Marine biological survey to establish the distribution and status of ...

Scottish Natural Heritage 

Commissioned Report No. 438 

Marine biological survey to establish the 

distribution and status of fan mussels 

Atrina fragilis and other Marine Protected 

Area (MPA) search features within the 

Sound of Canna, Inner Hebrides

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

Commissioned Report No. 438 

Marine biological survey to establish the 

distribution and status of fan mussels 

Atrina fragilis and other Marine Protected 

Area (MPA) search features within the 

Sound of Canna, Inner Hebrides 

For further information on this report please contact: 

Laura Clark 

Scottish Natural Heritage 

Great Glen House 

Leachkin Road 

INVERNESS 

IV3 8NW 

Telephone: 01463 725 237 

E-mail: Laura.Clark@snh.gov.uk 

This report should be quoted as: 

Howson, C. M., Clark, L., Mercer, T. S. and James, B. (2012). Marine biological 

survey to establish the distribution and status of fan mussels Atrina fragilis and other 

Marine Protected Area (MPA) search features within the Sound of Canna, Inner 

Hebrides. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 438. 

This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural 

Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of 

this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. 

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2012

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

Summary 

Marine biological survey to establish the distribution 

and status of fan mussels Atrina fragilis and other 

Marine Protected Area (MPA) search features within 

the Sound of Canna, Inner Hebrides 

Commissioned Report No. 438 (iBids no. 10769) 

Contractor: Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. 

Year of publication: 2012 

Background 

Scotland’s seas are of outstanding scenic, historic and cultural value and are part of the 

national identity at home and abroad. The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the UK Marine 

and Coastal Access Act 2009 include new powers and duties to ensure that our seas are 

managed sustainably for future generations, integrating the economic growth of marine 

industries with the need to protect these assets. Measures to conserve our marine natural 

heritage will be based on a three pillar approach, with action at the wider seas level (e.g. 

marine planning or sectoral controls); specific species conservation measures (e.g. improved 

protection for seals); and through site protection measures - the identification of new Marine 

Protected Areas (MPAs). 

To help target action under each of the three pillars, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the 

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) have generated a focused list of habitats and 

species of marine conservation importance for which it would be appropriate to use both 

area based and non-area based mechanisms to achieve better protection - the Priority 

Marine Features (PMFs). A subset of these, together with the black guillemot and a number 

of functionally significant large-scale features will drive the selection of Nature Conservation 

MPAs (MPA search features). 

The Sound of Canna in the Small Isles has, until recently, attracted relatively little attention 

from marine biologists. The discovery in 2009 of a population of the rare and fragile fan 

mussel Atrina fragilis, an MPA search feature, during monitoring studies of a dredge spoil 

ground has focused attention on the diversity of this small area. The purpose of the current 

study was to undertake a detailed survey of seabed MPA search features within the sound, 

with particular emphasis on the population of Atrina fragilis. The survey programme was 

designed to generate sufficient information on the distribution, quality and extent of the MPA 

search features present (and other PMFs) to enable a preliminary assessment of this area 

against the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines. 

i

The Sound of Canna is a steep-sided channel over-deepened by glaciation that separates 

the islands of Canna and Rum. It is just over 3 km wide at its narrowest point and has a 

deep channel running along its centre which reaches a maximum depth of 275 m. A gravel 

shelf at about 25 m depth extends along the whole of the north-west coast of Rum. This 

possible drowned wave-cut platform gives way to a steep sediment slope down to the floor 

of the channel which supports extensive areas of burrowed mud and mixed muddy sands 

and gravels. On the western side of the sound, steep sublittoral rock walls along the south 

and east coast of Sanday (a small island connected to Canna by a road and sandbanks at 

low tide) drop to a sediment floor in over 60 m of water. Glacial moraines are a significant 

feature of the sound with small rock walls and boulder piles scattered throughout the deep 

channel. Along the coastal margins there are also sheltered mud and sand habitats. 

Survey work during 2010 involved a drop-down video survey to capture footage of the 

seabed habitats (121 stations); detailed in-situ, diver observations, which included mapping 

the extent of seagrass beds and the collection of infaunal core samples (15 stations); and 

grab sampling (23 stations) within benthic sediment communities. The primary objective of 

the work was to provide an assessment of the current status of the fan mussels. The survey 

plans were developed from previous sampling records, Admiralty charts, and predictive 

habitat distribution maps covering this area (Foster-Smith, 2010). 

Main Findings 

• The Sound of Canna is a small but unusually biologically diverse area supporting ten 

MPA search features and two additional PMFs (the white cluster anemone Parazoanthus 

anguicomus and the burrowing sea anemone Arachnanthus sarsi). 

• The aggregation of fan mussels Atrina fragilis was of particular significance, covering an 

area of at least 170 ha, representing the largest known area of fan mussels in UK 

waters. The northern extremity of the aggregation was not found in 2010. The 

underwater video footage showed that the fan mussels occurred as scattered individuals 

or in small clumps. Diverse assemblages of other species were observed living on, or in 

close association with these large semi-buried bivalves. 

• A preliminary assessment of the relative nature conservation importance of the 2010 

survey area concluded that the Sound of Canna could make an important contribution to 

the evolving Scottish MPA network. Four of the MPA search features present were 

considered to be of sufficient quality to have a particular bearing on the outcomes of the 

assessment, namely: fan mussel aggregations; burrowed mud; northern sea fan and 

sponge communities; and, northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata. 

• The report recommends that further work be carried out to clarify the full extent of the fan 

mussel aggregation, and the maerl bed at Guirdil Bay on Rum; and also, to ascertain the 

wider distribution of northern sea fan and sponge communities within the sound. 

• Survey work to describe the seabed habitats present within areas used regularly by 

basking sharks to the west and south-west of Canna (Speedie et al., 2009) is also 

recommended. 

For further information on this project contact: 

Laura Clark, Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Inverness, IV3 8NW 

Tel: 01463 725237 

For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: 

DSU (Policy and Advice Directorate), Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Inverness, IV3 8NW 

Tel: 01463 725000 or pads@snh.gov.uk 

ii

Contents 

Page no. 

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 

1.1 Background............................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 Survey objectives...................................................................................................... 1 

1.3 Review of existing data ............................................................................................. 2 

1.4 Predictive broadscale seabed habitat mapping of the Sound of Canna ................... 7 

1.5 Human activities in the Sound of Canna................................................................... 8 

2 Methods .......................................................................................................................... 9 

2.1 Sampling strategy ..................................................................................................... 9 

2.2 Fieldwork safety and logistics ................................................................................... 9 

2.3 Remote video sampling........................................................................................... 10 

2.4 Grab sampling......................................................................................................... 14 

2.5 Diver sampling ........................................................................................................ 15 

3 Results .......................................................................................................................... 18 

3.1 Biotope composition and distribution within the Sound of Canna ........................... 18 

3.2 MPA search features recorded in the Sound of Canna........................................... 23 

3.3 Other seabed habitats and species of interest........................................................ 42 

3.4 Refined predictive seabed biotope mapping for the Sound of Canna..................... 46 

4 Discussion.................................................................................................................... 49 

4.1 Identification of MPA search locations .................................................................... 49 

4.2 Qualities of the MPA search features...................................................................... 52 

5 Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 58 

5.1 The nature conservation importance of the Sound of Canna.................................. 58 

5.2 Future data review and biological survey work around the Sound of Canna .......... 59 

6 References.................................................................................................................... 60 

LIST OF APPENDICES 

Appendix 1 Drop-down video and diver sampling station details with associated data 

- 2010 Sound of Canna survey....................................................................... 63 

Appendix 2 Macrofaunal and sediment analysis of the 2010 Sound of Canna grab 

samples .......................................................................................................... 138 

Appendix 3 Macrofaunal and sediment analysis of cores collected from two Zostera 

marina beds during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey ................................... 157 

Appendix 4 Photo and video logs - 2010 Sound of Canna survey .................................... 161 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1 The 2010 Sound of Canna survey area ......................................................... 2 

Figure 2 A diver’s interpretation of the Sanday cliffs (Davidson, 1982)........................ 3 

Figure 3 Historical marine biological sampling effort within the 2010 survey area ....... 5 

Figure 4 The distribution of MPA search features / PMFs within the Sound of 

Canna recorded by surveys undertaken prior to 2010 ................................... 6 

Figure 5 Predictive habitat mapping of the Sound of Canna (Foster-Smith, 2010) ...... 7 

Figure 6 Shallow water video stations surveyed around Canna and Sanday............... 11 

Figure 7 Shallow water video stations surveyed along the west coast of Rum ............ 11 

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Page no. 

Figure 8 Video stations surveyed in the central Sound of Canna (A) and on the 

maerl bed at Guridil (M).................................................................................. 13 

Figure 9 Distribution of grab sampling stations within the Sound of Canna ................. 14 

Figure 10 Distribution of dive sites surveyed in 2010 within the Sound of Canna.......... 16 

Figure 11 2010 survey coverage off Canna and Sanday (all methodologies). 

Records displayed at biotope complex level, colour-coding aligns with 

Table 2 ........................................................................................................... 21 

Figure 12 2010 survey coverage off Rum (all methodologies). Records displayed 

at biotope complex level, colour-coding aligns with Table 2 .......................... 22 

Figure 13 Distribution of the large-scale shelf deeps MPA search feature within the 

Sound of Canna ............................................................................................. 24 

Figure 14 Predicted distribution of the burrowed mud MPA search feature 

component biotope SS.SMU.CFiMu.MegMax within the Sound of 

Canna with individual records of burrows and seapens ................................. 25 

Figure 15 Individual records of the tall seapen Funiculina quadrangularis within the 

2010 Sound of Canna survey area................................................................. 26 

Figure 16 Division of the megafaunal burrowed mud habitat in the Sound of Canna 

into the infaunal biotopes SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil and 

SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit ........................................................................ 27 

Figure 17 Particle size analysis of the SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil sediment samples, 

showing the percentage of each sediment category ...................................... 27 

Figure 18 Particle size analysis of the SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit sediment 

samples, showing the percentage of each sediment category....................... 28 

Figure 19 Predicted distribution of kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral 

sediment biotopes (SS.SMp.KSwSS) within the Sound of Canna................. 29 

Figure 20 Estimated area of maerl bed (SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal) off the coast of Rum at 

Guirdil, with individual records of maerl.......................................................... 30 

Figure 21 Results of the particle size analysis of the maerl sediment sample taken 

at grab station G22, showing the percentage of each sediment category...... 31 

Figure 22 Predicted distribution of northern sea fan biotopes in the Sound of 

Canna with individual records of Swiftia pallida ............................................. 33 

Figure 23 The two seagrass beds situated on opposite sides of the Sound of 

Canna with close-up inset maps of the bay at An Coroghan on Canna 

and Kilmory Bay on Rum................................................................................ 35 

Figure 24 Results of particle size analysis of seagrass bed sediment samples, 

showing the percentage of each sediment category ...................................... 36 

Figure 25 Predicted distribution of northern feather star aggregations on mixed 

substrata within the Sound of Canna with individual records of 

Leptometra celtica .......................................................................................... 37 

Figure 26 The predicted distribution of the fan mussel aggregation in the Sound of 

Canna showing individual records of Atrina fragilis........................................ 39 

Figure 27 The predicted extent of the fan mussel aggregation within the Sound of 

Canna illustrating areas of different Atrina fragilis density and outlying 

records ........................................................................................................... 40 

iv

Page no. 

