Surveying seas around the Western Isles 14/7/11
the Two sea areas off the Western Isles are to be surveyed to gain more knowledge of what lies below the surface.
The Minches and an area off the Butt of Lewis are amongst a number of marine sites being examined by the Scottish Government.
The information gathered will build on existing knowledge and help inform plans for the creation of Marine Protected Areas, provide additional information on fish stocks, and inform plans for renewables and other marine developments.
The results will also be used to develop better maps of the seabed and improve our understanding of the species and habitats associated with the seas.
The surveys involve a range of techniques, including acoustic multi-
Vessels from Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Northern Lighthouse Board are all involved.
Last Autumn, the seas off the Westside were similarly surveyed by the Scottish Government’s research ship FRS Scotia. A number of developers believe the location is a great power house of wave energy.
The vital oceanography data was expected to be presented to potential developers to help them assess prospective sites for renewable energy schemes.
The 2,619 tonne Scotia uses a multibeam echo sounder plus underwater video and a sophisticated digital camera to uncover the characteristics of the seabed, identify reefs, shoals, and the extent of sloping ground.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The results will improve our knowledge as we seek to strike the right balance between marine conservation and economic development.