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

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Service, M., Magorrian, B.H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1997
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Modiolus modiolus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400038686; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315400038686

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.