CE0908

Type Oceanographic cruise
Ship Celtic Explorer
Ship owner Divers Prive
Dates 28/04/2009 - 19/05/2009
Chief scientist(s) GREHAN Anthony ORCID, GUILLAUMONT Brigitte, MOHN Christian

SCHOOL OF EARTH AND OCEAN SCIENCES

GALWAY

GALWAY

353.91524411ext.3235
Objective The cruise (on the ship Celtic Explorer) is one of a pair of joint NUIG/IFREMER ROV expeditions planned in support of two FP7 Integrating Projects: HERMIONE (Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Mans Impact on European Seas) and CoralFISH - Assessment of the interaction between corals, fish and fisheries, in order to develop monitoring and predictive modeling tools for ecosystem based management in the deep waters of Europe and beyond. These cruises will focus on investigating hotspot ecosystems (deep-water corals on mounds and in canyons), and their interaction with fish, off the Irish and Biscay margins. The Irish and Biscay study areas represent 2 of 6 contrasting European bioregions where comparative studies will be undertaken to: i) map and characterize the coral habitat ii) describe the local hydrographic regime iii) assess the interaction between fish and corals through fisheries acoustic surveys and in situ observation using ROVs or other video platforms along transects fished by commercial longliners and iv) collect coral specimens for genetic fingerprinting to assess the potential erosion of genetic fitness of corals due to long-term exposure to fishing impacts.

Sampling operations

Dives

Bibliography

References of Technical Reports

Menot LenaickORCID, Van Den Beld Inge (2013). Nature, distribution et diversité des habitats de substrats durs du golfe de Gascogne. REM/EEP/LEP 13-35.