IMIS

"This dataset contains information on the abundance & biomass of macrofauna found in sediment grab samples taken from Belfast Lough in September of 2012. These samples were taken as part of the mussel (Mytilus edulis) bed stock assessment in Belfast Lough as well as investigating the presence of the invasive Crepidula (Crepidula fornicata) in these mussel beds. Crepidula (also known as slipper limpets are an invasive species in Belfast Lough. This species was originally found along the East coast of the Americas and they were first documented in Belfast Lough in 2009. Belfast Lough now contains the only viable population in Ireland. Mussel dredge samples (taken using a 2ft wide mussel dredge with 30kg capacity), infaunal samples, particle size analysis samples and Carbon & Nitrogen samples were all taken as part of this survey. This dataset only contains the information regarding the infaunal samples. The methodology for collecting the infaunal samples is as follows; •A 0.1m2 day grab was used to take a sample of the sediment & associated infaunal communities. • When the sample reaches the deck, a 250ml sample is taken for PSA and a further 25ml is taken for C & N analysis. The rest of the sample is carefully sieved to reveal any infauna. • Fixed Formalin (4% buffered formaldehyde) is added to the remains of the sample and these are placed in labelled buckets. • The samples are sent to accredited taxonomic laboratories were they are identified to as high a level as possible and weighed. The grab samples were taken on 5 separate days throughout the course of August & September 2012. Three different vessels were used in sampling. The “Osprey I” carried out sampling in Belfast Lough on 2012-08-21, 2012-09-06 & 2012-09-07. The “Swiftsure” (10m pot fishing boat) was used for sampling on 2012-09-13 and finally the RV Corystes carried out sampling on 2012-09-26. No successful infaunal samples were taken on 2012-08-21 and so this date does not appear in the dataset. The same survey equipment was used on board all vessels. "