CE0706 INFOMAR Seabed Survey

The integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The programme is a successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in the near-shore area. This cruise took place on board the R.V. Celtic Explorer in April/May 2007 in the North East Atlantic Ocean in an area offshore the Dingle peninsula, Co. Kerry. Surveys conducted include: Multibeam Echo sounder (MBES) Hydrographic survey to International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Order 1a standard. Bathymetry survey: to produce bathymetry shaded relief and Backscatter mosaic products which provide depth, seabed features and seabed hardness information. Sub Bottom Profiler (SBP) survey: to acquire data of the willow (up to 30 metres) sub seabed to determine the existence of buried objects and ascertain the sub-seabed character. 182 survey lines, cross lines and infill lines were completed. A total of 10 Sound Velocity profiles (SVPs), 11 Moving Vessel Profile (MVP) casts and 25 conductivity Temperature depth (CTD) casts (including a completed transect) were taken. A total of 49 stations were sampled. At each station 4 grabs were taken; 3 for biological analysis and 1 for geochemical analysis. An area of 2 899 km² was covered during this survey. No Marine Mammal Observer was on board so no cetacean Recordings were Logged.