1999-2009 UMBSM Clyde Sea Fairlie Channel Beam Trawl Survey

To investigate the benthos biodiversity of the Fairlie Channel, in the Firth of Clyde, semi-annual beam trawl samples were taken, as part of undergraduate field courses in marine biology at the University Marine Biological Station Millport. A species list of demersal fish and epibenthos was compiled. Samples were normally taken in March/April and August/September. A Beam trawl, deployed by UMBSM RV Aora (22m), was used to collect and sample benthos. The Beam trawl was towed at a depth of 36m for a distance of 1.4km at a speed of 2.3 knots. Trawls were approximately 15 minutes in duration. The trawl were 3m in width and 1m in height. Mesh size of the trawl net was 70mm. Once the catch was hauled on to the deck of the research vessel, a representative sample of all fauna present was collected and taken back to the laboratory at UMBSM. All other animals were returned to the sea undamaged. At the laboratory, samples were held in classroom tanks and identified to species level under the supervision of academic members of staff. Once species were identified, they were returned to the sea.