AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
2017 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Carron benthic camera survey (September)

This drop-down video survey in Loch Carron was carried out by SNH in September 2017 from the vessel FV Shearwater. The survey built on three previous surveys of the Loch Carron MPA and adjacent waters in 2017 to further refine the distribution of key PMF habitats and condition of the recently identified flame shell beds to the North and West of Sgeir Bhuidhe. A total of 117 sites distributed throughout the MPA were surveyed. Further south of the MPA, 23 sites were surveyed between An Dubh-aird and Loch Alsh.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA benthic camera and grab survey

The  aim of this benthic survey in Loch Alsh, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH from the 26th-29th September 2015, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Marine Protected Area (MPA). Dropdown video drifts at 49 stations was one of the methods used to achieve this, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1415A). This survey also contributed to a monitoring programme (of management effectiveness) of refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 features adjacent to the partially overlapping Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and to a study of the distribution of protected features within the MPA. 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. 15 grab samples were also collected at 3 stations during this survey period to help assessment of the condition of the seabed habitats within the MPA. Sampling stations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat. Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2008 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lamlash Bay broad-scale mapping survey

In September 2008 a No Take Zone (NTZ) was established in Lamlash Bay (Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire) in Scotland following a consultation for a fishery order (under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984). The proposed NTZ was passed by the Scottish Parliament prohibiting all sea fishing within the NTZ. The main aims of this survey were to carry out an acoustic mapping survey with ground-truthing (camera deployments and sediment sampling) to create maps of the habitats and biotopes within the site in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The field work (acoustic and biological surveys) was undertaken between the 13th and 21st October 2008 with all survey operations conducted from the Fisheries Research Services (FRS) survey vessel Alba na Mara.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Loch Sween sublittoral survey

Sub-littoral sediment sampling in Loch Sween. The sampling was undertaken by SEPA for their routine monitoring of Loch Sween (Argyll). Loch Sween is a Scottish west coast fjordic sea loch located on the western side of the Kintyre peninsula and is a complex loch system with a number of unique geological and hydrographic features. The loch has been subject to a variety of monitoring and survey programmes and whilst a number of designated areas are present in or adjacent to the area (some with marine interests) the loch as a whole has no statutory nature conservation protection. To help target nature conservation action SNH and JNCC have generated a focused list of habitats and species of importance in Scottish waters - the Priority Marine Features (PMFs). Provisions to designate new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within Scottish waters have recently been introduced through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. A subset of the PMFs (MPA search features) will drive the identification of Nature Conservation MPAs. This study looked at existing survey data from within the Loch Sween area any data not currently held within Marine Recorder were entered into the database where appropriate

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) West of Islay benthic camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 0713S) west of Islay was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), because the area is one of a number of proposed renewable energy locations. An underwater video survey were conducted by MSS for MSS between the 21st June and 3rd July 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 39 sites. Analyses on the images, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. MSS used the vessel FRV Scotia for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) South Arran benthic camera and grab surveys

The primary aim of the grab survey was to establish current baseline conditions for a range of features present within the site, against which future change can be determined. The surveys were undertaken in two stages; in July and September 2015. 
     Benthic habitat survey of protected seabed habitats undertaken within the South Arran MPA between the 14th - 20th July 2015 by SNH for SNH on board the vessel MRV Seol Mara. 36 grab samples were collected at 4 sites within the South Arran MPA during this survey period (15-19th). Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken and biotopes assigned to each sample by Precision Marine Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH. Reporting of the results from the video survey in South Arran has not yet been completed.
     The aim of this benthic survey in South Arran, run by SNH for SNH from the 17th-21st September 2015 onboard the Marine Scotland Science vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1415A), was to assess the condition of seabed habitats within the South Arran ncMPA. 54 grab samples were collected at 5 stations during this survey period (17-20th). Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken and biotopes assigned to each sample by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH. Dropdown video drifts at 24 stations were also undertaken on this survey (17-21st). Reporting of the results from the video survey in South Arran has not yet been completed.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2017 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Rattray Head benthic camera survey

