2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Wester Ross MPA benthic camera survey (August)

The main aim of this benthic habitat survey in the Wester Ross MPA was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. The survey was undertaken by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) on board the MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1414A) on the 9th to 12th August 2014. A drop-down video survey of benthic habitats was undertaken at 27 sites in the Ullapool Approaches, within the MPA. Analysis of seabed video and still photographic imagery is 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. This survey was part of a two week research cruise undertaking work in the MPAs Wester Ross, Fetlar to Haroldswick, Mousa to Boddam and Noss Head collecting drop-down video footage, grab samples and sandeel dredge tows.

本次西罗西斯海洋特别保护区（MPA）底栖生境调查的主要目标是提升对具有公认保护价值的物种及其栖息地发生与分布的认知。此次调查由苏格兰自然遗产保护局（SNH）和苏格兰海洋科学（MSS）在2014年8月9日至12日乘坐MSS船只“阿尔巴·纳·马拉”（MRV Alba na Mara，航次1414A）进行。在MPA内的乌尔波普近海区域的27个地点进行了底栖生境的垂下式视频调查。通过分析海底视频和静止摄影图像，以物理结构和物种群落为依据，对海底的形态进行描述。对运行和运行段进行了评估，以确定是否存在受保护的特性及其他重要海洋生物多样性特征，以及具有公认保护价值的物种和栖息地。此次调查是为期两周的研究航次的一部分，航次工作覆盖了包括西罗西斯、费特拉至哈罗德斯维克、莫萨至博达姆以及诺斯海德在内的多个MPA，收集了垂下式视频资料、抓取样本和鳗鱼拖网样本。