Figure 28 Basking shark hotspots around Canna and Hyskeir (red hatch fill) within 

a proposed buffer zone (black hatch), from Speedie et al. (2009) ................. 41 

Figure 29 The distribution of other PMFs recorded during the 2010 Sound of 

Canna survey ................................................................................................. 42 

Figure 30 The predicted distribution of the Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura 

filiformis in offshore circalittoral sand or muddy sand biotope 

(SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil) in the Sound of Canna with grab sampling 

locations assigned to this biotope .................................................................. 43 

Figure 31 Other species of interest recorded in the Sound of Canna in 2010................ 45 

Figure 32 The predicted distribution of MPA search features within the Sound of 

Canna............................................................................................................. 46 

Figure 33 Full coverage predictive epibenthic biotope map for the Sound of 

Canna. Biotopes follow Connor et al., 2004 .................................................. 47 

Figure 34 Predicted distribution of infaunal biotopes within the Sound of Canna .......... 48 

Figure 35 Suggested area for data processing and additional marine biological 

survey work around Canna and Rum............................................................. 59 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1 Marine biological surveys undertaken within the Sound of Canna................. 4 

Table 2 Biotopes identified in the Sound of Canna in 2010 (all sampling 

methods) and their frequency of occurrence. Biotopes follow Connor et 

al., 2004.......................................................................................................... 19 

Table 3 The 10 MPA search features (of which all but shelf deeps are also 

PMFs) and 2 other non-search feature PMFs (cells greyed and 

marked *) recorded during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey ........................ 23 

Table 4 Summary of the assessment of MPA search features found in the 

Sound of Canna in relation to Stage 1 of the Scottish MPA Selection 

Guidelines (Marine Scotland, 2011b). T&D denotes an MPA search 

feature listed on the OSPAR Threatened and / or Declining list (OSPAR 

Commission, 2008). ....................................................................................... 51 

Table 5 Summary of the assessment of the Sound of Canna search location (the 

2010 survey area) against Stage 2 of the Scottish MPA Selection 

Guidelines (Marine Scotland, 2011b) ............................................................. 56 

Table 6 Summary of a preliminary assessment of the 2010 Sound of Canna 

survey area against Stages 1 and 2 of the Scottish MPA Selection 

Guidelines ...................................................................................................... 57 

LIST OF PLATES 

Plate 1 Survey vessel Lophelia at Rum pier and RV Aora at Canna pier................... 9 

Plate 2 ASML drop camera and frame and hand deployment over the side of 

survey vessel Lophelia within the Sound of Canna........................................ 12 

Plate 3 UMSBM drop-down camera and deployment over the stern of RV Aora....... 13 

v

Page no. 

Plate 4 Example photographs showing the volume and contents of a successful 

grab sample (Station G09) and the residue retained in the 1 mm sieve ........ 15 

Plate 5 Screen grabs from drop-down video footage of burrowed mud within the 

Sound of Canna. A phosphorescent seapen Pennatula phosphorea is 

visible in the second image ............................................................................ 25 

Plate 6 Live maerl medallions (pink), interspersed with maerl gravel and red 

algae in the grab sample taken at Guirdil (G22), Sound of Canna................. 31 

Plate 7 Scattered maerl medallions amongst pebbles and cobbles at the 

southern edge of the Guirdil maerl bed, Sound of Canna .............................. 32 

Plate 8 A northern sea fan Swiftia pallida with a silty hydroid turf on vertical 

bedrock of the Great Wall of Canna ............................................................... 33 

Plate 9 Sponges, jewel anemones and bryozoans in the Swiftia pallida 

CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs biotope on the Great Wall of Canna ........................ 34 

Plate 10 Zostera marina seagrass bed in the shallow sublittoral in Kilmory Bay, 

Rum................................................................................................................ 36 

Plate 11 Screen grabs from drop-down video footage of Leptometra celtica 

aggregations on mixed substrata in the Sound of Canna .............................. 38 

Plate 12 Screen grabs from drop-down video footage showing fan mussels on 

mixed muddy substrates in the Sound of Canna. Second image 

courtesy of Marine Scotland Science ............................................................. 39 

Plate 13 A small basking shark in Canna Harbour, 1 st September 2010...................... 41 

Plate 14 Couch’s crab Monodaeus couchii from the Sound of Canna ......................... 44 

Plate 15 Cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali in the Sound of Canna...... 45 

Acknowledgements 

The authors would like to acknowledge the hard work and support of all those who took part 

in the various phases of fieldwork: David Bova (Marine Scotland Science); Francis Bunker 

and Jon Moore (ASML); Louise Scally (MERC); Tom Stephenson (University Marine 

Biological Station Millport - UMBSM); Mark Woombs, the marine biologist / owner of survey 

vessel Lophelia; and, the skipper and crew of RV Aora from UMBSM. We would also like to 

thank the community on the Isle of Canna who made us welcome and helped us during the 

diving survey, and in particular Sheila and John, the proprietors of Canna’s guesthouse 

Tighard. 

Several of SNH’s marine advisers contributed their thoughts to the project planning and the 

report and in particular we would like to thank Colin Trigg. Thanks also to Peter Garwood 

(Identichaet) who carried out the infaunal analyses and Andrew Wright (Motion Production 

Enterprises) who assisted with editing the videos. 

vi

1 INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background 

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining a healthy and biologically diverse 

marine and coastal environment that continues to provide economic, social and wider 

benefits to meet the long term needs of people and nature. The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 

and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 include new powers and duties to help 

deliver these aspirations. 

Future marine nature conservation measures in Scottish waters will be based on a three 

pillar approach, with action at the wider seas level (e.g. marine planning or sectoral controls); 

specific species conservation measures (e.g. improved protection for seals), and through 

site protection measures which will see the identification of new Marine Protected Areas 

(MPAs). Further details are provided in the Strategy for Marine Nature Conservation in 

Scotland (Marine Scotland, 2011a). 

To help target marine nature conservation measures under each of the three pillars, Scottish 

Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) have 

generated a focused list of habitats and species of importance - the Priority Marine Features 

(PMFs) (Howson et al., 2012; and JNCC, 2011). A subset of these biological features, those 

for which area-based protection measures are an appropriate tool, together with the black 

guillemot and five large-scale features of functional significance for the overall health and 

diversity of Scotland’s seas, will drive the selection of Nature Conservation MPAs (MPA 

search features). 

Recent research projects have collated available datasets detailing the distribution of the full 

suite of MPA search features and PMFs to ensure that the best practicable use is made of 

existing records in the identification of new MPAs. New survey work has also been 

commissioned to validate their continued presence in certain areas and to underpin the 

development of formal MPA proposals, established using the science-based Scottish MPA 

Selection Guidelines (Marine Scotland, 2011b). 

The discovery in the Sound of Canna in 2009 of a population of the rare fan mussel Atrina 

fragilis, an MPA search feature, during routine monitoring studies of a dredge spoil ground 

(Marine Scotland Science, 2009) has served to focus attention on this small area, including 

the commissioning of new detailed marine biological survey work. The sound separates the 

islands of Canna and Rum in the Small Isles, an archipelago to the south of Skye. Whilst 

recognised as of importance for basking shark Cetorhinus maximus (one of several 

‘hotspots’ on the west coast of Scotland - Speedie et al., 2009), with dramatic underwater 

cliffs that are a favourite of recreational divers, the area has until recently attracted relatively 

little attention from marine biologists. 

1.2 Survey objectives 

The purpose of this study was to undertake a detailed seabed habitat survey within the 

Sound of Canna (Figure 1), with particular emphasis on the population of fan mussels. The 

survey programme was designed to generate sufficient information on the distribution, 

quality and extent of MPA search features present, to enable SNH to undertake a 

preliminary assessment of the merits of the 2010 survey area against the Scottish MPA 

Selection Guidelines. 

1

Figure 1 

The 2010 Sound of Canna survey area 

© Crown Copyright and database right [2012]. All rights reserved. Ordnance survey License number 100017908. This product has been 

derived in part from material obtained from the UK Hydrographic Office with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office 

and UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 

The work programme encompassed the following six main tasks: 

1. Review existing information on sublittoral MPA search features and PMFs within the 

survey area. 

2. Design and undertake a survey programme to ascertain the current distribution, 

quality and extent of MPA search features and PMFs present within the sound. 

3. Determine the extent of the population of Atrina fragilis and define areas of differing 

density (if applicable). 

4. Produce a full coverage predictive habitat map of the area, building upon and refining 

existing broadscale mapping. 

5. Note any human uses of the area. 

6. Undertake a preliminary assessment of the merits of the 2010 survey area against a 

specified subset of the guidelines developed to support the identification of new 

Nature Conservation MPAs in Scottish waters (Marine Scotland, 2011b). 

1.3 Review of existing data 

1.3.1 Geology and topography of the area 

The islands of Canna and Sanday are formed largely of tertiary basaltic lava, which 

originated from an ancient volcano on the Isle of Skye. The basalt on Canna is exposed in a 

number of places as dramatic organ pipe pillars. Of particular interest to geologists are great 

thicknesses of boulder conglomerate, with rounded boulders of over a metre in diameter 

marking the routes of fast-flowing rivers that cut into the lava fields at the time of the volcanic 

eruptions. 

2

Rum has a far more complex structure, with the jagged gabbro of the Rum Cuillins being the 

remains of another volcano. The rounded granite of the headland at A’Bhrideanach at the 

south-west entrance to the sound is also a product of this volcanic activity. The north-west 

coast bordering the Sound of Canna consists largely of Torridonian sandstone with a small 

area of more recent sedimentary rock. Glaciation and the subsequent rise of the land led to 

the formation of raised beaches which are evident around both Rum and Canna. The raised 

beach at Harris on the south-west coast of Rum (to the south of Figure 1 coverage) is 30 m 

above the present-day tidemark with a similar but smaller beach fragment at Kilmory Bay. 

