2017 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Moray Firth benthic camera survey

The primary aim of this benthic survey in the Moray Firth, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH on the 13th July 2017 using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1117A), was to refine the distribution of biotopes including Annex l habitats. This 1117A survey is part of a series of surveys conducted around the North-east coast of Scotland, at Noss Head, Moray Firth and Southern Trench, to establish the extent of benthic habitats. Quantitative drop-down camera sampling was used to collect this data at 23 stations. Through the analysis of seabed video, the images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance.本次马里湾底栖生物调查由苏格兰自然遗产（Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH）与苏格兰海洋科学协会（Marine Scotland Science, MSS）联合执行，作业依托MSS旗下科考船MRV Alba na Mara，航次编号1117A，于2017年7月13日开展，核心目标是厘清包括附件I生境在内的生物群落生境的分布格局。本次1117A航次调查是苏格兰东北海岸系列调查的组成部分，该系列调查覆盖尼斯角、马里湾与南海沟区域，旨在摸清底栖生境的整体分布范围。本次调查在23个站位采用定量下放摄像采样法采集数据，通过分析海底视频，基于物理结构与物种组合特征描述海底环境属性。研究人员对航次航段及分段进行评估，核查是否存在保护特征及其他PMFs，以及具有公认保护价值的物种与生境。