MARINElife and CEFAS Team-up for Offshore
Survey of Western Channel, Celtic Sea and Northern Bay of
Biscay
MARINElife has teamed up with CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Science) to undertake a three-week offshore
research survey of the Western Channel, Celtic Sea and Northern Bay
of Biscay.
On 18th May
2011 three MARINElife volunteers will join the multidisciplinary
research team aboard RV Cefas Endeavour to collect
effort-related cetacean and seabird sightings data. From the
food-rich waters at the mouth of the Loire Estuary off the Brittany
Coast out to the edge of the continental shelf off south west
Ireland, this epic voyage is likely to deliver an excellent variety
of marine wildlife. Cetacean species likely to be encountered
include White-beaked Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Common Dolphin,
Risso's Dolphin, Minke Whale, Long-finned Pilot Whale and Fin
Whale, with Humpback Whale and White-sided Dolphin also
possibilities. Migratory seabirds encountered are likely to
include Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pomarine Skua and
Long-tailed Skua.
Cetacean and seabird sightings data collected by MARINElife will
complement the pelagic fish and plankton surveys and oceanographic
data collected by CEFAS during this survey with an aim to link
cetacean and seabird distribution to prey availability. Data
collected will contribute towards the CHARM III Project.
This scientifically crucial survey will operate from
18 May until 9 June and regular updates of the species encountered
will be posted on MARINElife's CHARM III Channel Marine Mammal and Seabird Survey
Blog so please bookmark this page and become a follower. And
don't forget to check back here on the MARINElife News page to read
the summary of sightings once the survey is complete...
