Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) MCZ: South Celtic Deep: Multibeam, Benthic Sampling and Photo/Video Survey scld_cend0312: Irish Sea (12/02/2012 to 20/02/2012)

A seabed survey for the purpose of habitat identification and mapping at the South of Celtic Deep recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ) site. Ground-truth sampling by grabs and underwater cameras (video & stills images). Multibeam bathymetry and backscatter collected opportunistically on transit between stations. Broadscale habitat (BSH) and habitat FOCI (Features of Conservation Interest) recorded at time of sampling and included in cruise/survey report. More in-depth interpretation to be made in a Post-Survey Site Report, following integrated assessment of acoustics and outputs from laboratory analysis of benthic samples. These data are archived with the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Data Archive Centres (DACs) including the British Geological Survey (BGS) DAC for geology and geophysics, The Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data (DASSH) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) bathymetry DAC. The full site data package including raw is also available on request from BGS.