A Marine Science and Technology Partnership Programme for the island of Ireland

WESPAS 2022: Western Edge Small Pelagics Acoustic Survey

WESPAS will take place over two legs and forms part of a time series used to provide biomass estimates of herring and boar fish stocks in ICES areas VIIB and VIA and inform stock assessments by ICES expert groups. Mr Ciaran O’Donnell will lead an experienced team of biologists from the Marine Institute on survey transects deploying a pelagic trawl to ground truth echo traces of herring, boar fish and other pelagic species.

WESPAS bursaries are an excellent opportunity for graduates and postgraduate students who wish to develop field skills and careers in fisheries science, marine mammal and seabird data collection. The survey will take place over two legs as follows:

  • CE22010 WESPAS Leg 1: 14th June to the 4th July
  • CE22010 WESPAS Leg 2: 4th July to the 25th July

Applications

The closing date for applications for applications is Friday the 29th of April 2020.

Applications can be submitted online here.

Requirements

Current ENG 11 medical certificate (Leg 1 after 29th June 2019, Leg 2 after 20th July2019)
Current PST STCW 95 or equivalent (Leg 1 after 29th June 2019, Leg 2 after 20th July2019)
Capacity to adhere to COVID 19 RV stipulations

Survey Data

The data collected during the survey is the intellectual property of the survey organisers. Participants are obliged to comply with survey data privacy and protection as set out by the Chief Scientist.

Further Information

Participation in surveys is with the agreement of the chief scientist.

Information on obtaining medical and sea-survival certificates and vessel user guidelines for national research vessels is available here.

Also see:

2020 WESPAS cruise Report

Marine Institute Acoustic Surveys Webpage

Further enquiries should be addressed to: JOHN.BOYD@gmit.ie

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