The Cross Service Pilot Survey is a collaborative Marine Institute project, bringing together scientists from various service areas within the Institute such as Fisheries Science Services, Marine Environmental Food Safety Services and Ocean Science Services (Seabed Survey and Oceanographic Services).
The aim is to develop a multi-disciplinary team that integrates cross-service areas of expertise within the Marine Institute, such as fisheries, environmental monitoring, oceanography and seabed mapping techniques. Pilot surveys provide the ideal opportunity to test, develop and improve team procedures and interactions.
Survey Area
The chosen survey area is a dredging dumpsite located at the mouth of Waterford Harbour, close to a known herring spawning ground.
The survey objective is to determine the fate of the dumped material, thereby facilitating an assessment of the impact of dumping operations on the immediate dumpsite and the surrounding area. Disposal of dredge spoil constitutes a strong impact on the sediment distribution and seabed morphology, and potentially impacts the adjacent herring spawning beds.
Survey 1
The first cross service survey (CV0433) took place from the 6th to 10th December 2004.
At the beginning of the survey programme CTD (conductivity, temperature & depth) samples were collected over the survey area to determine the oceanographic conditions off the South East Coast.
Habitat mapping was then carried out using the EM1002S multibeam echo sounder, sub bottom profiler and the ECHO PlusÓ Acoustic Ground Discrimination System.
Ground-truthing of the acoustic data was achieved by using grabs, dredges and an underwater video camera mounted on a towed sledge.
A number of dredges were taken within the previously mapped herring spawning beds to locate herring spawn.
Survey 2
The second survey (CV0434) took place from the 17th to 23rd February 2005. In addition to the above techniques, water samples were taken and plankton fishing carried out.
