one marine area generally are
discarded in other marine areas, if an alternative use cannot be found. The spoil area will
require an extensive benthic survey to determine a baseline set of data that can be referred
to in subsequent monitoring programs. The disposal of fish waste and other organic material
is another issue that typically requires a survey of the benthic environment in order to assess
the impact of the activity.
Point Source Discharge
Marine areas influenced by point source effluent (i.e., sewage outfalls) require pre/post
benthic surveys to assess the impact of the organic and nutrient input on the environment.
Page 11/20
Finfish Aquaculture
Finfish farming (salmon and trout) are carried out along the Western seaboard of Ireland.
These activities result in inputs to the marine environment in the form of wasted feed and
faecal material. This organic rain falls to the seafloor and can result in stress on benthic
environment. As a result, aquaculturists monitor the benthic environment with a view to
minimising the impact.
Benthic Monitoring Protocols
In May 2000, the Department of Marine and Natural Resources implemented a series of
Protocols to monitor fish farming activities in Ireland. An annual benthic monitoring survey
forms a part of these protocols. In the event of a breach of the allowable impact levels,
suitable management modifications are implemented to reduce the impact and allow a
suitable degree of recovery of the benthic environment.
Benthic Monitoring Tools
There are a number of tools utilised to monitor the benthic environment. These range
from observational (qualitative) surveys carried out by divers or Remotely Operated
Vehicles (ROVs) or (semi-quantitative) surveys using dredges or beam trawls (only
semi-quantitative because of large mesh sizes used on the nets, and because they
bounce along the bottom), to more quantitative surveys carried out using a variety of
grabs and cores. We used the Day Grab on this trip (see photograph above). In some
cases in-situ sediment profiling equipment (Sediment Profiling Imagery - SPI) whose
images can be interrogated using a variety of investigative software are used.
On this trip the beam trawl (see photo below) was used primarily to obtain samples of fish
stocks. However, invertebrates found in it were used, in addition to those obtained in the
Day grab samples (which, because of time constraints, were only partially sorted out of the
sediments, without using microscopes or stains), along with (superficially only visually examined
on this occasion) sediment samples, taken from the grab and other environmental
parameters, to show the range of fauna and the habitat present. We were shown how the
Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR) SACFOR abundance scales (Superabundant,
Abundant, Common, Frequent, Occasional, Rare) could be used to interpret species numbers
and along with the physical data, tentatively suggest what biotope was being sampled on
each occasion.
Normally objective interpretation using classificatory separation techniques of computer analysis
of a large number of stations and biological and physical/chemical parameters (e.g. using
similarity indices between stations) would be need to separate regions into different Biotopes; or
cluster analysis involving the study of principal component analysis of physical/chemical and
biological parameters; both of which are very time consuming methods. ‘Real ship-time’, quick
and less accurate methods such as SPI can be used to make real time interpretations and
judgements on board , which could be used to modify sampling regimes immediately. These can
later be verified by the more conventional (tested over time ) methods.
Page 12/20
Species found in Beam Trawl Fri 19 November 2010
Fish : Commercial Species
Common Name
Species Name
Plaice
Pleuronectes platessa L
Dab
Limanda limanda (L)
Flounder
Pleuronectes flesus (L)
Cod
Gadus morhua L
Whiting
Merangius merlangus (L) Gadus merlangus
Bib (Pouting)
Trisopterus luscus (L)
Pollach
Pollachius pollachius (L)
Common eel
Anguilla anguilla (L)
Black Sole
Solea solea (L)
Lesser spotted Dogfish Scyliorhinus caniculus (L)
Murmaid’s Purse
(no tendrils = rays or skate)
Non-Commercial Species
Common Name
Species Name
Dragonet
Callionymus lyra L
2 Spot Goby
Gobiusculus flavescens (Fabricius)
Great Pipefish
Syngnathus acus L
Garfish
Belone belone
Long spined sea scorpion Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen) (Cottus bubalis)
Species found in Beam Trawl Fri 19 November 2010
Phylum Echinodermata: The Starfish and sea urchins
Common Name
Common starfish
Spiny starfish
7 armed starfish
Sea potato
Brittle starfish
Species Name
Asterias rubens L
Marthasterias glacialis (L)
Luidia ciliaris (Philippi)
Echinocardium chordatum (Pennant)
Amphiura sp.
Phylum Crustacea
Common green shore crab
Carcinus maenas (L)
Edible crab
Cancer pagurus L
Harbor Swimming crab Liocarcinus depurator (L)
Velvet Swimming crab Liocarcinus puber Necora puber (L)
Hermit crab
Eupagurus bernhardus (L)
Pagurus bernhardus (L)
Small Spider crab
Macropodia sp.
