We steamed through the early morning up to Barmade Bank
where previously collected acoustic back scatter data indicates that there are
outcrops of chalk reef. Here we will be collecting additional video data to
help us understand the range and extend of different habitats within in the
North Sea area.
Map of Cefas Endeavour's Progress |
The night shift have done a grand job collecting drop video transects across the site. Tim managed to capture a photo of the second Monkfish of the survey, other highlights were several squat lobsters and an edible crab.
We didn’t hit rock every time, but even the sands had a few
interesting specimens to offer, including a fair few sea pens. These are found
in the soft coral group of animals, they are plankton feeders and anchor themselves
in muddy or sandy ground, and prefer deeper waters were they are less likely to
be disturbed by water movements.
Sea Pen |