Nephrops Underwater Television Survey Functional Units

Nephrops Functional Units represent geographic area management and reporting units for Nephrops Underwater Television (UWTV) surveys. The Irish Functional units 30 divisions were based on ICES Statistical Rectangle boundaries. The prawn (Nephrops norvegicus) are common around the Irish coast occurring in geographically distinct sandy/muddy areas were the sediment is suitable for them to construct their burrows. Nephrops spend a great deal of time in their burrows and their emergence from these is related to time of year, light intensity and tidal strength. Functional units include the Aran Grounds, the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Porcupine Bank. Functional units for reporting purposes were created in 2002. Functional units created from merging existing ICES Statistical rectangles. Functional units created to support area management and reporting of the Nephrops shellfish marine resource. Nephrops Functional Units created by the fisheries science survey team of the Marine Institute (Ireland). Functional units completed for Nephrops UWTV reporting purposes.