Deepwater Survey Stations

The Irish Deepwater Survey (IDS) collected trawl survey record of fish and other species collected from trawls carried out during specified purpose surveys on board the RV Celtic Explorer. Data were collected in pre-assigned survey areas and depths designed to complement existing Scottish, French and previous Irish Deepwater Survey areas. Trawls took place at depths of 500m, 750m, 1000m, 1500m and 1800m each year. Surveying took place in three areas to the north, north-west and west of Ireland. Surveys were in September 2006-2008 and in December 2009. Tows were generally two hours in length at 3.5kts. Numbers, length and weight data were collected for all fish species caught. Sex, maturity and age data were collected for commercial fish species. Data were collected for Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS) Group of the Irish Marine Institute. Data were used for stock assessments by ICES Expert groups including WGDEEP, WGEF and WKSHARKS. CTD data and grab samples were also collected during the surveys. IDS data has been added to the Marine Institute ground-fish survey database.