Summer Surveys
This summer PrePARED have conducted several successful summer surveys. These include;
- Data collection to support Workpackage 1 including surveys on broad-scale fish distributions in the Forth & Tay;
- Fisheries acoustic survey of pelagic fish including pelagic tows
- Seabird at sea survey
- Demersal fish survey
- CTD stations measuring conductivity, temperature, pressure, dissolved O2 concentration, chlorophyll a and salinity at depth
- Surveys to support research on fine-scale fish distributions in the Forth & Tay by mapping predatory/demersal fish abundance. At the end of July, a survey will commence conducting Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and trap surveys.
- Data collection supporting Workpackage 3 including fisheries acoustic transects, pelagic and demersal trawls and CTD casts in the Moray Firth to support large-scale and fine-scale fish distribution research (Tasks 3.1 and 3.2)
- To support Task 3.3 on fish acoustic telemetry in the Moray Firth, 2 x 1 week boat surveys were undertaken to Moray Firth windfarms with acoustic receiver arrays serviced and data downloaded. Fish tagging also took place with 1 cod and 4 whiting being tagged.
Quarter 2: General Updates
Today some of the #PreParedProject ECR were #CreatingConnections at this @royalsociety event in Edinburgh.
— Dr Oihane Fernandez (@OihaneFdez) June 7, 2023
🗣️ A day full of fruitful and interesting conversations
✅ Bringing policy, industry and ECR from academia all in one place: what a great initiative! pic.twitter.com/eTbdkYChHJ
- The project management team have allocated a contract for a Stakeholder and Network Analysis to ensure that there is a clear understanding of who has an influence over the project, would be impacted by project findings, or have interests related to offshore wind farm development and their effects on seabirds, marine mammals, and fish. The findings from the analysis will be used to inform impact plans and ensure effective engagement with key stakeholders.
- PrePARED have established a Management Group to focus on delivery of the project moving forward and allow for discussion and solving of any project challenges as and when they arise.
- A few of the project team early career researchers (ECR) attended an event organised by Royal Society on “Ocean and marine science policy”
Project Manager
- Since assuming the project management role, I have taken advantage of opportunities to hold individual discussions with task leads to gain a better understanding of the project objectives, status, challenges, and highlights.
- I have begun preparations for the 2024 Annual Knowledge Exchange Meeting, reviewing dates and venue options.
- To support future surveys, I have also obtained my ENG1 Medical Certificate and have booked a Survival at Sea course in August which will allow me to join research cruises and support with data collection.
- The ENG1 Medical took ~30 minutes and the doctor records your height, weight and BMI and conducts eyesight and hearing tests. In addition, the doctor also checks for kidney stones and reviews your flexibility for any joint or muscular pain.