Six metres above high tide level at Guirdil and Kilmory there is also a second set of postglacial 

raised beaches, formed around 6,000 years ago (Goodenough and Bradwell, 2004). 

The Sound of Canna is a steep-sided channel over-deepened by glaciation. It is just over 

3 km wide at its narrowest point and reaches a maximum depth of 275 m, shallowing to 

about 90 m at the south-western end. A boulder slope along the Rum coast drops to a 

gravel shelf at about 20 to 25 m which extends along the whole north-west coast of the 

island. Below this is a steep sediment slope to the floor of the channel. There is a sandy 

beach at the head of Kilmory Bay and the clean sands extend into the subtidal. On the 

western side of the channel, a rock wall along the south and east coasts of Sanday drops 

vertically from about 15 m to over 60 m depth where a steep boulder and sediment slope 

continues to the channel floor (Figure 2). In shallower water along this coast there is a rock 

and boulder shelf with small skerries and patches of sand in the most sheltered parts. On 

the eastern end of Sanday the underwater cliffs extend eastwards, as a reef, and there is a 

short north facing wall known to local divers. 

Figure 2 A diver’s interpretation of the Sanday cliffs (Davidson, 1982) 

The entrance to Canna Harbour is sheltered from the prevailing winds and supports areas of 

finer muddy sediments. The skerry of Sgeir a’Phuirt has a sheltered steep north wall 

dropping to about 30 m depth, with a shallower and more gradually sloping southern side 

which drops into a sheltered sediment channel. On the east coast of Canna there is very 

little inshore rock; a sediment slope, very steep in places, comes almost to the shoreline. 

However, on the north-east corner of the island at An t-Each there is a short stretch of steep, 

north facing underwater rock from about 20 m depth, outcropping from a sediment slope. 

3

The floor of the sound supports a range of sedimentary substrates, from sand to mud, with 

large amounts of shell debris common. Boulder piles, which are probably glacial debris, 

either morainic or dropstones shed by decaying icebergs, are scattered throughout. There 

are also areas of uncharted bedrock along the edges of the deep central channel. 

1.3.2 Previous marine biological sampling in the Sound of Canna 

There has been relatively little formal survey work carried out in the Sound of Canna (see 

Table 1 below and Figure 3 overleaf). A diving team from the Nature Conservancy Council 

(NCC - the predecessor of SNH and its sister conservation agencies) visited Rum in 1980 

and carried out several dives along both sides of the sound. The majority of their diving was 

shallower than 30 m and, as the northern sea fans in the area seem to be found below this 

depth, this species was not recorded. 

Table 1 

Marine biological surveys undertaken within the Sound of Canna 

Year Commissioning 

organisation 

Survey 

type 

Sites 

MPA search features / *PMFs 

recorded 

Reference 

1980 

1988 

Nature Conservancy 

Council / Underwater 

Conservation Society 

Nature Conservancy 

Council 

Diving 

survey, 

Phase 2 

style 

Diving 


Seasearch 

10 

European spiny lobster Palinurus 

elephas 

Burrowed mud (CFiMu.MegMax) 

3 none 

Dipper, 1981 

MacKinnon, 

1988 

Seagrass beds 

(SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar) 

1993 

Scottish Natural 

Heritage 

ROV 4 

Burrowed mud (CFiMu.MegMax 

& CFiMu.SpnMeg) 

Kelp and seaweed communities 

on sublittoral sediment 

(KSwSS.LsacCho & 

KSwSS.LsacR.Sa) 

Burrowing sea anemone 

Arachnanthus sarsi 

Scottish Natural 

Heritage, 1993 

2004, 

2006, 

2007 

Marine Conservation 

Society 

Diving 


Seasearch 

7 

Northern sea fan and sponge 

communities 

(CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi); 

*White cluster anemone 

Parazoanthus anguicomus 

Seasearch, 

2004. 

Individual 

recording forms 

only in 2006 & 

2007 

2009 

Marine Scotland 

Science 

Drop video 

3 

transects 

Fan mussel Atrina fragilis 

aggregations 

Marine Science 

Scotland, 2009 

The 1980 survey recorded jewel anemones, hydroids, sponges and a turf of bryozoans from 

the underwater cliffs. The cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali and the 

European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas, an MPA search feature, were both reported. Of 

particular interest was the presence of the sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus, an 

unusual deep water species, on Sgeir a’Phuirt. This species does not appear to have been 

recorded by more recent surveys. NCC divers surveyed kelp forest and gravel shelf 

communities along the Rum shore and did not consider the area to be of conservation 

interest (Dipper, 1981). Short diving surveys were also conducted by mixed teams of marine 

biologists and recreational divers in 1988 (MacKinnon, 1988) and 2004, 2006 and 2007 

(Seasearch). These surveys included dives on the Sanday cliffs, with the 2004 and 2007 

studies recording northern sea fan communities below the lighthouse. 

4

In 1993 an SNH team conducted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) trials around Canna and 

collected a number of video samples from within the 2010 survey area. Of particular interest 

was a sighting of the rare burrowing anemone Arachnanthus sarsi off the east coast of 

Canna and the discovery of a small Zostera marina bed in the bay north of Rubha Carr-Innis. 

Some incorrect transcription of data had placed this bed in the little bay between north-west 

Sanday and Canna; this has now been resolved but it may appear in the wrong location in 

some literature. Most recently, following extensive construction work in Canna Harbour, 

monitoring work using drop-down video sampling techniques was carried out on the licensed 

dredge spoil disposal area to the north-east of Sanday. In 2009 this work revealed the 

presence of numbers of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis (Marine Scotland Science, 2009). 

Figure 3 

Historical marine biological sampling effort within the 2010 survey area 




Figure 4 shows the distribution of MPA search features and PMFs found by these earlier 

surveys. Whilst Seasearch information is not routinely recorded in a biotope format, where it 

was possible to attribute a biotope to the raw survey data examined as part of this study, this 

was done and the information incorporated into the map. 

1.3.3 The fan mussel Atrina fragilis 

Atrina fragilis is the largest bivalve in UK waters with a triangular, fragile shell up to 48 cm in 

length. At one time it was found throughout the seas around the British Isles down to at 

least 400 m (UK Biodiversity Group, 1999a). Fan mussels live buried in mud, sand and 

gravel habitats with their broad end protruding from the surface whilst the pointed end 

attaches by byssal threads to material in the sediment. Historically the species was regularly 

caught in dredges, trawls or fishing nets, sometimes in aggregations, with ships’ records 

from the middle of the 19th century describing the species as ‘gregarious’ (Jeffreys, 1863). 

The majority of modern records are of individuals only and the species is now thought to be 

one of the most endangered molluscs in Britain (Solandt, 2003). 

5

Figure 4 

The distribution of MPA search features / PMFs within the Sound of Canna 

recorded by surveys undertaken prior to 2010 




The deep water dredge spoil disposal site within the Sound of Canna, where the fan mussel 

aggregation was recorded by Marine Scotland Science (MSS) in 2009 (Figure 4), was used 

for the Small Isles ferry dredging operations in the early 2000s, along with sites at the Isle of 

Muck and Isle of Eigg, but has not been used for a number of years. Fan mussels were 

observed during three of the four video runs completed in 2009 but the full spatial extent of 

the population was not determined. 

Prior to 2009 there had only been three other confirmed ‘live’ records of individual fan 

mussels in Scottish waters since 2000, all from inshore waters around the west coast. The 

aggregation observed within the Sound of Canna represents the largest known population in 

UK waters. An unconfirmed record from early 2005 of thousands of individuals in a 60 

square mile area off the Scilly Isles in south-west England has not been substantiated 

(S. McNair, pers. comm.). Other significant records include a 1991 cruise led by the Ministry 

of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF - now Defra / Cefas) which collected 14 individual 

fan mussels, all in separate trawls, from depths of over 100 m in the western approaches of 

the English Channel (Solandt, 2003). 

The small number of recent records suggest that A. fragilis exists within Scottish territorial 

waters, primarily at very low density, off the west coast and around the Inner Hebrides. 

There appears to be no information on the current status of the species in north-east 

Scotland or the Northern Isles where they have been recorded historically. 

It is speculated that shallow water recruitment relies on larval production in deep water 

populations (Solandt, 2003). The longevity of A. fragilis is uncertain but the related Pinna 

nobilis, a Mediterranean species, is reported to live for up to 18 years (Butler et al., 1993). 

6

Richardson et al. (2004) showed that growth rates of P. nobilis in the Adriatic were related to 

sea surface temperature and were highest during the summer months. A study of annular 

growth rings in an Irish population of A. fragilis indicated that growth occurs at about 3 to 

4 cm per year (UK Biodiversity Group, 1999a). However, water temperatures in the Sound 

of Canna are several degrees lower than those around the Irish coast so it is possible that 

these more northern fan mussels will have a slower growth rate. 

1.4 Predictive broadscale seabed habitat mapping of the Sound of Canna 

SNH commissioned the production of a GIS-based predictive seabed habitat map covering 

the Highland, Hebrides and Orkney Marine Environment (HHOME; Foster-Smith, 2010). 

The project took existing data on sediments, bathymetry, topography and other physical 

conditions, and combined them with known and geo-referenced biological data to produce 

predictive habitat maps for selected waters out to 12 nm. The predictive mapping generated 

for the Small Isles area (Figure 5) informed the design of the 2010 Sound of Canna survey. 

Figure 5 Predictive habitat mapping of the Sound of Canna (Foster-Smith, 2010) 




Detailed multibeam data from around the Small Isles, collected in 2009 as part of the 

Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Civil Hydrography Programme, were acquired by SNH 

through the Pan-Government agreement on the sharing of hydrographic data. However, 

these data were not processed in time to inform the 2010 survey work will be reported upon 

separately. 

7

1.5 Human activities in the Sound of Canna 

The Isle of Canna, owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), has 10 working crofts 

and a population of 16; there is a slightly larger population on the neighbouring island of 

Rum, a National Nature Reserve. With the low numbers of people in the area there is 

relatively little human activity apparent within the sound. 

1.5.1 Leisure activities 

Leisure pursuits undertaken within the sound are seasonal, largely restricted to the summer 

months. Wildlife watching trips bring tourists on day trips from Skye and the mainland to see 

basking sharks, seals, whales and the bird life, including sea eagles. Live aboard dive boats 

visit Canna primarily for the cliffs around Sanday and Sgeir a’Phuirt. 

