An Acoustic Benthic Survey of Loch Ryan

With the substantial increase in the number of fast ferries travelling from Stranraer and Cairnryan in Loch Ryan to Northern Ireland in recent years, there has been much speculation about their environmental impact. Complaints from user groups of the loch range from causing scouring of the seabed, releasing locked-in contaminants (Eardley & Lankester, 2000) to salmon nets becoming inoperable and boat launching problems (Loch Ryan Advisory Management Forum, 1999). Kirk McClure Morton, Belfast are currently involved in a project investigating the erosion and deposition of mobile sediments around Loch Ryan. This has involved developing a hydrodynamic model of wave action on the loch, and how wave propagation differs between fast ferries and traditional shaped craft. The effect of the wake from ferries on sediment transport is also being investigated. This survey aimed to give a clearer understanding of the general distribution of different sediment types in Loch Ryan by using an Acoustic Ground Discrimination System, RoxAnn?.