Marine Directorate Communications

Written 357 posts

Sampling Herring Larvae in the Dark

31st January 2019

MRV Scotia Survey: 0219S Programme Duration: 24 January – 13 February 2019 Fishing Gear: GOV Trawl (BT 137) with ground gear A & B; MIK Net (Round Frame with IK depressor); and MIKeyM net (attached onto the MIK net on selected stations). Objective: Complete an internationally coordinated demersal trawling survey in the North Sea in…

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Meet Rebecca Langton – Species Distribution Modeller

30th January 2019

In our series of Science in Government Conference posters Rebecca Langton tells us about the MarPAMM (Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring) Project and how she contributes to finding out where vulnerable species are on the seabed.  Read on to see what a typical day would be like for Rebecca.     Further Information: Follow…

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Scallop Stocks and Starfish Species

29th January 2019

MRV Alba na Mara Survey: 0219A Programme Duration: 24 January – 06 February 2019 Fishing Gear: Scallop dredges Objectives: Carry out a survey of scallop stocks around the Shetland Islands. Age, measure and assess shell damage on all scallops caught. Collect information on by-catch of other commercial fish and shellfish species. Identify, quantify numbers, and…

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Meet Mike Watson – Underwater Observation Specialist

28th January 2019

In our series of Science in Government Conference posters we now have Mike Watson – an integral part of the Engineering Group.  Mike is involved with the design, development, maintenance and operation of underwater observation systems and tells us how he overcomes some of the more challenging aspects of his job.     Further Information:…

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Mud, Fish and Marine Litter

23rd January 2019

The first survey of the year for the MRV Scotia (0119S) involved sailing around Scotland for two weeks collecting a range of samples such as: water, fish, mud, marine litter. Below is a picture of the team obviously looking forward to being away for two weeks. The Scotia sailed from Leith on a surprisingly calm…

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Camera Trials and Nephrops Trawls – An Update

21st January 2019

After a timely departure from Fraserburgh on Saturday the 5th of January, Alba na Mara sailed for the west coast to carry out underwater TV work on Nephrops grounds. The first task involved deploying a time lapse camera, attached to a large frame, in Upper Loch Torridon.  This was followed by a short steam to…

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Reviewing our Year of Science

18th January 2019

Today sees the publication of our Annual Science Review for 2017/18. The Review, which highlights the impacts and achievements of Marine Scotland Science (MSS), details the overall contribution and support that our scientists make to the work of Marine Scotland. During this period we have published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and supported more than 75…

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Camera Trials and Nephrops Trawls

16th January 2019

Survey: 0119A Alba na Mara Programme Duration: 05 – 21 January 2019 Objectives: Calibrate the RoxAnn Acoustic Seabed Mapping System. Obtain video footage to estimate Nephrops burrow entrance size. Compare two different methodologies to establish Nephrops burrow abundance using the sledge and drop frame underwater TV (UWTV) systems. Monitor burrow reconstruction following trawl activity. Trial…

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A Century’s Worth of Data

14th January 2019

The Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen has been collecting offshore water samples and taking related measurements since the 1890’s. Yet, while the equipment we use has changed a lot since that time, mostly due to advances in technology, the parameters we sample have remained the same. The Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Oceanography Group will soon be…

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Meet Andy Wilson – Assistant Environmental Chemist (Modern Apprentice)

19th December 2018

In our series of Science in Government Conference posters we now have Andy Wilson – Modern Apprentice and Assistant Environmental Chemist.  Andy gives us an insight into what a day in his work life is like as he prepares and analyses samples. Further Information: Science in Government 2018 posters Meet Pablo Chevallard our Renewables and…

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