ABSTRACT Scottish Government targets for renewable energy developments are ambitious. The creatio... more ABSTRACT Scottish Government targets for renewable energy developments are ambitious. The creation of new marine industries requires a structured approach that links marine spatial planning with Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal. Marine Scotland Science has worked with The Crown Estate spatial decision support tool MaRS to plan for wave, tidal and wind power in Scottish waters. This multi-factorial spatial modelling system has been used to visualise and balance the relative opportunities and constraints on development arising from a wide range of environmental, industrial and socio-economic factors. Areas of search for development sites have been identified, explored through Regional Locational Guidance and adopted in development plans.
SUMMARY During 2002/2003, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the Scottish Environment Protecti... more SUMMARY During 2002/2003, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) conducted surveys of twelve Scottish sea lochs, voes, sounds and bays supporting varying levels of finfish aquaculture to inform an eutrophication assessment utilising the Harmonised Assessment Criteria of the Comprehensive Procedure. The majority of data collected during these surveys have already been presented (Gubbins et al.,
The recent increase in data accuracy from high resolution accelerometers offers substantial poten... more The recent increase in data accuracy from high resolution accelerometers offers substantial potential for improved understanding and prediction of animal movements. However, current approaches used for analysing these multivariable datasets typically require existing knowledge of the behaviors of the animals to inform the behavioral classification process. These methods are thus not well-suited for the many cases where limited knowledge of the different behaviors performed exist. Here, we introduce the use of an unsupervised learning algorithm. To illustrate the method's capability we analyse data collected using a combination of GPS and Accelerometers on two seabird species: razorbills (Alca torda) and common guillemots (Uria aalge). We applied the unsupervised learning algorithm Expectation Maximization to characterize latent behavioral states both above and below water at both individual and group level. The application of this flexible approach yielded significant new insights into the foraging strategies of the two study species, both above and below the surface of the water. In addition to general behavioral modes such as flying, floating, as well as descending and ascending phases within the water column, this approach allowed an exploration of previously unstudied and important behaviors such as searching and prey chasing/capture events. We propose that this unsupervised learning approach provides an ideal tool for the systematic analysis of such complex multivariable movement data that are increasingly being obtained with accelerometer tags across species. In particular, we recommend its application in cases where we have limited current knowledge of the behaviors performed and existing supervised learning approaches may have limited utility.
ABSTRACT The Scottish Executive document ,‘Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine ... more ABSTRACT The Scottish Executive document ,‘Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters’ provides guidance to the aquaculture industry and,regulatory bodies ,on the ,environmental ,suitability of coastal ,areas ,for fish farming. This guidance ,is based ,on advice ,from Scottish Natural Heritage and Fisheries Research Services (FRS), relating to the relative environmental sensitivity oflocal areas supporting aquaculture.
Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes whi... more Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes which include the measurement of chemical contaminants and related biological effects. How best to integrate data obtained in these two types of monitoring into meaningful assessments has been the subject of recent efforts by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Groups. Work within these groups has concentrated on defining a core set of chemical and biological endpoints that can be used across maritime areas, defining confounding factors, supporting parameters and protocols for measurement. The framework comprised markers for concentrations of, exposure to and effects from, contaminants. Most importantly, assessment criteria for biological effect measurements have been set and the framework suggests how these measurements can be used in an integrated manner alongside contaminant measurements in biota, sediments and potentially water. Output from this process resulted in OSPAR Commission (www.ospar.org) guidelines that were adopted in 2012 on a trial basis for a period of 3 years. The developed assessment framework can furthermore provide a suitable approach for the assessment of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
The recovery of the seabed after intensive fish farming has been studied for 2 years at 3 sites b... more The recovery of the seabed after intensive fish farming has been studied for 2 years at 3 sites by following macrofaunal succession and sedimentary biogeochemical parameters such as redox potential, pore- water ammonia, organic nitrogen and organic carbon. Sediments at each of the sites were dominated by very small animals and abundances were very high. Over the course of the
Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas) were exposed for seven months to ethynyl oestradiol (E... more Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas) were exposed for seven months to ethynyl oestradiol (EE2) or a sewage effluent containing known xeno-oestrogens (alkylphenol polyethoxylates). Nominal exposure concentrations were 6 ng l -1 EE2, 0.3% v/v or 0.03% v/v sewage effluent. The fish were bred using within treatment crosses during the final weeks of the exposures. At the end of the breeding
The sediments of Loch Leven, Scotland contain high concentrations of PAHs and have been monitored... more The sediments of Loch Leven, Scotland contain high concentrations of PAHs and have been monitored by Fisheries Research Services since 1999. The contamination has been attributed to the effluent discharged from an aluminium smelter at Kinlochleven, which ceased operation in June 2000. The availability of PAHs in sediments collected from 5 points along the loch in 2006 was assessed using
Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b), as the commercial Premix for Pigs, was found to... more Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b), as the commercial Premix for Pigs, was found to be acutely toxic to the marine sediment-dwelling polychaete Arenicola marina (10-day LC50 0.023 mg/kg dry weight of sediment, confidence limits 0.018 and 0.027 mg/kg). At all concentrations tested (i.e., 0.006 mg/kg dry weight and above), ivermectin reduced the rate of cast production. Prior exposure to 0.010
ABSTRACT Scottish Government targets for renewable energy developments are ambitious. The creatio... more ABSTRACT Scottish Government targets for renewable energy developments are ambitious. The creation of new marine industries requires a structured approach that links marine spatial planning with Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal. Marine Scotland Science has worked with The Crown Estate spatial decision support tool MaRS to plan for wave, tidal and wind power in Scottish waters. This multi-factorial spatial modelling system has been used to visualise and balance the relative opportunities and constraints on development arising from a wide range of environmental, industrial and socio-economic factors. Areas of search for development sites have been identified, explored through Regional Locational Guidance and adopted in development plans.
