AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
CE15016 Irish Groundfish Survey Leg 1

This survey was conducted on board the RV Celtic Explorer in 2015 by the Marine Institute (MI) as part of the annual groundfish survey to determine the distribution and abundance of commercial fish around Ireland.     The Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS) forms part of the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) programme, an international survey effort coordinated by the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Each year the survey, taking place in Autumn/Winter, collects demersal trawl and ancillary data in Irish waters to produce relative abundance indices for fisheries management.  In particular the survey provides an index of the share of young fish in the stock, which in turn gives an indication of its spawning success. The IGFS contributes to Ireland’s international obligation to supply scientific data that support the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).     This survey is a series of demersal sampling trawls at pre-defineds stations. The 2015 survey took place over 2 legs. Leg 1, the more northerly ICES Area,  took place in late September and early October, and Leg 2, in the western and southern areas was carried out during November/December.    In order to make data as comparable as possible, each survey operates under a set of agreed standard protocols. Each tow is 30min long and takes place during daylight hours at 3.5-4 knots. Net geometry and ground contact is monitored and logged. All fish and commercial shellfish are sorted to species level prior to taking lengths and other biological measurements such as age, sex and maturity. The primary goal of the Irish Groundfish Survey is to develop estimates of juvenile abundances for important commercial fish species. Measurements of the abundance of juvenile fish are a critical measure of the health of a stock, serving as an annual indication of recruitment (the number of newly spawned fish which enter the population each year) success or failure. Most importantly, they allow forecasting of future commercial abundance. In addition, the Irish Groundfish Survey provides data on the distribution and biology of commercial and non-commercial species of ecological interest, as well as hydrographic and environmental observations.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE15002 EM302 Acceptance Trial Survey

A 10 day sea window was identified in February 2015 to do the formal Ship Acceptance Tests for the EM302 as well as continue to assess the EM2040 performance on board the Marine Institute&#039;s R.V. Celtic Explorer. The tests were designed to be conducted on the Irish continental margin at depths of up to 4500m. A forecast storm however, required that the deep water testing be shifted down into the Bay of Biscay. Complete acceptance testing for new EM302, EM2040, Echoes 3500t7 systems and get training on the EM302 and the Echoes systems.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16015 Shallow Sub-Seabed Seismic Stratigraphic Survey (QuERCi II)

This survey is a follow up to the Quantifying EnviRonmental Controls on Cold-water coral Reef Growth (QuERCi) survey which investigated cold-water coral mounds on the southern lip of the Porcupine Bank Canyon and discovered an extensive field of corals attached to the near-vertical rock face on the upper canyon flank. QuERCi and QuERCi_II aim to understand the role of cold-water corals in canyon processes, map and explore the coral and canyon floor habitats and collect sample to assess temporal changes in the canyon environment.    This survey took place in May 2016 on board the R.V. Celtic Explorer in the North East Atlantic Ocean (the Porcupine Bank Canyon). Shipbased multibeam coverage of the area was extended on the previous survey, attempts to collect gravity cores were conducted, however operations were unsuccessful (with the exception of core catcher retrievals) on all mound, slope and within canyon sites. Two Holland I ROV dives were completed to collect coral samples and further explore the Porcupine Bank Canyon coral habitat. A Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) was onboard to record marine mammal sightings. - Further evaluate the status of cold-water coral reefs in the Porcupine Bank Canyon Special Area of Conservation (SAC)  - Assess faunal distributions on the steep canyon wall habitats  - Conduct visual surveys for cetaceans

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16013 Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University Newfoundland Survey

Fisheries Acoustic Survey off Newfoundland Canada. Acoustic trawl survey of the shelf-slope area of NAFO divisions 3NOPs. The goal is to quantify and get biological information on the gadoid species complex occurring in the area that include Atlantic cod, haddock, pollock and silver hake. We also aim to describe habitat and environmental drivers in the system.    Primary operations will include:    - Operation of EK60 fisheries echosounder and multibeam sounder  - Approximately 50 fishing sets using Campelen bottom trawl  - Approximately 25 CTD/plankton sampling stations  - Approximately 12 moored camera deployments

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16012 INFOMAR (Seabed Mulitbeam) Survey

The INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The programme is a successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in the near-shore area.    This cruise took place on board the R.V. Celtic Explorer in 2016 from 14th-22nd of September approximately 150 Km south of the Cork coast.  In order to avail of the offshore seagoing capabilities of the R.V. Celtic Explorer, an area relatively far from the coast and very exposed to weather was deliberately selected.     Surveys conducted include:  Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES) hydrographic survey to International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Order 1a standard.   Bathymetry survey: to produce bathymetry shaded relief and backscatter mosaic products which provide depth, seabed features and seabed hardness information.   Sub Bottom Profiler (SBP) survey: to acquire data of the shallow (up to 30 metres) sub seabed to determine the existence of buried objects and ascertain the sub-seabed character.   Groundtruthing was performed with a vibrocorer. 10 vibrocore samples were collected.     An area of 715km2 was covered during this survey. High resolution multibeam mapping of the seabed. High resolution shallow seismic data and magnetometer data.  Testing SBP and MBES configurations for the 2017 season where we anticipate using the CE for a longer time period and vibrocoring operations to circa. 100 metres, using stern of the ship&#039;s position.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16008 Fisheries Western European Shelf Pelagic Acoustic Survey (WESPAS) Leg 1

Acoustic surveys are generally carried out on spawning and pre-spawning aggregations of fish. Outside of the spawning season many pelagic species are generally very scattered over a large geographical area and difficult to detect using acoustic methods. A cruise track is first formulated with data from previous surveys, commercial catch data and the help of the fishermen and fishing industry. This survey took place on board the RV Celtic Explorer in June 2016.    The Western European Shelf Pelagic Acoustic Survey (WESPAS) survey program is the consolidation of two existing survey programs carried out by Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Service (FEAS) in the Marine Institute. The Main Shelf herring acoustic survey has been carried out annually since 2008 and reports on the annual abundance of summer feeding aggregations of herring to the west of Scotland and north of Ireland. The boarfish survey has been carried out since 2011using a chartered fishing vessel and reports on the abundance of spawning aggregations of boarfish 47N to 57N. In 2016 both surveys were combined and carried out onboard the RV Celtic Explorer over a 42 day period providing synoptic coverage of shelf waters from 59N southwards to 47N.    Age stratified relative stock abundance estimates of boarfish, herring and horse mackerel within the survey area were calculated using acoustic data and biological data from trawl sampling.     Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) data was aquired at 77 predetermined stations. Zooplankton sampling was carried out alongside CTD stations. Marine mammal visual and acoustic surveys (passive acoustic monitoring) were also conducted. The main purpose of the cruise was to determine the relative abundance of the target species. This information is then used to determine catch rates and management advice for the following year.    Other objectives include collecting physical oceanography (CTD) data and visual surveys and acoustic surveys for marine mammals, and visual surveys for seabirds.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16006 Submarine Canyon Ecosystem Services Survey

This survey, led by National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), took place in May/June 2016 on board the Marine Institute&#039;s R.V. Celtic Explorer in the North East Atlantic Ocean. The survey was Submarine Canyon Ecosystem Services Survey using the remotely operated vehicle ROV Holland 1. 21 dives in total. were carried out . CTDs (conductivity-temperature-depth) sampling was also conducted. (i) ascertain potential geological controls on the morphology of the canyons and the biodiversity by sampling and analysing lithified substrates.  (ii) reconstruct past surface-water properties (temperature, salinity) and sedimentological history from long (gravity corer) and short (ROV-deployed minicores) sediment cores.  (iii) quantify the magnitude, quality and variability of organic matter fluxes in different canyon branches through pumped and ROV-housed water sampling systems and hydrographic measurements.  (iv) determine the source (weather vs. anthropogenic trawling) of increased and extensive suspended sediment load in different canyon branches by analysing down-core sediment composition of ROV- and gravity cores.  (v) explore the flux of microplastics through the system, since the deep sea has recently been shown to be a major sink for microplastic debris (Woodall et al. 2014). We will record microplastic presence in cores taken from the thalweg and upper slopes, to determine whether the unique hydrographic processes in submarine canyons act to conduct microplastics to the deep.   (vi) better understand the community ecology of benthic megafauna in submarine canyon ecoystems, by collecting biological samples for identification purposes and subsequent molecular work (phylogeography and molecular ecology), collecting and deploying experiments in collaboration with other researchers, and by analysing ROV video transects.  (vii) exploit the opportunity to obtain targeted samples for the Beaufort Marine Biodiscovery Programme from an area which is highly vulnerable to sampling with any other gear.  (viii) synthesise the data from components (i) to (vi) above to provide an integrated view of ecosystem functioning within submarine canyons and the contstraints placed upon them by geological, recent and evolutionary history, to determine their importance in the wider ecosystem, the services that they provide, and the potential impacts future anthropogenic effects might have on these ecosystem services.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16003 Mackerel Egg Survey 2016

