Marine

Sunbeam Surveys going Swimmingly

May 21, 2018 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Marine Directorate Surveys, Marine Planning, Marine Renewables, Research Vessel Surveys

Scientists from Marine Scotland Science (MSS) have recently been operating on Fraserburgh pelagic trawler Sunbeam (FR 487) to survey salmon smolts at various points on the Scottish east coast. Operating in the Moray Firth, Firths of Forth and Tay, MSS used a specially designed net for sampling very close to the surface.

The net incorporates video recording capability and checks for Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags on fish, which are essentially barcodes that give reliable data on specific animal movement. The net can be operated either open-ended, with no fish retained, or with a small cod end, to retain fish for genetic assignment to regions and in some cases rivers of origin. The survey went well and in accordance with the full programme designed for survey 0718H.

Further Information:

• Survey 0718H – Salmon Smolt surveys on the Sunbeam
• Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags in the Study of Animal Movement
• Smolt Treatment & Returns Study

Tags: Moray Firth, pelagic, Sunbeam, Survey, Tay, Trawler

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