The primary aim of this contingency benthic survey off Rattray Head (Aberdeenshire), run by JNCC and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH on the 7th and 8th November 2017 using the vessel MRV Scotia (cruise 1517s), was to improve knowledge of the distribution of biotopes within the proposed Southern Trench MPA. Quantitative drop-down camera sampling, undertaken at 17 stations, was used to collect this data. 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.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2016 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Mull benthic camera survey

The primary aims of this benthic survey in the Sound of Mull, a region within the Loch Sunart and Sound of Jura MPA, were to monitor MPA management effectiveness and for contingency sampling to improve knowledge of the occurrence of species and habitats of recognized conservation importance. The survey was run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH on the 18th April 2016 using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 0616A). Drop-down camera sampling undertaken at 8 stations was used to collect this quantitative data. 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.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Article 4 Directions

Article 4 Directions are often used to protect the character and appearance of conservation areas, and they enable the Council to remove certain permitted development rights for an area.
Permission will be required for certain types of work, which would otherwise be permitted, for example, alterations to windows, doors, roofs, painting/rendering of the exterior of properties or alterations to boundary walls etc. may be restricted by an Article 4 Direction.


Organization: North East Derbyshire District Council
NatureScot Geodatabase of Marine features adjacent to Scotland (GeMS) dataset

Records are attributed as to their qualification as protected geodiversity features of protected areas within the Scottish MPA network. Contains key geodiversity areas, Quaternary of Scotland, Submarine Mass Movement, Marine Geomorphology of the Scottish Deep Ocean Seabed, Seabed Fluid and Gas Seep, Cenozoid Structures of the Atlantic Margin, Marine Geomorphology of the Scottish Shelf Seabed, Coastal Geomorphology of Scotland, Biogenic Structures of the Scottish Seabed and Longitudinal Bedform Features. In comparison with the terrestrial environment, the conservation of geodiversity (the variety of geological and geomorphological features and processes) in the marine environment has been largely overlooked, despite a great wealth of accumulated information and clear links between many terrestrial and marine features.  Legislation introduced through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 includes provisions for marine geoconservation in waters adjacent to Scotland (Marine Scotland, 2011a,b).

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2017 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Noss Head benthic camera survey

The primary aim of this benthic survey at Noss Head, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH between the 8th and 12th July 2017 using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1117A), was to improve knowledge of protected features within the MPA and biotope distribution out with the MPA. 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 126 stations at Noss Head. 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.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Loch Linnhe benthic camera survey

This SNH analyses of underwater video footage collected in Loch Linnhe is intended to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognised conservation importance and help to improve future nature conservation action by undertaking a marine habitat classification using JNCC standards, and to search for Priority Marine Features (PMF). A drop-down video survey to collect this benthic habitat data was undertaken by SEPA between the 23rd and 28th May 2014 on board the SEPA survey vessel Sir John Murray. The underwater video footage was collected using a high definition underwater camera system, custom built for the purposes of environmental monitoring by marine Scotland Science and SNH specifically for use on SEPA's survey vessel, at 81 stations. The seabed video and still photographic imagery material was collected as part of SEPA's work to gauge the health and ecological condition of coastal water bodies but passed to SNH to be analysed by a contractor to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Video runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other priority marine features (PMFs), as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Sutors spoil ground benthic camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 0713A) at Sutors was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs). This site was of interest because the area is a spoil ground located in the mouth of the Cromarty Firth. An underwater video survey were conducted by MSS for MSS on the 6th-7th June 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 5 sites. Analyses on the images, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. MSS used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Shetland benthic camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1013A) off the south east of Shetland was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), because the area is one of a number of proposed renewable energy locations. An underwater video survey were conducted by MSS for MSS between the 25th and 27th July 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 25 sites. Analyses on the images, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. MSS used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Moray Firth benthic camera survey