Every three years the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) coordinates a series of mackerel and horse mackerel egg surveys covering the eastern Atlantic from Gibraltar to the north coast of Scotland between January and July. The aim of this survey programme is to assess the northeastern Atlantic mackerel and horse mackerel stock. The Marine Institute participates in this programme and covers stations in the Celtic Sea.     This survey was carried out in the Celtic Sea and Southwest of Ireland in February 2016 on board the R.V. Celtic Explorer. The aim of this survey programme is to assess the northeastern Atlantic mackerel and horse mackerel stock.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16002 Ocean Climate Sections and Geology Survey Galway Bay

CTD and plankton net sampling oceanographic survey This cruise seeks to provide Irish data to the ICES Working Group on Oceanic Hydrography (WGOH). The WGOH produces the annual ICES Report on Ocean Climate (IROC) which summarises oceanic variability from year to year in the ICES region. The cruise objectives are designed to deliver this data to the IROC effort on an annual basis. Survey data will also meet the requirements of the ICES WGOH national reports and contribute to other WGs such as the ICES Working Group on Zooplankton Ecology and OSPAR. The WGOH provide support to other expert groups who require information on oceanic hydrography as well as expert knowledge and guidance to the ICES Data Centre.  The cruise is designed to collect multidisciplinary information, which will support the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) and Climate Change assessments related to physical conditions, marine chemistry (dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon/Total alkalinity, dissolved organic carbon/total organic carbon, salinity, dissolved oxygen), fish larval and zooplankton (copepods) assemblages, marine mammals and ocean litter (marine microplastics).  The survey will also contribute to national research projects that focus on the temporal dynamics of environmental variables influenced by climate change related processes in offshore deeper territorial waters.  The proposed continuation of the standard sections will provide a time series to assess inter-annual variability of physical and biogeochemical conditions at the continental margin that impact on marginal ecosystems through many trophic levels, such as plankton community distribution, fisheries and benthic systems such as cold water coral reefs.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE16001 Fisheries Anglerfish and Megrim Trawl Survey

This survey (leg one and two) of the 2016 Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (IAMS) took place from 4-24th January on RV Celtic Explorer, led by the Marine Institute. Leg three and four took place  25th February to 6th March 2016.  The IAMS survey is coordinated with the Scottish Anglerfish and Megrim survey (SIAMISS) and uses the same gear and fishing practices.     The main objective of the survey was to obtain biomass estimates for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) and establish an abundance index for megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and L. boscii) in VIa (south of 58°N) and VII (west of 8°W).     Sampling stations were selected at random. A standard commercial otter trawl was used, and trawled at 3kn for one hour at each station. 70 valid tows were carried out. All fish and invertebrate species were sorted and weighed. No CTD transects were completed. The main objective of the survey is to obtain biomass estimates for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) in and establish an abundance index for megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and L. boscii) in VIa (south of 58°N) and VII (west of 8°W). Secondary objectives are to collect data on the distribution and relative abundance of anglerfish, megrim and other commercially exploited species. The survey also collects maturity and other biological information for commercial fish species.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE17017 Irish Groundfish Survey Leg 2

This survey was conducted on board the RV Celtic Explorer in 2017 by the Marine Institute (MI) as part of the annual groundfish survey to determine the distribution and abundance of commercial fish around Ireland.     The Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS) forms part of the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) programme, an international survey effort coordinated by the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Each year the survey, taking place in Autumn/Winter, collects demersal trawl and ancillary data in Irish waters to produce relative abundance indices for fisheries management.  In particular the survey provides an index of the share of young fish in the stock, which in turn gives an indication of its spawning success. The IGFS contributes to Ireland’s international obligation to supply scientific data that support the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).     In Irish waters, France and Ireland survey the Celtic Sea area, Ireland surveys the shelf West of Ireland, Ireland and the UK Scotland cover the north coast of Ireland and the UK and Northern Ireland survey the Irish Sea.     This survey is a series of demersal sampling trawls at pre-defineds stations. The 2017 survey took place over 2 legs. Leg 1 focused on the northerly ICES Area and took place in October, while Leg 2 in the western and mainly southern areas was carried out from 5th November to 9th December.  The western areas were not as extensively surveyed in 2017 due to difficulties with the neighbouring EVHOE survey (conducted by France). This resulted in number of days being allocated to completing 22 hauls south of the normal IGFS survey range. Time was allocated mostly from ICES areas 7bc.    In order to make data as comparable as possible, each survey operates under a set of agreed standard protocols. Each tow is 30min long and takes place during daylight hours at 3.5-4 knots. Net geometry and ground contact is monitored and logged. All fish and commercial shellfish are sorted to species level prior to taking lengths and other biological measurements such as age, sex and maturity.    Additional oceanographic data on conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) was also collected. The primary purpose of the Irish Groundfish Survey is to develop estimates of juvenile abundances for important commercial fish species. Measurements of the abundance of juvenile fish are a critical measure of the health of a stock, serving as an annual indication of recruitment (the number of newly spawned fish which enter the population each year) success or failure. Most importantly, they allow forecasting of future commercial abundance. In addition, the Irish Groundfish Survey provides data on the distribution and biology of commercial and non-commercial species of ecological interest, as well as hydrographic and environmental observations.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE17016 Irish Groundfish Survey Leg 1