The sheltered natural harbour on Canna is an attractive location for visiting boats and one of 

the more popular anchorages in the area as it makes a safe haven to stop overnight on the 

way to or from the Outer Hebrides. During the 2010 survey there were usually several 

yachts anchored overnight. Canna now boasts a small bar and restaurant, providing an 

added attraction for visitors. 

The pier on Canna was rebuilt in 2005 and is used by a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, linking 

the island, and the neighbouring Small Isles of Rum, Eigg and Muck, to the mainland port of 

Mallaig (2 hours and 30 minutes away). 

1.5.2 Future maintenance dredging and spoil dumping 

NTS have permission to dredge the harbour on Canna when necessary but need to obtain 

approval for dumping of spoil (Scottish Statutory Instruments No. 199). 

1.5.3 Fishing 

A boat was seen trawling on the deep mud to the south of Canna and Sanday and further 

afield throughout the week of the third fieldwork period in September 2010. It appeared to 

be following the 50 m contour and was assumed to be fishing for langoustine Nephrops 

norvegicus. Creels for Nephrops (from a single vessel) were observed in the centre of the 

sound and towards the Rum shore and a second boat was seen potting for crabs and 

lobsters in the nearshore rocky areas. 

8

2 METHODS 

2.1 Sampling strategy 

The 2010 Sound of Canna benthic survey comprised four distinct phases, undertaken in the 

following chronological order: 

1. A survey of shallow coastal waters from a small boat using a lightweight drop-down 

video system. 

2. Targeted fine resolution in-situ, diver sampling. 

3. A survey of the deeper parts of the sound using a heavier drop-down video camera 

system capable of operating in over 200 m of water. 

4. Grab sampling within the range of sediment communities present. 

Historical survey data, the HHOME predictive seabed habitat mapping and Admiralty charts 

were used to ensure coverage of the perceived benthic variation across the survey area. 

2.2 Fieldwork safety and logistics 

2.2.1 Video and grab surveys 

The video survey was undertaken in two discrete phases. The shallow water work (less than 

35 m) was carried out between 5 th - 7 th August 2010 by Christine Howson and Jon Moore of 

ASML and Laura Clark of SNH. The drop-down video camera system was deployed from 

the survey vessel Lophelia (Plate 1), skippered by Mark Woombs, a marine biologist based 

in Knoydart. Lophelia is a Redbay Stormforce 11 RIB, powered by twin 245 hp inboard 

engines capable of speeds up to 40 knots. The survey team mobilised from Mallaig on 

5 th August. 

Plate 1 

Survey vessel Lophelia at Rum pier and RV Aora at Canna pier 

The deep water video survey took place between 20 th - 28 th September 2010. The survey 

team (Christine Howson and Tom Mercer of ASML and Tom Stephenson of University 

Marine Biological Station on Millport - UMBSM) was based on board the UMBSM research 

vessel Aora (Plate 1). This 22 m survey vessel has accommodation for four research staff. 

The survey mobilised at Millport on 20 th September and steamed overnight to Canna. Video, 

grab and ROV work took place from 21 st September to the morning of the 27 th September. 

RV Aora left Canna at around midday on the 27 th September and arrived back in Millport on 

9

the morning of the 28 th September. David Bova from Marine Scotland Science (MSS) joined 

the survey on Canna for a few days to operate the SNH / MSS Seaeye Falcon ROV. One 

day was spent grab sampling and one day was given to the ROV; the remainder of the time 

was spent using the UMBSM drop-down video. 

2.2.2 Diver sampling 

The diving fieldwork was carried out by a team of four divers from 28 th August - 

4 th September 2010. Lophelia was used as the diving platform for this work. All of the 

diving was carried out in accordance with the Approved Code of Practice for scientific diving 

projects (Health and Safety Commission, 1998). An Enriched Air Nitrox system was 

deployed for divers to use at safety stops. Slack water was only required for diving on the 

outer parts of the Great Wall, on the south-east of Sanday. 

The survey team travelled to Canna on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Mallaig and 

returned to Mallaig in Lophelia. As no vehicles can be taken onto Canna, much of the 

equipment was transported on the freight van that serves the islands; diving cylinders were 

carried on separately. The team stayed at the guesthouse on Canna for the first part of the 

survey and moved to the hostel on Rum on the 1 st September. The SNH compressor was 

used for air fills. Equipment was stored in the harbour sheds at Canna pier; microscopes 

were also set up here. 

2.3 Remote video sampling 

2.3.1 Shallow water video survey 

The shallow water video sampling locations were selected to provide an overview of the full 

range of habitat types likely to be present in the nearshore area, within a maximum working 

depth of approximately 35 m. Greater densities of video stations were assigned to specific 

locations to determine the continued presence and extent of the following previously 

recorded MPA search features: 

 

 

 

 

 

Burrowed mud. 

Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment. 

Northern sea fan and sponge communities. 

Seagrass beds. 

Tide-swept algal communities. 

The 56 shallow water video stations sampled along the Canna and Rum coastal margins are 

illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. 

The ASML drop-down video equipment (Plate 2) is a light-weight system that can be handhauled 

and operated from a RIB. It is based on a Sony 3CCD digital video camera (DRV 

950) with mini DV format tapes and is designed to drift above the seabed rather than drag 

along it in contrast to systems which utilise the sledge mode of operation. The aluminium 

housing is rated to 130 m. The lights are powered by an independent surface 110 v system 

(generator or vessel supplied) and so do not rely on battery power. The system is controlled 

from the surface and the digital video footage can be recorded in the camera and 

simultaneously relayed to the surface via the umbilical where it is viewed and recorded on a 

Sony mini digital VCR. A surface control box provides remote control facilities for both the 

camera and the lights. 

10

Figure 6 

Shallow water video stations surveyed around Canna and Sanday 




Figure 7 

Shallow water video stations surveyed along the west coast of Rum 




11

Plate 2 

ASML drop camera and frame and hand deployment over the side of survey 

vessel Lophelia within the Sound of Canna 

At each station, the video camera was lowered to the seabed. The boat and camera were 

allowed to drift until the biologist controlling the recording felt there was enough footage to 

categorise the benthic habitats present. At some stations, particularly along the coast of 

Rum, the camera drifted towards the shore across several depth zones. GPS waypoints 

were taken on these tows to mark biotope boundaries or particular features of interest. 

Whilst the video tows were underway, notes were made by one of the biologists detailing the 

species visible and the seabed substrata displayed on the television screen. This initial field 

assessment identified any MPA search features or PMFs and their position was noted. 

Subsequent post-fieldwork analysis of the tapes involved reviewing the footage more 

thoroughly to identify as many species as possible and to produce a more detailed 

description of the seabed. In some cases, the low level of information retrievable from the 

tapes meant that the site could fit into any one of several biotopes. In these cases the 

biotope was assigned to a higher level in the classification. This was particularly pertinent at 

shallow sediment stations supporting algal communities but with few conspicuous animals 

(such biotopes are notoriously difficult to identify from video footage). 

It proved impossible to survey the cliffs using the drop-down video and so SNH’s mini ROV 

(VideoRay Pro400SE) was deployed in an effort to look at the vertical cliff walls beyond 

diving depths. However, the inadequate charting of the area combined with adverse 

weather conditions meant that the boat was unable to anchor in the shallow water above the 

cliffs and no additional footage was obtained. 

The results of the video work were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and Marine Recorder. 

No statistical analysis of the video results was deemed appropriate. 

2.3.2 Deep water video survey 

The deep water video survey was undertaken in conjunction with the grab sampling (covered 

in Section 2.4). As in the preceding shallow water work, sampling locations were selected to 

provide an overview of the full range of habitat types likely to be present throughout the 

sound but with significantly greater sampling intensity in areas of known or anticipated fan 

mussel occurrence. Unsuccessful attempts were made during the deep water video work to 

sample the deeper vertical bedrock cliff areas using the SNH/MSS Seaeye Falcon ROV. 

Sixty deep water stations were sampled (code A) and a further seven shallower locations, 

identified on the basis of the earlier video work and follow-up diver sampling (see 

Section 2.5) were assessed specifically looking for maerl (code M). The video runs are 

illustrated on Figure 8. 

12

Figure 8 

Video stations surveyed in the central Sound of Canna (A) and on the maerl bed 

at Guridil (M) 




The deep water drop-down camera system operated by UMBSM on RV Aora (Plate 3) 

consists of a Kongsberg-Simrad colour UW video camera (OE 1362) and two Versabeam 

500w lights (Remote Ocean Systems). The camera and lights can be positioned at will 

inside the frame to provide any required field of view. The umbilical is 400 m long, and 

connected through a slip ring winch to the dry lab onboard, where the monitors and video 

recorders are located. Date and time are overlaid onto the video signal. The video picture is 

also relayed to the wheelhouse. The winch is controlled either from the wheelhouse or by 

the camera observers in the dry lab. This minimises impact of the frame on the seabed, 

although this is somewhat dependent on the sea state. 

Plate 3 

UMSBM drop-down camera and deployment over the stern of RV Aora 

13

The video survey was carried out in depths of up to 275 m and this required a robust camera 

system heavy enough to reach the seabed without streaming too far behind the boat. Due to 

the time required to deploy the system in deep water, the camera was left down for much 

longer than the shallow water system, particularly when trying to ascertain the extent of the 

fan mussel bed. The longest video sample was approximately 42 minutes. The camera was 

controlled from the surface and it was generally possible to keep the frame just above the 

seabed enabling a biologist to record contemporaneous notes to accompany the footage. 

The video camera was not a digital system and the quality of the footage was lower than that 

obtained using the shallow water equipment. 

2.4 Grab sampling 

Towards the end of the deep video work, a full day (25 th September) was dedicated to the 

collection of 23 infaunal samples using a Day Grab (0.1m 2 volume). The distribution of the 

grab stations is illustrated in Figure 9. Sample locations were selected on the basis of the 

preceding video survey, ensuring good coverage across the sound and targeting specific 

biotopes of interest. Two samples were taken at Guridil in an effort to sample the maerl 

observed there. The first sample (G23) was too deep so the boat moved in shallower for a 

second grab (G22). 

Figure 9 

Distribution of grab sampling stations within the Sound of Canna 

(note - there was no Station G16) 




The position of each grab station was recorded by GPS and each infaunal sample was 

processed on board. Only full grab samples were retained and no replicates were taken. A 

subsample (~200 g) was taken from the surface of each grab for sediment grain size 

distribution analyses and organic matter content determination for correlation of the 

sediment characteristics with the infaunal community. 