The main aim of this investigation in the Moray Firth off Banff, Aberdeenshire was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognized conservation importance. This site was selected for survey as it is a proposed renewable energy location. A drop-down video survey of benthic habitats was undertaken by MSS at 1 site on the 19th July 2014 on board the MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1214A). SNH analysis of this 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.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) St. Kilda sea caves site condition monitoring survey

The purpose of this survey of St. Kilda SAC sea caves, undertaken between the 15th and 17th August 2015, was to initiate site condition monitoring (SCM). The objectives of SCM were to establish a baseline biological data set that would facilitate the assessment of the condition of habitats in the future and to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats in the light of existing SAC management measures. At 4 selected sea caves, detailed biological and physical surveys were conducted; the topography was mapped and the biotopes surveyed by MNCR phase 2 methodology at relocatable points along the cave system. When wave surge prevented access to the caves, 3 rocky reef sites were targeted with the aim of surveying the biota along a relocatable transect running contiguously from the supralittoral into the sublittoral. Two other sea cave surveys were conducted as part of the same research cruise at North Rona SAC and Loch Eriboll.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Fyne (Otter Spit) Limaria bed diver core survey

Diver core sampling was undertaken at Flame shell (Limaria hains) beds in the vicinity of Otter Spit in Loch Fyne by SNH from 10th - 12th August 2015. Sampling was undertaken at the Loch Fyne and Loch Goil Nature Conservation MPA because they support a wide range of protected features, including those with a 'Recover' conservation objective. Replicate core samples were collected by divers along five 25m transects using a standard diver core. 28 infaunal samples were collected on this survey, but no PSA samples were taken. The position of each  transect and sample replicate station were recorded. In addition to the collection of infaunal samples, divers assessed the extent of the flame shell bed and permanent transects were established in five locations to enable relocation of the stations. Precision Marine Survey Ltd. were commissioned by SNH to undertake faunal analysis of the samples. Laboratory processing methodologies were based on best practice and followed NMBAQC guidelines.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) West of Mainland Orkney benthic camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1013A) west of Mainland Orkney was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), because the area is one of a number of proposed renewable energy locations. An underwater video survey were conducted by MSS for MSS between the 29th-31st July 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 46 sites. Analyses on the images, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. MSS used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Loch Siophoirt (Loch Seaforth) underwater video survey

This SNH analyses of underwater video footage collected in Loch Siophoirt (Loch Seaforth) is intended to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognised conservation importance and help to improve future nature conservation action by undertaking a marine habitat classification using JNCC standards, and to search for Priority Marine Features (PMF). A drop-down video survey to collect this benthic habitat data was undertaken by SEPA on the 7th and 8th June 2014 on board the SEPA survey vessel Sir John Murray. The underwater video footage was collected using a high definition underwater camera system, custom built for the purposes of environmental monitoring by marine Scotland Science and SNH specifically for use on SEPA's survey vessel, at 32 stations. The seabed video and still photographic imagery material was collected as part of SEPA's work to gauge the health and ecological condition of coastal water bodies but passed to SNH to be analysed by a contractor to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Video runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other priority marine features (PMFs), as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) Wester Ross NC MPA drop-down video survey

The primary aim of this benthic survey in Wester Ross, run by SWT for SNH on the 26th - 27th August 2015, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 0717A), was to refine knowledge of MPA protected feature distribution using quantitative drop-down camera. Dropdown video drifts were undertaken at 35 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; in particular maerl bed and flameshell bed. Runs traversing a sequence of habitats were split into corresponding segments. Species present were, as far as possible, identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale and biotopes were allocated based on the physical and biological attributes.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland (MS) Shiant East Bank benthic camera and infaunal grab survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 1213A) at Shiant East Bank in the Minch was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particuarly proposed protected features (PPFs) and other priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video survey was conducted by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for MS on the 21-24th September 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 36 sites within the Shiant East Bank area, that at the time of sampling was a Marine Protected Area (pMPA) search location, and grab sampling was undertaken in 14 locations. Analyses on the seabed video and still images, undertaken by Dr Colin Moore commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Infaunal analysis of the grab samples was undertaken by Precision Marine Survey Limited. SNH used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network