2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Aquatera Noss Head seabed ROV survey

The purpose of this benthic survey off Wick to Noss Head was originally needed to aid in the routing of an electrical cable and the original survey was commissioned by Scottish and Southern Energy Ltd., contracting to Aquatera Ltd and Triscom Marine. SNH analysis of the survey data was for the purpose of delineating a Modiolus bed. The overarching aim was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video and was conducted by Triscom Marine for Aquatera Ltd on the 21st and 22nd October 2010 using an ROV to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. ROV runs were undertaken at 10 sites in the area. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages.本次威克至内斯角海域外的底栖生物调查（benthic survey）最初目的是为电力电缆路由规划提供技术支撑，原始调查由苏格兰及南方能源有限公司（Scottish and Southern Energy Ltd.）委托，阿夸特拉有限公司（Aquatera Ltd.）与特里斯科海事公司（Triscom Marine）承接执行。苏格兰自然遗产（SNH）对本次调查数据开展分析的目的是划定贻贝床（Modiolus bed）的分布范围。本次调查的总体目标是加深对具有公认保护价值的物种与栖息地——尤其是优先海洋保护特征（priority marine features, PMFs）——的出现情况与分布格局的认知。2010年10月21日至22日，特里斯科海事公司受阿夸特拉有限公司委托，使用遥控水下机器人（ROV）开展水下视频调查，以采集研究区域内海底物种与现存栖息地特征的详细生物学信息。该区域共设置10个站点开展遥控水下机器人作业。科林·摩尔博士（Dr Colin Moore）受苏格兰自然遗产（SNH）委托对采集到的影像进行分析，以此从物理结构与物种群落组成两方面描述海底环境的特征。