2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) South Arran MPA benthic camera and dive survey

The purpose of this benthic survey around South Arran was to collate the evidence base for the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and to establish a baseline against which to assess the effectiveness of any new management measures. An underwater video and a dive survey were conducted between the 15th and 26th September 2015 to collect detailed biological information on three of the MPAs protected features: 'maerl beds', 'kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment' and 'seagrass beds'. MNCR phase ll style dive surveys were conducted at 6 sites within the South Arran MPA and drop-down video tows were undertaken along 177 transects within 6 search areas of the MPA. SNH used SEPAs survey vessel Kelpie to undertake both surveys.本次南阿伦周边底栖生物调查的核心目标，是为海洋保护区（Marine Protected Area）整理相关证据基础，并建立评估基线，以用于后续评估各类新增管理措施的实施成效。2015年9月15日至26日期间，项目团队开展了水下视频调查与潜水调查，以采集该保护区三处保护对象的详细生物信息：玛珥藻床（maerl beds）、潮下带沉积物生境上的褐藻与海藻群落，以及海草床（seagrass beds）。本次调查在南阿伦海洋保护区内的6个站位，采用海洋自然保护评估（Marine Nature Conservation Review，MNCR）第二阶段标准开展潜水调查，并在保护区内6个搜索区域内沿177条样线实施了下放式视频拖曳调查。苏格兰自然遗产署（SNH）使用苏格兰环境保护局（SEPA）的调查船“凯尔皮号（Kelpie）”完成了全部两类调查工作。