14

Each discrete grab sample was emptied into a wash box on the deck of RV Aora. In the 

wash box the sediment was gently agitated with seawater from the deck hose and washed 

through a 1 mm sieve. After gentle sieving the residue was transferred to an airtight bucket, 

fixed with a 15% formal saline solution and labelled on both the inside and outside of the 

bucket with relevant station details. Once the formalin had been added to the storage 

buckets, they were carefully inverted to ensure that all the material was exposed to the 

fixative solution. No vital stain was added to the samples. Photographs were taken of each 

full grab before processing and of the sediment residue following sieving (Plate 4). 

Plate 4 

Example photographs showing the volume and contents of a successful grab 

sample (Station G09) and the residue retained in the 1 mm sieve 

Laboratory extraction and identification to the finest practicable resolution and enumeration 

of the sampled fauna was carried out by Dr. Peter Garwood of Identichaet, a renowned 

international expert in the field of marine invertebrate taxonomy and macrobenthic infaunal 

identification. This was carried out according to NMBAQC guidelines. The sediment 

samples, which were kept frozen, were couriered to Hebog Environmental, an NMBAQC 

laboratory, for particle size distribution analysis using a combination of wet and dry sieving 

for particles larger than 63 m and by electronic particle counting for material smaller than 

63 m. The organic matter determination was calculated by loss on ignition at 450°C. 

2.5 Diver sampling 

The main focus of the diving survey was to collect detailed in-situ, biological records from 

selected MPA search features within diving depths (

sketches of the site. These data were supplemented by digital video and digital SLR 

photography. Following the survey, biotope codes were assigned to the data which were 

entered into Excel spreadsheets and subsequently into Marine Recorder. 

Figure 10 Distribution of dive sites surveyed in 2010 within the Sound of Canna 




The divers were restricted to a maximum depth of 40 m. On the cliffs, the northern sea fan 

Swiftia pallida was not found shallower than 30 m and thus there was very little time 

available in this target MPA search feature. In order to maximise the information collected, 

both pairs of divers covered the same dive site. At less complex or shallower sites, only a 

single pair of divers was required to satisfactorily complete the survey tasks. 

2.5.1 Seagrass beds 

Two small Zostera marina seagrass beds were found during the video work and these were 

mapped during the diving survey. The water was clear enough to allow divers to snorkel 

around the perimeter with a GPS in a waterproof case attached to a small float. The tracks 

were later downloaded and the beds mapped. Meanwhile, divers carried out Phase 2 

recording and took photographs and video. 

The sediments within each bed were also described and cored with a 10.3 cm diameter, 15 - 

20 cm depth core in order to sample the infauna. Five replicate cores were collected from 

each bed and washed with seawater through a 1 mm mesh sieve. The sediment and fauna 

retained on the sieve were preserved in a 15% formal saline solution for subsequent 

identification. A sample of sediment was also taken and later processed for Particle Size 

Analysis (PSA) and ‘Loss on Ignition’ (LoI), the former to help to characterise the particle 

size distribution and the latter to provide a measure of the organic content of the sediment. 

This sample consisted of a scrape of approximately 500 g of the top 50 mm of sediment. 

16

Following the survey, the infauna was picked from the sieved macrobenthic samples for 

identification and enumeration. This was carried out according to NMBAQC guidelines by 

Tom Mercer of ASML. After the macrofauna had been identified, the data were analysed 

using the PRIMER 5 statistical package and a series of univariate and multivariate statistics 

were calculated. The sediment samples, which were kept frozen, were couriered to Hebog 

Environmental, an NMBAQC laboratory, for particle size distribution analysis using a 

combination of wet and dry sieving for particles larger than 63 m and by electronic particle 

counting for material smaller than 63 m. The organic matter determination was calculated 

by loss on ignition at 450°C. 

17

3 RESULTS 

Successful drop-down video recordings were made as a series of drifts over the seabed at 

63 shallow water stations (of which seven stations were established specifically looking for 

maerl - these were completed during the deeper video component of the sampling) and 60 

deep water stations. The sampling locations are illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Positional 

information and summary notes for each video sample (including biotope assignments and 

alignment with MPA search features / PMFs) are provided in Tables A1.1 and A1.2 

(Appendix 1). The species recorded during the two phases of the video work are tabulated 

in Tables A1.5 and A1.6 for the shallow water and deep water stations respectively (all 

tables within Appendix 1). 

The distribution of the grab stations is illustrated in Figure 9 and the detailed infaunal 

analyses are provided in Appendix 2. 

The 15 dive locations are illustrated in Figure 10 and detailed in Table A1.3. Habitat 

descriptions from the dive sites are given in Table A1.4 and the species recorded during the 

diving work are tabulated in Table A1.7 (all tables within Appendix 1). The detailed results of 

the infaunal survey of the seagrass beds are included in Appendix 3. 

Logs of photographs and video footage collected during the 2010 survey are included in 

Appendix 4. 

3.1 Biotope composition and distribution within the Sound of Canna 

The 52 biotopes recorded during the survey in 2010 are listed in Table 2 (overleaf). Two of 

the MPA search features recorded within the Sound of Canna in 2010 are not classified as 

discrete biotopes within the current version of the national biotope classification (Connor et 

al., 2004). For the purposes of this report, the following provisional biotopes have been 

assigned to the northern featherstar and fan mussel aggregation search features 

respectively: 

Aggregations of the northern feather star Leptometra celtica on mixed muddy 

sediments (SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt); and 

 

Aggregations of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis in poorly sorted mixed muddy 

sediments (SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag). 

Figures 11 and 12 show the distribution of all of the stations sampled in 2010, coded at the 

biotope complex level (colouring aligns with Table 2). 

Infralittoral kelp biotopes were restricted to suitable habitat along the coastal margins on 

either side of the sound, primarily within the 20 m depth contour (with Laminaria hyberborea 

kelp forests IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypFa and IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR recorded to ~18.5 m and 

individual kelp plants down to ~24 m). The kelp with cushion fauna and/or foliose red 

seaweeds (IR.HIR.KFaR) and sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed 

communities (IR.HIR.KSed) biotope complexes were present on the more exposed, high 

energy areas of coastline to the south and west of Canna and Sanday and along the west 

coast of Rum. The moderate and low energy kelp dominated biotope complexes 

(IR.MIR.KR and IR.LIR.K) were restricted to shallower water or areas afforded protection 

from wave action by virtue of geographical aspect (e.g. north-east of Sanday), nearshore 

rocks or within small embayments. In the lower infralittoral, in areas of high energy below 

the kelp zone, foliose red seaweeds were present on bedrock and mixed boulder and cobble 

substrates (IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR). 

18

Table 2 

Biotopes identified in the Sound of Canna in 2010 (all sampling methods) and 

their frequency of occurrence. Biotopes follow Connor et al., 2004 

Key to biotope coding and table colours (coloured at habitat complex level) 

Rock biotopes (IR = infralittoral rock; CR = circalittoral rock) 

Sublittoral Sediment biotopes (SS) 

High energy infralittoral rock (HIR) High energy circalittoral rock (HCR) Sublittoral coarse sediment (SCS) 

Moderate energy infralittoral rock (MIR) Moderate energy circalittoral rock (MCR) Sublittoral sand (SSa) 

Low energy infralittoral rock (LIR) Low energy circalittoral rock (LCR) Sublittoral mud (SMu) 

Feature of infralittoral rock (FIR) Feature of circalittoral rock (FCR) Sublittoral mixed substrata (SMx) 

Examples IR.HIR 

= Habitat complex (level 3 in classification) Sublittoral macrophytes on sediment (SMp) 

IR.HIR.KFaR = Biotope complex (level 4 in classification) 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR = Biotope level (anything longer = sub-biotope) 

Sublittoral biogenic reefs on seds (SBR) 

Biotope Description Count 

IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR Foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower infralittoral rock 10 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypFa 

Laminaria hyperborea forest with a faunal cushion (sponges and 3 

polyclinids) and foliose red seaweeds on very exposed upper 

infralittoral rock 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed 4 


IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft Laminaria hyperborea forest with dense foliose red seaweeds on 7 

exposed upper infralittoral rock 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk Laminaria hyperborea park with dense foliose red seaweeds on 

3 

exposed lower infralittoral rock 

IR.HIR.KSed.LsacSac Laminaria saccharina and/or Saccorhiza polyschides on exposed 1 


IR.HIR.KSed.Sac 

Saccorhiza polyschides and other opportunistic kelps on disturbed 1 

sublittoral fringe rock 

IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR Mixed kelps with scour-tolerant and opportunistic foliose red 

4 

seaweeds on scoured or sand-covered infralittoral rock 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp Laminaria hyperborea on tide-swept, infralittoral rock 3 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft 

Laminaria hyperborea forest and foliose red seaweeds on moderately 3 

exposed upper infralittoral rock 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt Grazed Laminaria hyperborea forest with coralline crusts on upper 5 


IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 

Mixed Laminaria hyperborea and Laminaria saccharina on sheltered 3 


IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac.Ft Mixed Laminaria hyperborea and Laminaria saccharina forest on 1 

sheltered upper infralittoral rock 

IR.LIR.K.Lsac Laminaria saccharina on very sheltered infralittoral rock 3 

IR.LIR.K.Lsac.Ft Laminaria saccharina forest on very sheltered upper infralittoral rock 1 

CR.HCR.XFa.CvirCri 

Corynactis viridis and a mixed turf of crisiids, Bugula, Scrupocellaria, 4 

and Cellaria on moderately tide-swept exposed circalittoral rock 

CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock 1 

CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia Sparse sponges, Nemertesia spp. and Alcyonidium diaphanum on 2 

circalittoral mixed substrata 

CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs Mixed turf of hydroids and large ascidians with Swiftia pallida and 1 

Caryophyllia smithii on weakly tide-swept circalittoral rock 

CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi Caryophyllia smithii and Swiftia pallida on circalittoral rock 9 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr Faunal and algal crusts on exposed to moderately wave-exposed 6 

circalittoral rock 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Adig Alcyonium digitatum, Pomatoceros triqueter, algal and bryozoan 2 

crusts on wave-exposed circalittoral rock 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec Alcyonium digitatum with Securiflustra securifrons on tide-swept 