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Common whelk
Class Bivalvia
Razor fish
Clam
Smoth Artenis Clam
Buccinum undatum (L)
Ensis sp.
Venerupis / Tapes sp.
Dosinia lupines (L)
Abra alba
Page 13/20
Holland I Deepwater ROV - Remotely Operated Vehicle
The Marine Institute operates a Deepwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) which was
funded by the European Regional Development fund (ERDF). While on Board we were
shown video clips of the operation of this machine.
The vehicle is named the Holland I after John Phillip Holland from Liscannor, Co. Clare,
Ireland who was an early inventor and builder of submarines.
This 3000 metre rated system allows an expansion in the level of deepwater research
undertaken by Irish researchers as well as being available as a national resource to state
agencies in emergency situations such as casualty investigation, wreck surveys or salvage.
The ROV system was designed and built by SMD Ltd (Newcastle, UK) and is designed to be
capable of accommodating a wide range of user equipment without modification from the
outset. Ample space is available within the vehicle frame for accommodation of scientific
payload, numerous survey ports for a wide variety of equipment including multi-beam, CTD,
nutrient sensors as well as numerous spare serial and I/O ports which have been incorporated
into the system to allow a wide range of scientific sensors to be deployed.
The vehicle is equipped with a high level of auto control features including auto hold which is
invaluable in the completion of delicate scientific tasks. The vehicle is also equipped with the
latest underwater camera equipment including a HDTV camera and recording system to allow
the capture of high definition footage for a variety of uses. Download more detailed ROV
Specifications if you require more information.
The system is a fully contained system including launch and recovery systems and whilst
primarily designed to operate from the RV Celtic Explorer, is readily capable of mobilization
from a range of suitable vessels as required.
Further information may be obtained from RV operations at rv@marine.ie.
Page 14/20
Fisheries Surveys
Beam Trawl
Sorting Tray
The Marine Institute has a large number of fisheries surveys on R.V. Celtic Explorer, RV.
Celtic Voyager, and commercial vessels throughout the year. These fisheries surveys provide
critical information on the status of fish and shellfish stocks. This information is used to
assist with sustainable management of our marine resources.
Fisheries surveys are specifically designed to satisfy multiple objectives and are often cross
disciplinary in nature. In addition to collecting fisheries data the surveys provide important
information on the wider marine environment. Fisheries surveys are also used as a training
platform for many students who participate in the scientific programmes. Our students should
tap into these.
Irish Groundfish Survey
Fisheries Science Services (FSS) carries out the Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS) as part of an
internationally co-ordinated survey effort that takes place in the 4th quarter annually around
the Atlantic shelf waters of Ireland.
Purpose of Survey
A broad spectrum of data is collected during the survey, but the overriding objective is to
provide information on commercially exploited fish stocks. In particular the survey provides
an index of the proportion of juveniles in the stock, which in turn gives an indication of its
spawning success. This is an important source of information not available from commercial
landings due to the necessary minimum fish length restrictions on commercial catches.
In addition, the survey provides data on species and environmental parameters in areas of both
high and low commercial activity. This gives a better context to data for the entire survey area
as opposed to focusing entirely on traditional fishing “hot-spots” that can remain stable while
significant changes in surrounding background abundance and distribution go un-noticed.
Page 15/20
In total 170 stations are carried out annually over 6 weeks in the ICES fisheries management
areas VIa, VIIb,g&j indicated by red solid lines on the map. Circles indicate completed valid
tows and hauls where damage or other problems occurred are indicated by an X.
How the Groundfish Survey works
The International Bottom Trawl Survey Working Group (IBTS) co-ordinates demersal trawl
surveys under ICES for the North Sea and Northeast Atlantic. In order to make data as
comparable as possible each survey, including the IGFS, operates under a set of agreed
standard protocols. Each tow is 30min long and takes place during daylight hours at 3.5-4
knots. Net geometry and ground contact is monitored and logged.
Once the catch is aboard it is sorted into species and samples taken for calculation of number
at length for all fish, elasmobranch and commercial squid species. Other species such as the
benthos are weighed and/or counted. As management of commercial stocks is largely based
on data for each age class of fish, samples are also taken for most commercial fish species to
determine their age, sex and maturity.
It is important to recognise that trawls are quite selective in what they catch and their
efficiency can change under different conditions. As it is difficult to ascertain what is not
sampled by a trawl, a lot of the work of the survey staff involves keeping sample procedures
as standard as possible to ensure all catches are as comparable as possible. Length frequency
mearurement categories are now standard among all EU Countries, and we observed and used
these methods.
Biological Survey
histological sample of fish gonads showing developing eggs
Purpose of the Survey
The survey is intended to collect information on maturity, sex ratio, growth, etc. for a
number of species that are of commercial importance. The survey takes place in early spring,
the time when most fish spawn. It is important to sample during the spawning season as
immature fish can be easily distinguished from mature fish during this time.
