The Extent and Temporal Variation of Disturbance to Epibenthic Communities in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 1151-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Service ◽  
B.H. Magorrian
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Spatial Effects ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Trawl Fishery ◽  
Strangford Lough ◽  
Modiolus Modiolus ◽  
Superficial Sediments ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Horse Mussel ◽  
The Impact

Side-scan sonar and underwater video were used to determine the impact of a trawl fishery on an epibenthic community associated with the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus in a Northern Ireland sea lough. The presence of marks caused by trawl otter-boards on the sediments could be clearly seen using side-scan sonar and changes to the epibenthos are described from the video survey. It is apparent from the side-scan sonar survey that changes have occurred in the structure of the superficial sediments on heavily trawled areas. However, there was no clear indication of temporal changes. The utility of side-scan sonar coupled with GIS techniques to detect temporal and spatial effects is discussed.

Small-scale variation within a Modiolus modiolus (Mollusca: Bivalvia) reef in the Irish Sea. II. Epifauna recorded by divers and cameras

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.G. Sanderson ◽  
R.H.F. Holt ◽  
L. Kay ◽  
K. Ramsay ◽  
J. Perrins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Irish Sea ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Competitive Response ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Strangford Lough ◽  
Modiolus Modiolus ◽  
Bed Form ◽  
The Irish Sea ◽  
Horse Mussel

The spatial heterogeneity of epifauna on a Modiolus modiolus reef off north-west Wales was investigated using divers. The community associated with these horse mussels was similar to that described previously from Loch Creran and the north basin of Strangford Lough. Some differences in epifauna may be attributable to the less sheltered nature of the site. Modiolus modiolus numbers and the associated epifaunal community were significantly different between ridge and trough sub-habitats. Troughs can be considered ‘reduced’ ridge communities whereas ridges have high densities of horse mussels and certain sessile taxa were correlated with their abundance. Modiolus modiolus aggregation as a competitive response to the feeding environment, enhanced food availability on ridges and sediment deposition amongst mussel clumps may start to explain the undulating bed-form. Patchiness in community composition and periodic cover by ophuroids has implications when considering the monitoring of the horse mussel community. Stratified, in situ recording of the highly populated ridges could improve the statistical sensitivity of monitoring horse mussel reefs whilst simultaneously focusing on the more sensitive indicators of fishing threats.

An Acoustic Bottom Classification Survey of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 987-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.H. Magorrian ◽  
M. Service ◽  
W. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Strangford Lough ◽  
Underwater Cameras ◽  
Bottom Classification ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Epibenthic Communities ◽  
Echo Sounder

As part of an investigation into the impact of commercial trawling on the benthos of Strangford Lough a map of the distribution of the benthic communities in the Lough was required. To provide this an acoustic bottom classification survey of the Lough was carried out using a commercially available system, RoxAnn. RoxAnn processes the information from a conventional echo-sounder to determine the nature of different substrata. Underwater cameras were used to obtain ground truth data to compare with the RoxAnn data. Used in conjunction, the two surveys provided valuable information on the different bottom substrata and associated epibenthic communities present in the Lough.

Should Attitudinal Views toward Innovation Development Play a Role in Policy in Peripheral EU Regions?: New Evidence from Vouchers Program in Northern Ireland

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-137
Author(s):  
Sean M. McDonald ◽  
Remi C. Claire ◽  
Alastair H. McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Regional Economic Development ◽  
Innovation Development ◽  
Regional Economic ◽  
Eu Regions ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence

The impact and effectiveness of policies to support collaboration for Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation is critical to determining the success of regional economic development. (O’Kane, 2008) The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of success of the Innovation Vouchers Program operated by Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) from 2009 to 2013 and address if attitudinal views towards innovation development should play in a role in future policy design in peripheral EU regions. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document