3 

moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock 

CR.LCR.BrAs Brachiopod and ascidian communities 6 

CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup 

Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging 


2 

19

Biotope Description Count 

SS.SCS.ICS Infralittoral coarse sediment 2 

SS.SCS.CCS Circalittoral coarse sediment 8 

SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen 

SS.SCS.CCS.PomB 

Mediomastus fragilis, Lumbrineris spp. and venerid bivalves in 

circalittoral coarse sand or gravel 

Pomatoceros triqueter with barnacles and bryozoan crusts on 

unstable circalittoral cobbles and pebbles 

SS.SSa.CFiSa Circalittoral fine sand 1 

SS.SSa.CMuSa Circalittoral muddy sand 3 

SS.SSa.IFiSa Infralittoral fine sand 3 

SS.SSa.IFiSa.NcirBat Nephtys cirrosa and Bathyporeia spp. in infralittoral sand 1 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.AreISa Spisula subtruncata and Nephtys hombergii in shallow muddy sand 5 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.FfabMag 

Fabulina fabula and Magelona mirabilis with venerid bivalves and 

amphipods in infralittoral compacted fine muddy sand 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.SsubNhom Arenicola marina in infralittoral fine sand or muddy sand 1 

SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil 

Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in offshore circalittoral sand 

or muddy sand 

SS.SMu.ISaMu Infralittoral sandy mud 1 

SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowing megafauna and Maxmuelleria lankesteri in circalittoral mud 31 

SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun 

Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing 

megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral fine mud 

SS.SMu.CSaMu Circalittoral sandy mud 6 

SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit 

SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt 

Amphiura filiformis, Mysella bidentata and Abra nitida in circalittoral 

sandy mud 

Aggregations of the northern feather star Leptometra celtica on mixed 

muddy sediments 

SS.SMx.CMx Circalittoral mixed sediment 5 

SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 

SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal 

Cerianthus lloydii and other burrowing anemones in circalittoral muddy 

mixed sediment 

Cerianthus lloydii with Nemertesia spp. and other hydroids in 

circalittoral muddy mixed sediment 

Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds in infralittoral clean gravel or 

coarse sand 

SS.SMp.KSwSS Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment 1 

SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Laminaria saccharina and red seaweeds on infralittoral sediments 9 

SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Gv Laminaria saccharina and robust red algae on infralittoral gravel and 1 

pebbles 

SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar 

Zostera marina/angustifolia beds on lower shore or infralittoral clean 6 

or muddy sand 

SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

Aggregations of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis in poorly sorted mixed 

muddy sediments 

16 

3 

1 

1 

7 

6 

12 

5 

24 

3 

9 

20

Figure 11 2010 survey coverage off Canna and Sanday (all methodologies). Records 

displayed at biotope complex level, colour-coding aligns with Table 2 




Circalittoral rock (CR) biotopes were recorded below the nearshore algal biotopes but also at 

scattered locations throughout the sound. The high energy mixed faunal turf communities 

biotope complex (CR.HCR.XFa) was restricted to deep water adjacent to the coast and 

comprised four discrete biotopes supporting differing compositions of bryozoans, sponges, 

anemones, ascidians and hydroids. The northern sea fan Swiftia pallida was recorded as a 

component of the CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs biotope below ~34 m at the dive site on the 

eastern end of Sanday (Site 2; Figure 10). The echinoderms and crustose communities 

(CR.MCR.EcCr) biotope complex (comprising two biotopes and a further two sub-biotopes) 

and the lower energy circalittoral biotope complex (CR.LCR.BrAs) both had a wider 

distribution, associated with silty bedrock outcrops and boulder deposits (of glacial origin) 

scattered throughout the sound. The CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi biotope was assigned where 

northern sea fans were present. Cup corals Caryophyllia smithii, the bryozoan Porella 

compressa and the red cushion star Porania pulvillus were common to the biotopes. The 

circalittoral caves and overhangs (CR.FCR.Cv) biotope complex was represented by the 

CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup biotope which was recorded from vertical and overhanging cliff faces at 

two of the dive sites (Sites 8 and 13; Figure 10). 

Coarse sediment biotope complexes were represented in both infralittoral and circalittoral 

zones (SS.SCS.ICS and SS.SCS.CCS respectively), distributed off the west coast of Rum 

within the 80 m depth contour. The finer resolution SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen biotope was 

assigned to three grab sampling stations within this band of coarse sediment, on the basis of 

infaunal and particle size analyses. 

Sandy and muddy sand biotopes (under the SS.SSa habitat complex) were recorded on 

both sides of the sound in sheltered areas. Finer resolution biotopes were assigned under 

21

five discrete biotope complexes on the basis of either infaunal sampling (e.g. 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.FfabMag and SS.SSa.IFiSa.NcirBat from diver core samples within the 

small Zostera marina seagrass beds on Canna and Rum respectively; and 

SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil from a series of grab samples across the sound) or detailed diver 

recording (e.g. SS.SSa.IMuSa.SsubNhom record from dive Site 3). Where conspicuous 

epiflora or fauna were not visible e.g. on remote video footage, then the sandy seabed 

communities present were allocated to an appropriate coarser resolution biotope complex 

only (e.g. SS.SSa.CFiSa, SS.SSa.CMuSa and SS.SSa.IFiSa). The species rich 

SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil biotope, which was widespread in the sound under a veneer of 

burrowed mud, is discussed in more detail in Sections 3.2.1 and 3.3.1. 

Figure 12 2010 survey coverage off Rum (all methodologies). Records displayed at 

biotope complex level, colour-coding aligns with Table 2 




Mud and sandy mud (SS.SMu) biotopes were interspersed with mixed circalittoral sediments 

(SS.SMx) across much of the floor of the sound. The infralittoral sandy mud 

(SS.SMu.ISaMu) biotope complex was only recorded at one shallow water video station 

(16.1), just outside the entrance to the harbour on Canna. The muddy sand at this location 

supported the burrowing sea anemones Sagartiogeton laceratus and Cerianthus lloydii, 

echinoderms and occasional slender seapens Virgularia mirabilis. The circalittoral fine mud 

(SS.SMu.CFiMu) biotope complex was represented by the two component biotopes of the 

burrowed mud MPA search feature (SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax and 

SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg). The SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax biotope was the most frequently 

assigned, this was on the basis of modest and variable seapen numbers. The burrowed 

seabed substrates assigned to this biotope tended to be sandier in composition (muddy 

sands and sandy muds rather than fine muds). Where the tall seapen Funiculina 

quadrangularis was observed, the video samples were assigned to the 

SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun biotope. 

22

Circalittoral sandy mud (SS.SMu.CSaMu) biotopes included one dominated by bivalves and 

burrowing brittlestars (SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit), assigned to 12 grab sampling stations 

on the basis of infaunal and sediment particle size analyses, and the tentative northern 

feather star aggregations biotope SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt. Whilst assigned to sandy muds, 

this biotope was also associated with more mixed circalittoral sediments. 

The deep water video sampling extended the known distribution of the fan mussel Atrina 

fragilis aggregation (SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag) across the deep central portion of the sound and 

northwards to beyond the 2010 survey boundary. The core area of this biotope was situated 

to the north-east of Sanday, straddling the 200 m depth contour. The poorly sorted mixed 

muddy seabed substrates present were representative of both SS.SMu.CSaMu and 

SS.SMx.CMx biotope complexes but the biological community was assigned to the 

sublittoral mussel beds (on sublittoral sediment) (SS.SBR.SMus) biotope complex. 

The mud and sandy mud biotopes and all biotopes recorded under the sublittoral 

macrophyte-dominated communities on sediments (SS.SMp) biotope complex are discussed 

in more detail in Section 3.2. 

3.2 MPA search features recorded in the Sound of Canna 

The MPA search features recorded during the 2010 survey are listed in Table 3. Two 

additional PMFs were also noted. Aggregations of one of these, the burrowing sea 

anemone Aracnanthus sarsi, are considered an MPA search feature but only a single 

specimen was observed during the current study. 

Table 3 The 10 MPA search features (of which all but shelf deeps are also PMFs) and 2 

other non-search feature PMFs (cells greyed and marked *) recorded during the 

2010 Sound of Canna survey 

MPA search features and PMFs 

Seabed habitats 

Low or limited mobility species 

Mobile species 

Large-scale features 

Burrowed mud 

Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment 

Maerl beds 

Northern sea fan and sponge communities 

Seagrass beds 

Burrowing sea anemone, Arachnanthus sarsi* 

White cluster anemone, Parazoanthus anguicomus* 

Northern feather star agg s. on mixed substrata, Leptometra celtica 

Fan mussel aggregations, Atrina fragilis 

European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas 

Basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus 

Shelf deeps 

The associations between the MPA search features and the biotopes listed in Table 2 are 

outlined in the remainder of this section. Shelf deeps are a large-scale search feature of 

functional significance in Scottish waters. The predicted distribution of this feature within the 

Sound of Canna is illustrated in Figure 13. The current mapping of the shelf deeps is quite 

crude and the available bathymetric charting of the area was also found to be poor, but the 

presence of the feature was certainly confirmed in 2010 with multiple video and grab 

samples taken in water depths of up to 275 m. 

23

The shelf deeps are not considered in any further detail within this report but will be 

described under separate cover once the new MCA multibeam data for the sound have been 

processed. The seabed habitats recorded in 2010, including the MPA search features, will 

be used to aid interpretation of this acoustic data, to generate a refined broadscale habitat 

distribution map that more accurately reflects the shape of the deeps feature and clarifies the 

relationship between this and the other MPA search features present. 

Figure 13 Distribution of the large-scale shelf deeps MPA search feature within the Sound 

of Canna 




3.2.1 Burrowed mud 

The following component biotopes and species of the burrowed mud MPA search feature 

were recorded in 2010: 

 

 

 

Burrowing megafauna and Maxmuelleria lankesteri in circalittoral mud 

SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in 

undisturbed circalittoral fine mud 


Tall seapen 

Funiculina quadrangularis 

Distribution 

Depth range: MegMax 29 - 208 m; SpnMeg.Fun 70 - 140 m 

Total area: 1,292 ha 

24

Description 

The distribution of the burrowed mud search feature is illustrated in Figure 14. The muddy 

sediments on the floor of the sound were heavily burrowed (see Plate 5) with evidence of 

several crustacean species. Burrows of Nephrops norvegicus were readily identifiable and 

often had individual prawns in the entrance or on the sediment surface in the vicinity. 