Page 16/20
Why is it important?
In order to assess the state of a fish stock, fisheries scientists need to know more than just
the size of the stock. It is important to know how many fish are reproducing and how fast
they grow and reach maturity in order to know how resilient a stock is to fishing
exploitation.
Which species are targeted?
The main species that are targeted by the survey are: cod; haddock; whiting; hake; pollack;
anglerfish; plaice; megrim; black sole; blue whiting; mackerel; herring and various rays. We
sampled some of these species on our trip (see Table). The species we caught were very
representative of what is normally caught in this region off Whitegate.
When is a fish considered mature?
During the spawning season, the gonads (ovaries and testes) of mature fish expand to many
times their original size; it is assumed that fish with undeveloped gonads will not spawn
during that particular spawning season and that all other fish will contribute to spawning.
The development of the gonads is classified according to a maturity scale. Download
maturity scales (PDF, 1.1 MB) for the main commerical fish species of importance to Ireland.
How the survey works
The survey consists of a number of short fishing tows, scattered throughout the survey area.
The fish in each haul are sorted by species and then weighed and measured. We were
introduced to these standard measurement practices.A number of fish from each haul are
selected for age determination and to establish their sex, maturity stage and weight. We
were shown how to obtain otoliths from Cod and Plaice. After the data have been analysed,
the results are presented to ICES working groups that assess the stock size and give advice
on the management of fish stocks.
Nephrops Under Water TV Surveys
Nephrophs survey sledge
Page 17/20
The prawn (Nephrops norvegicus) are common around the Irish coast occurring in
geographically distinct sandy/muddy areas were the sediment is suitable for them to
construct their burrows. Nephrops spend a great deal of time in their burrows and their
emergence from these is related to time of year, light intensity and tidal strength. The Irish
Nephrops fishery is extremely valuable with landings in recent years worth around €30 m at
first sale supporting an important indigenous processing industry. Since demersal fish like
Cod eat Nephrops the fate of both of these fisheries are ecologically intertwined
The Marine Institute has been using underwater television surveys to independently
estimate abundance, distribution and stock sizes of Nephrops on the Aran Grounds and
Western Irish Sea. Data are also collected on Nephrops behaviour and the impact of fishing
activity on the seabed. While we were on board the RV Celtic Voyager we were shown video
footage displaying survey techniques
How Under Water TV Surveys Work
During these surveys an under water video camera is towed over the sea bed for around
200m and 0.8 knots on a purpose built sledge. The number of Nephrops in the seabed are
counted by experienced scientists. These burrow density estimates are then interpolated for
the entire area of the Nephrops grounds using geostatistical methods.
Recent Survey Results
Each year the Marine Institute carries out three underwater TV surveys on the Aran
Grounds, Galway Bay and Slyne Head grounds in the west of Ireland, in the Celtic Sea, and in
the Western Irish Sea. Results of these surveys are submitted to annual ICES working groups.
These recent reports can be downloaded for each of the survey
Page 18/20
Certification
When our students have completed the Marine Institute-led Ship-based Training course,
they will receive a certificate similar to those obtained by Guy Marsden and Bill Crowe
Science@Sea courses are recognised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and
Technology (IMarEST: http://www.imarest.org) as contributing towards the Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) of marine scientists. As such, all those who successfully
completed the course were awarded a certificate.
Page 19/20
Foreign Vessel Surveys
In any year, up to approximately 50 foreign marine scientific research programmes (FMSR)
are undertaken in Irish waters. If scientists or postgraduate students are interested in
partaking in any of these surveys as an observer details of future trips and application forms
to join may be found on the Marine Institute Foreign Vessel Observer Scheme . Our
students should gain Marine experience here, if they are interested in pursuing a marine
direction to their studies. or having the option to do so. There may be opportunities to
undertake research projects and collect samples for undergraduate or postgraduate
research projects.
However there are some prior Requirements:



Some prior seagoing research experience is essential (Hence the importance of the Science at
Sea National Research Ship time Training programme.
All observers must present valid up to date ENG 11 medical and Sea Survival certificates.
Observers should have a background and active involvement in marine research.
Both Guy Marsden and Bill Crowe have Sea Survival certificates. Bill Crowe in addition has a
PhD in the Benthic Biology / Ecology field, has completed a Course in Marine GIS from
University College Cork, while Guy Marsden has his Captain’s Ticket and is very experienced
with GIS and Computer technology.
SmartBay Galway is a national research infrastructure project. It comprises of a network of
buoys, seafloor cables and other infrastructure, supporting a range of sensors, information
systems, telemetry and other communication technologies. Together they provide the basis for
in-situ, real time oceanographic monitoring.
Page 20/20