Scientists to research ‘hotspots’ of mid-water fish in Newfoundland Sea

Irish and Canadian scientists will conduct fisheries research onboard Irish national research vessel RV Celtic Explorer, which has set sail from Galway bound for the Labrador and Newfoundland Seas.

The researchers’ aim is to search for “hot spots” of smaller mid-water fish, like lanternfish, and begin to understand their distribution. The vessel will research cod stocks on the Flemish Cap en route to Newfoundland and Labrador, and complete a large scale survey for cod and capelin in those waters.

The oceanic survey, led by Dr George Rose, director of the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, will gather oceanographic data and acoustic recordings, building on data from surveys in 2011 and 2012.

Onboard researchers will collaborate with Dr Rose on the acoustic data collected during the transatlantic trip. Canadian scientists will be joined by Irish researchers from NUI Galway and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).

NUI Galway researcher Sheena Fennell will carry out oceanographic monitoring throughout the journey to St John’s, and will collaborate with Dr Rose on the acoustic data collected during the transatlantic trip. GMIT researcher Johannes Bulfin will monitor cetacean activity during the survey.

UCC graduate Rachel Morgan will join the survey via the Training Through Research Surveys Scheme, run by the Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training. This scheme gives young Irish researchers experience on multidisciplinary surveys.

Dr Rose said: “This voyage continues to have tremendous value to both Irish and Canadian researchers, and contributes to the knowledge base and prosperity of the Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries. I look forward to the continuance of this collaboration.”

An observational seabed platform, called a benthic lander system, will be deployed at 800m-900m depth in a canyon on the continental shelf off the Irish coast. It will measure turbidity, flouresence, temperature, salinity, water column, and near seabed currents. The lander will remain in the canyon until June, then be recovered during an NUIG biodiscovery survey onboard the Celtic Explorer.

Irish Marine Institute chief executive Peter Heffernan said: “This transatlantic collaboration will allow Irish researchers to forge strong links with their Canadian counterparts. This is very relevant to the EU’s Atlantic Strategy and the action plan, which is to be completed during the Irish presidency of the EU. This co-operation is essential to achieving healthy marine ecosystems, a key goal of the Government’s marine plan for Ireland, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, published in 2012.”

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Loyola Hearn boarded the Celtic Explorer at Galway Docks on Monday. He is a former minister of fisheries and oceans. He said: “We are now seeing growth in the fish stocks off Newfoundland and Labrador. Surveys like this provide essential information on the sustainability of fish stocks. The potential for increased involvement both in ocean research and the fishing industry between Ireland and Canada is now being realised.”