Figure 14 Predicted distribution of the burrowed mud MPA search feature component 

biotope SS.SMU.CFiMu.MegMax within the Sound of Canna with individual 

records of burrows and seapens 




Plate 5 

Screen grabs from drop-down video footage of burrowed mud within the Sound 

of Canna. A phosphorescent seapen Pennatula phosphorea is visible in the 

second image 

25

The crab Goneplax rhomboides was seen on several occasions. Other burrows were 

attributed to callianassid and calocarid crustaceans. In addition to the crustacean burrows, 

two burrowing fish species were also observed, the snake blenny Lumpenus 

lampretaeformis and Fries’ goby Lesuerigobius friesii. Species frequently seen on the 

sediment surface included large numbers of the tower shell Turritella communis, often with 

the pagurid Pagurus prideaux and the commensal anemone Adamsia carciniopados. The 

anemones Cerianthus lloydii and Sagartiogeton laceratus were common and the fanworm 

Sabella pavonina was frequently seen. All three species of seapens were recorded, 

scattered across the area in low numbers. The distribution of the tall sea pen Funiculina 

quadrangularis is shown in Figure 15. The biotope SS.SMu.SpnMeg.Fun was considered 

to be present but was not mapped as an individual feature as there was no substantial single 

area of seapens. 

Figure 15 Individual records of the tall seapen Funiculina quadrangularis within the 2010 

Sound of Canna survey area 




Boulders, cobbles and shell debris were present on the sediment surface at many sites and 

in these cases species such as the squat lobster Munida rugosa and the anemone Urticina 

eques were frequent. Where the northern feather star Leptometra celtica was common on 

mixed substrates, the stations were classed as SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt (see Section 3.2.6). 

The burrowed mud biotopes were assigned primarily on the basis of the seabed surface 

features and the presence of megafaunal burrowers and seapens. The infaunal samples 

from within the burrowed mud area revealed two main infaunal biotopes associated with this 

feature SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil and SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit (Figure 16). 

SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil is itself recognised as a constituent of the PMF and MPA search 

feature ‘offshore subtidal sands and gravels’. This habitat of mixed muddy sand (Figure 17) 

is discussed in more detail in Section 3.3.1. 

26

Figure 16 Division of the megafaunal burrowed mud habitat in the Sound of Canna into the 

infaunal biotopes SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil and SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit 




Figure 17 Particle size analysis of the SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil sediment samples, showing 

the percentage of each sediment category 

60 

Particle Size Analysis of OfusAfil sediments 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Medium 

pebble 

(gravel) 

Small 

pebble 

(gravel) 

Granule Sand - 

very 

coarse 

Sand - 

coarse 


medium 


fine 


very fine 

Silt & 

Clay 

G02 G03 G05 G10 G12 G13 G20 

27

The second biotope SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit was found in slightly muddier sediments 

(Figure 18) and was species rich and diverse (total taxa 245, mean taxa 59, mean H’ 3.4). It 

was characterised by large numbers of the brittlestars Amphiura filiformis and Amphiura 

chiajei, the bivalve Abra nitida, and polychaetes including Notomastus latericeus, 

Lumbrineris gracilis, Spiophanes kroyeri, Diplocirrus glaucus and Galthowenia oculata. 

Figure 18 Particle size analysis of the SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit sediment samples, 

showing the percentage of each sediment category 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

Particle Size Analysis of AfilMysAnit sediments 

0 

Medium 

pebble 

(gravel) 

Small 

pebble 

(gravel) 

Granule Sand - 

very 

coarse 


coarse 


medium 


fine 


very fine 

Silt & 

Clay 

G01 G04 G06 G07 G08 G09 G11 G14 G15 G17 G18 G19 

3.2.2 Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment 

The following component biotopes of the kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral 

sediment MPA search feature (SS.SMp.KSwSS) were recorded in 2010: 

 

 

Laminaria saccharina and red seaweeds on infralittoral sediments 

SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

Laminaria saccharina and robust red algae on infralittoral gravel and pebbles 

SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Gv 

Distribution 

 

 

Description 

Depth range: 4 - 23 m 

Total area: 84 ha 

Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment were recorded from the shallow shelf 

of sand, muddy sand and gravel along the east side of Canna and the north of Sanday, and 

also from the sediment channel behind the skerry of Sgeir a’Phuirt (Figure 19). The seabed 

in Kilmory Bay on Rum supported similar algal communities on muddy sand as did patches 

of sand in the embayment to the west of Sanday, although this area had a greater proportion 

of boulder and bedrock. Several biotopes were recorded from or adjacent to the infralittoral 

sediment with the most widely distributed being characterised by sugar kelp Laminaria 

saccharina (Saccharina latissima) plants and scattered red algae (SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR). 

At dive Site 7 this community was encountered on coarser gravelly substrates 

(SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Gv). 

28

Some L. saccharina forest (IR.LIR.K.Lsac.Ft) to the south-west of Sgeir a’Phuirt is included 

in the mapping polygon in this location where this biotope formed a narrow band that 

bordered the sand. The map also includes interspersed examples of the mixed kelp biotope 

IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR. Neither kelp biotope is a component of the MPA search feature. 

Figure 19 Predicted distribution of kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment 

biotopes (SS.SMp.KSwSS) within the Sound of Canna 




The SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR biotope consisted of well-worked sand or muddy sand, 

sometimes with gravel mixed in, with scattered L. saccharina plants often accompanied by 

lugworm Arenicola marina mounds, pagurids and the burrowing anemone Cerianthus lloydii. 

Characteristic algae included Gracilaria gracilis, Desmarestia aculeata, Ceramium spp., 

Rhodophyllis divaricata, Acrosorium venulosum and Ulva spp.. The non-native algae 

Heterosiphonia japonica was also found. The goby Pomatoschistus sp., dragonet 

Callionymus sp. and crabs Cancer pagurus and Liocarcinus depurator were all frequent. 

The starfish Astropecten irregularis and Luidia ciliaris were seen at a number of sites. 

3.2.3 Maerl beds 

The following component biotope of the maerl beds MPA search feature was recorded in 

2010: 

 

Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds in infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand 


Distribution 



29

Description 

Maerl, Phymatolithon calcareum, was found on a gravel shelf below the kelp forest at Guirdil 

(Figure 20). It was mixed with large quantities of gravel, pebble and cobble and was not 

easy to spot on the video. The particle size analysis of the grab sample from this habitat 

(G22), at 20 m in the small bay at Guirdil, contained a considerable quantity of live maerl 

(Plate 6) as a component of the sand dominated mixed sediment (Figure 21). Fragments of 

live maerl were found in a second grab at 28 m (G23). 

Figure 20 Estimated area of maerl bed (SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal) off the coast of Rum at Guirdil, 

with individual records of maerl 




A dive at 22 m to the south-east of Guirdil (Site 14) found scattered maerl medallions 

amongst the gravel (Plate 7). The mearl bed is located on a glacial shelf feature which 

extends along the Rum shore and there may well be more maerl in places although none 

was found in 2010. There was a slight tidal stream along this coast. The bed of mixed 

substrates had waves of gravel and maerl evident in places. The substratum was heavily 

excavated by crabs and Cancer pagurus, Munida rugosa and Necora puber were frequent. 

It was noted that there were an unusually large number of small squat lobsters Galathea 

intermedia; these were visible on the video and were found to be abundant in the grab 

sample. 

The hydroids Nemertesia antennina and N. ramosa were conspicuous on the video footage 

and the dive records showed that several other hydroid species, including Halopteris 

catharina and Antennella secundaria, were present in small quantities. The anemone 

Epizoanthus couchii was found and the worms Lanice conchilega and Sabella pavonina 

were present in the sediment. Pecten maximus was occasional and there were barnacles 

Balanus crenatus and the tube worm Pomatoceros sp. encrusting stones. Scattered foliose 

red algae included Delesseria sanguinea, Kallymenia reniformis, Acrosorium uncinatum, 

30

Rhodophyllis werneri and Scinaia interrupta with encrusting calcareous and dark red algae 

on the pebbles. 

Plate 6 

Live maerl medallions (pink), interspersed with maerl gravel and red algae in the 

grab sample taken at Guirdil (G22), Sound of Canna 

Eighty-six taxa were recorded from the grab sample and a diversity index (H’) of 3.49 was 

calculated (Table A2.4, Appendix 2). The squat lobster Galathea intermedia was the 

dominant species, with 87 individuals recorded. The chiton Leptochiton asellus was 

common (22 individuals); two other chiton species were also found (Leptochiton cancellatus 

and Callochiton septemvalvis). 

Figure 21 Results of the particle size analysis of the maerl sediment sample taken at grab 

station G22, showing the percentage of each sediment category 

31

Plate 7 

Scattered maerl medallions amongst pebbles and cobbles at the southern edge 

of the Guirdil maerl bed, Sound of Canna 

Live, pink maerl 

medallions 

scattered on 

coarse mixed 

seabed 

sediments 

Other frequent species included the amphipods Iphimedia nexa, Ceradocus semiserratus, 

Maera othonis, Phtisica marina and an unidentified gammarid, the brittlestar Amphipholis 

squamata and the prawn Eualus pusiolus. The most numerous polychaetes found were 

Sphaerosyllis bulbosa, Aonides paucibranchiata, Polycirrus medusa, Trypanosyllis coeliaca, 

Hydroides norvegica and an unidentified polynoid. 

3.2.4 Northern sea fan and deep sponge communities 

The following component biotopes and species of the northern sea fan and deep sponge 

communities MPA search feature were recorded in 2010: 

 

 

 

Caryophyllia smithii and Swiftia pallida on circalittoral rock 

CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi 

Mixed turf of hydroids and large ascidians with Swiftia pallida and Caryophyllia smithii 

on weakly tide-swept circalittoral rock 

CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs 

Northern sea fan 

Swiftia pallida 

Distribution 

 

 

Depth range: CarSwi 46 - 220 m; SwiLgAs 24 - 34 m (limit of single dive record) 


Description 

The northern sea fan Swiftia pallida (Plate 8) was found on boulders and patches of bedrock 

on muddy sediment in deep water (CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi), and on steep and vertical rock 

(CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs). The main area of boulders with Swiftia (CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi) 

was off the eastern end of Sanday, with smaller boulder piles scattered throughout the area 

(Figure 22). Sublittoral cliffs around the east and south of Sanday and off An t-Each on the 

north-east of Canna were only partially surveyed. S. pallida was present at three locations 

around Sanday and is likely to be more widely distributed on these cliffs. It was reported 

from An t-Each by local divers although none was found during the survey. 

