Today marks our third day of sampling on
the Dogger Bank Site of Community Importance (SCI), where we’re gathering
evidence to help inform future monitoring options. Weather conditions have so
far been exceptional with the water colour resembling what you would imagine seeing
in some sort of tropical paradise rather than the North Sea!
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| Scientists and crew deploy a grab into the azure waters of the North Sea (A. Cunha JNCC) |
At our first survey area we are collecting
data for a Before-After Control Impact (BACI) study. This type of study is designed
to experimentally test the effects of a particular event, such as closing an
area to fishing or exposing an area to contamination. Samples are taken before
the event happens both inside and outside of the affected area. The same
locations are then sampled a period of time after the event to see if any
changes can be measured. Sampling a control area is important as this helps us
to say whether any change measured is happening because of the event or if it
can be attributed to other variables or natural variation.
Our sampling strategy involves collecting
grab samples of the seabed to examine the animals living within it and get an
idea of the types of sediment that are present. We’ve also been carrying out
camera sledge tows and small scientific trawls to see what animals we can find
living on the surface of the seabed. Sifting through the animals to classify
them by species and size can be a risky business, with the swimming crab Liocarcinus being particularly
pinchy!
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| Handle with care! Liocarcinus crabs like to snap at the fleshy fingers of unsuspecting scientists... (A. Cunha JNCC) |