This survey was conducted on board the RV Celtic Explorer in 2017 by the Marine Institute (MI) as part of the annual groundfish survey to determine the distribution and abundance of commercial fish around Ireland.     The Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS) forms part of the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) programme, an international survey effort coordinated by the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Each year the survey, taking place in Autumn/Winter, collects demersal trawl and ancillary data in Irish waters to produce relative abundance indices for fisheries management.  In particular the survey provides an index of the share of young fish in the stock, which in turn gives an indication of its spawning success. The IGFS contributes to Ireland’s international obligation to supply scientific data that support the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).     In Irish waters, France and Ireland survey the Celtic Sea area, Ireland surveys the shelf West of Ireland, Ireland and the UK Scotland cover the north coast of Ireland and the UK and Northern Ireland survey the Irish Sea.     This survey is a series of demersal sampling trawls at pre-defineds stations. The 2017 survey took place over 2 legs. This survey,  Leg 1, focused on the northerly ICES Area and took place in October, while Leg 2 in the western and southern areas was carried out during November/December.    In order to make data as comparable as possible, each survey operates under a set of agreed standard protocols. Each tow is 30min long and takes place during daylight hours at 3.5-4 knots. Net geometry and ground contact is monitored and logged. All fish and commercial shellfish are sorted to species level prior to taking lengths and other biological measurements such as age, sex and maturity.    Additional oceanographic data on conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) was also collected. The primary purpose of the Irish Groundfish Survey is to develop estimates of juvenile abundances for important commercial fish species. Measurements of the abundance of juvenile fish are a critical measure of the health of a stock, serving as an annual indication of recruitment (the number of newly spawned fish which enter the population each year) success or failure. Most importantly, they allow forecasting of future commercial abundance. In addition, the Irish Groundfish Survey provides data on the distribution and biology of commercial and non-commercial species of ecological interest, as well as hydrographic and environmental observations.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute
CE17015 Celtic Sea Herring Acoustic Survey

This survey was conducted by the Marine Institute in Autumn 2017 as part of the annual Celtic Sea Herring Acoustic Survey. The aim of an acoustic survey is to determine the relative abundance of the target species. This information is then used to determine catch rates and management advice for the following year.    In the southwest of Ireland and the Celtic Sea herring are an important commercial species. Since 2004 the acoustic survey has been carried out in October on-board the RV Celtic Explorer. The geographical confines of the annual 21 day survey have been modified in recent years to include areas to the south of the main winter spawning grounds in an effort to identify the whereabouts of winter spawning fish before the annual inshore spawning migration.     The 2017 survey covered the area from Mizen Head in Co. Cork and extended along the south coast into the Celtic Sea.    For biological sampling, a single pelagic midwater trawl was used. A total of 14 trawl hauls were carried out . All components of the catch from the trawl hauls were sorted and weighed; fish and other taxa were identified to species level. Length measurements of herring, sprat and pilchard were taken. Acoustic data were collected using the Simrad EK60 scientific echosounder. Visual marine mammal and seabird surveys were also conducted during daylight hours. Oceanographic data (conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD)) was collected at preset stations. The aim of the acoustic survey is to determine the relative abundance of the target species, herring. This information is then used to determine catch rates and management advice for the following year.    Other objectives include collecting physical oceanography data and visual surveys for marine mammals and seabirds.

Tags: environment
Organization: Marine Institute