SUMMARY During 2002/2003, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the Scottish Environment Protecti... more SUMMARY During 2002/2003, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) conducted surveys of twelve Scottish sea lochs, voes, sounds and bays supporting varying levels of finfish aquaculture to inform an eutrophication assessment utilising the Harmonised Assessment Criteria of the Comprehensive Procedure. The majority of data collected during these surveys have already been presented (Gubbins et al.,
The recent increase in data accuracy from high resolution accelerometers offers substantial poten... more The recent increase in data accuracy from high resolution accelerometers offers substantial potential for improved understanding and prediction of animal movements. However, current approaches used for analysing these multivariable datasets typically require existing knowledge of the behaviors of the animals to inform the behavioral classification process. These methods are thus not well-suited for the many cases where limited knowledge of the different behaviors performed exist. Here, we introduce the use of an unsupervised learning algorithm. To illustrate the method's capability we analyse data collected using a combination of GPS and Accelerometers on two seabird species: razorbills (Alca torda) and common guillemots (Uria aalge). We applied the unsupervised learning algorithm Expectation Maximization to characterize latent behavioral states both above and below water at both individual and group level. The application of this flexible approach yielded significant new insights into the foraging strategies of the two study species, both above and below the surface of the water. In addition to general behavioral modes such as flying, floating, as well as descending and ascending phases within the water column, this approach allowed an exploration of previously unstudied and important behaviors such as searching and prey chasing/capture events. We propose that this unsupervised learning approach provides an ideal tool for the systematic analysis of such complex multivariable movement data that are increasingly being obtained with accelerometer tags across species. In particular, we recommend its application in cases where we have limited current knowledge of the behaviors performed and existing supervised learning approaches may have limited utility.
ABSTRACT The Scottish Executive document ,‘Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine ... more ABSTRACT The Scottish Executive document ,‘Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters’ provides guidance to the aquaculture industry and,regulatory bodies ,on the ,environmental ,suitability of coastal ,areas ,for fish farming. This guidance ,is based ,on advice ,from Scottish Natural Heritage and Fisheries Research Services (FRS), relating to the relative environmental sensitivity oflocal areas supporting aquaculture.
Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes whi... more Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes which include the measurement of chemical contaminants and related biological effects. How best to integrate data obtained in these two types of monitoring into meaningful assessments has been the subject of recent efforts by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Groups. Work within these groups has concentrated on defining a core set of chemical and biological endpoints that can be used across maritime areas, defining confounding factors, supporting parameters and protocols for measurement. The framework comprised markers for concentrations of, exposure to and effects from, contaminants. Most importantly, assessment criteria for biological effect measurements have been set and the framework suggests how these measurements can be used in an integrated manner alongside contaminant measurements in biota, sediments and potentially water. Output from this process resulted in OSPAR Commission (www.ospar.org) guidelines that were adopted in 2012 on a trial basis for a period of 3 years. The developed assessment framework can furthermore provide a suitable approach for the assessment of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
The recovery of the seabed after intensive fish farming has been studied for 2 years at 3 sites b... more The recovery of the seabed after intensive fish farming has been studied for 2 years at 3 sites by following macrofaunal succession and sedimentary biogeochemical parameters such as redox potential, pore- water ammonia, organic nitrogen and organic carbon. Sediments at each of the sites were dominated by very small animals and abundances were very high. Over the course of the
Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas) were exposed for seven months to ethynyl oestradiol (E... more Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas) were exposed for seven months to ethynyl oestradiol (EE2) or a sewage effluent containing known xeno-oestrogens (alkylphenol polyethoxylates). Nominal exposure concentrations were 6 ng l -1 EE2, 0.3% v/v or 0.03% v/v sewage effluent. The fish were bred using within treatment crosses during the final weeks of the exposures. At the end of the breeding
The sediments of Loch Leven, Scotland contain high concentrations of PAHs and have been monitored... more The sediments of Loch Leven, Scotland contain high concentrations of PAHs and have been monitored by Fisheries Research Services since 1999. The contamination has been attributed to the effluent discharged from an aluminium smelter at Kinlochleven, which ceased operation in June 2000. The availability of PAHs in sediments collected from 5 points along the loch in 2006 was assessed using
Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b), as the commercial Premix for Pigs, was found to... more Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b), as the commercial Premix for Pigs, was found to be acutely toxic to the marine sediment-dwelling polychaete Arenicola marina (10-day LC50 0.023 mg/kg dry weight of sediment, confidence limits 0.018 and 0.027 mg/kg). At all concentrations tested (i.e., 0.006 mg/kg dry weight and above), ivermectin reduced the rate of cast production. Prior exposure to 0.010
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Papers by Ian Davies