32

Plate 8 

A northern sea fan Swiftia pallida with a silty hydroid turf on vertical bedrock of 

the Great Wall of Canna 

Figure 22 Predicted distribution of northern sea fan biotopes in the Sound of Canna with 

individual records of Swiftia pallida 




Silty bedrock and boulders on the floor of the sound supported occasional S. pallida 

colonies. Other species that could be identified included the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii, 

often present in large numbers, dead men’s fingers Alcyonium digitatum, the anemones 

Parazoanthus anguicomus, Urticina felina and Metridium senile, axinellid sponges including 

33

Axinella infundibuliformis and possibly Phakellia ventilabrum, and the boring sponge Cliona 

celata. There were bryozoan crusts on rock surfaces, probably Parasmittina trispinosa and 

echinoderms were frequent including Echinus esculentus, Luidia ciliaris, Henricia sp. and 

occasionally Leptometra celtica. At a few sites where there was a significant tidal stream the 

jewel anemone Corynactis viridis covered the boulders. White clumps, thought to be 

colonies of the worm Salmacina dysteri, were frequently seen. 

Plate 9 Sponges, jewel anemones and bryozoans in the Swiftia pallida 

CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs biotope on the Great Wall of Canna 

The cliffs were surveyed in a few places by divers (see Figure 10) and Swiftia pallida was 

found below about 30 m depth (the CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs biotope was recorded at dive 

Site 2). The bedrock wall on the east of Sanday (Great Wall of Canna) had many small 

ledges, overhangs, fissures and crevices. Much of the rock surface was covered with 

Corynactis viridis (Plate 9) and a bryozoan turf, with Securiflustra securifrons common. 

There were frequent large colonies of Cliona celata and the hydroid Nemertesia antennina 

was common. Overhangs had scyphistomae, small hydroids and the anemones 

Epizoanthus couchii and Parazoanthus anguicomus (a PMF). Sagartia elegans was 

frequent on the open rock. The European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas, the lobster 

Homarus gammarus and the edible crab Cancer pagurus were all present. There were 

several axinellid sponge species from about 25 m downwards. 

Shallower rock on the cliffs above the Swiftia pallida biotope was dominated by Corynactis 

viridis with foliose red algae (CR.HCR.XFa.CvirCri) whilst in the areas of cliff exposed to 

stronger tides, S. pallida was absent and the hydroid Tubularia indivisa was common with 

C. viridis, sponges, bryozoan turf including Securiflustra securifrons and the white cluster 

anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus (CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt). It is probable that S. pallida is 

present in deeper water beyond diving depths along these more exposed stretches of cliff, 

possibly in lower abundance with increasing numbers of sponges (CR.HCR.DpSp). 

3.2.5 Seagrass beds 

The following component biotope of the seagrass beds MPA search feature was recorded in 

2010: 

34

Zostera marina/angustifolia beds on lower shore or infralittoral clean or muddy sand 


Distribution 

 

 

Depth range: Bay at An Coroghan, Canna 0 - 2 m; Kilmory Bay, Rum 4 - 6.5 m 

Total area: Bay at An Coroghan, Canna 0.68 ha; Kilmory Bay, Rum 0.25 ha 

Description 

Two small beds of the seagrass Zostera marina were found in the sound (Figure 23). The 

larger and shallower bed was in the bay at An Coroghan on Canna with a second smaller 

bed in Kilmory Bay on Rum (Plate 10). In both cases the substratum was fine sand (Figure 

24) and clumps of plants were generally rare to frequent. On Canna the highest density of 

plants was found on the northern edge of the bay. 

Figure 23 The two seagrass beds situated on opposite sides of the Sound of Canna with 

close-up inset maps of the bay at An Coroghan on Canna and Kilmory Bay on 

Rum 




The seagrass plants supported a number of epibiotic species including coralline crusts, the 

algae Ceramium secundatum and Nitophyllum punctatum, amphipods, the gastropod 

Lacuna vincta, the anemone Anemonia viridis and stalked jellyfish Lucernariopsis 

campanulata. The sand had occasional Cerianthus lloydii and Pagurus bernhardus with 

scattered clumps of filamentous brown algae and Ceramium sp. The green algae Ulva spp. 

and Enteromorpha spp. were frequent. In Kilmory Bay there were many Arenicola marina 

burrows and the fanworm Sabella pavonina was noted. 

35

Plate 10 

Zostera marina seagrass bed in the shallow sublittoral in Kilmory Bay, Rum 

The infaunal communities at the two sites had a relatively low diversity with mean Shannon- 

Wiener indices (H') of 2.07 for An Coroghan and 1.38 for Kilmory Bay (Table A2.4, 

Appendix 2). This compares with a value of 2.63 for a larger and more sheltered bed at Old 

House Point in Loch Ryan, south-west Scotland. The other infaunal communities in the 

Sound of Canna had considerably higher diversity. The number of infaunal species 

recorded from the An Coroghan samples ranged from 11 to 18, with the polychaete 

Magelona filiformis and the amphipod Corophium crassicorne dominant. The comparable 

figures for Kilmory Bay were 3 to 8 with low numbers of individuals and no clear dominant 

species. Whilst the communities had characteristics of the biotopes 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.FfabMag (An Coroghan) and SS.SSa.IFiSa.NcirBat (Kilmory Bay), they 

could also be considered to be part of the SS.SSa.IMuSa.EcorEns biotope; this can be 

regarded as a biotope complex encompassing both FfabMag and NcirBat. 

Figure 24 Results of particle size analysis of seagrass bed sediment samples, showing the 

percentage of each sediment category 

36

This is consistent with infaunal communities generally associated with a typical Zostera 

marina biotope. Therefore although there were significant differences between the two sites, 

the communities can be considered to be related and to represent different elements of a 

seagrass biotope complex. 

3.2.6 Northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata 

This MPA search feature has been assigned to the following provisional biotope for the 

purposes of this report: 

Aggregations of the northern feather star Leptometra celtica on mixed muddy 

sediments 


Distribution 

 

 



Description 

Aggregations of the northern feather star Leptometra celtica were found at five locations on 

the floor of the sound, with small numbers of individuals present at a number of additional 

sampling stations (Figure 25, Plate 11). 

Figure 25 Predicted distribution of northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata 

within the Sound of Canna with individual records of Leptometra celtica 




37

The largest area was situated to the south of Sanday. The substratum appeared to be a 

mixture of occasional boulders or small bedrock outcrops with some cobbles and shell on 

burrowed mud or muddy fine sand. There were generally more species present on the 

sediment surface than in the adjacent areas classified as burrowed mud 

(SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax). Species present included the rugose squat lobster Munida 

rugosa and edible crab Cancer pagurus with the burrowing anemones Cerianthus lloydii and 

Sagartiogeton laceratus common. Pagurus prideaux with Adamsia carciniopados were 

frequent and Pecten maximus, Neptunea antiqua, Echinus esculentus and Luidia ciliaris 

were seen. The more unusual northern species of Luidia starfish, L. sarsi was seen at two 

stations. Where there were boulders Caryophyllia smithii was invariably seen, Swiftia pallida 

was sometimes present and there were axinellid sponges, particularly Axinella 

infundibuliformis. Other species recorded included the bryozoan Porella compressa, 

hydroids Nemertesia antennina and the white cluster anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus. 

Species characteristic of the burrowed mud were also found such as the seapens Funiculina 

quadrangularis and Pennatula phosphorea. 

Plate 11 

Screen grabs from drop-down video footage of Leptometra celtica aggregations 

on mixed substrata in the Sound of Canna 

3.2.7 Fan mussel aggregations 

This MPA search feature has been assigned to the following provisional biotope for the 

purposes of this report: 

Aggregations of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis in poorly sorted mixed muddy 

sediments 


Distribution 

 

 

Description 



Fan mussels Atrina fragilis were recorded in the centre of the sound to the north-east of 

Sanday (Figure 26). They were in deep water, with no mussels found shallower than 100 m. 

The sediment was mostly very mixed muddy sand with cobbles, gravel, large amounts of 

shell debris and occasional boulders. One station (A79) with dense A. fragilis, had rippled 

sand with burrows. At some stations the shell debris consisted largely of Modiolus shells 

suggesting that there may be or had been a horse mussel bed in the vicinity. The density of 

38

the fan mussels ranged from an estimated 2 to 4 per m 2 in the densest patches, where 

mussels sometimes occurred in clumps, to widely scattered individuals (Plate 12, Figure 27). 

Figure 26 The predicted distribution of the fan mussel aggregation in the Sound of Canna 

showing individual records of Atrina fragilis 




Plate 12 

Screen grabs from drop-down video footage showing fan mussels on mixed 

muddy substrates in the Sound of Canna. Second image courtesy of Marine 

Scotland Science 

Live, fan mussels protruding slightly from the seabed, clearly distinguishable by the 

pale creamy / green coloured edge of the mantle visible between the slightly gaping 

shells. The fan mussels are adorned with dead man’s fingers, hydroids and brittlestars. 

39

A characteristic feature of the Atrina bed is that the mussels project from the sediment and 

provide attachment for other species. Many of the mussels supported tasselly sponges, 

dead man’s fingers Alcyonium digitatum and hydroids. The fanworm Sabella pavonina and 

colonies of the calcareous tubeworm Salmacina dysteri were frequent and burrowing 

anemones Cerianthus lloydii and Sagartiogeton laceratus were common. There were 

several species of crustacean seen, with the squat lobster Munida rugosa particularly 

numerous. Other species included Cancer pagurus, Inachus sp., Macropodia sp., Hyas 

araneus and Monodaeus couchi. Echinoderms on the mussels and sediment surface 

included Ophiocomina nigra, Ophiura ophiura, Luidia ciliaris, Porania pulvillus and Solaster 

endeca. Whelks Neptunea antiqua and Buccinum undatum and queen scallops 

Aequipecten opercularis were observed at many stations. 

Figure 27 The predicted extent of the fan mussel aggregation within the Sound of Canna 

illustrating areas of different Atrina fragilis density and outlying records 




3.2.8 Basking shark 

Basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus, are regular visitors to the Small Isles (Plate 13), with 

two areas around Canna and Hyskeir considered as ‘hotspots’ for the species (Speedie et 

al., 2009, Figure 28). Several basking sharks were seen in the sound during the survey 

team’s visits. Four sharks were seen feeding on the morning of the 7 th August around the 

south and east of Sanday. Two small sharks, probably juveniles, were seen feeding in 

Canna Harbour during the middle of the day on the 1 st September 2010. 

40

Plate 13 A small basking shark in Canna Harbour, 1 st September 2010 

Figure 28 Basking shark hotspots around Canna and Hyskeir (red hatch fill) within a 

proposed buffer zone (black hatch), from Speedie et al. (2009) 

© British Crown and Seazone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 032006.006. 

This product has been derived in part from material obtained from U.K. Hydrographic Office 

(www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 

3.2.9 European spiny lobster 

A single European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas was observed on the cliffs on the eastern 

tip of Sanday during the diving survey. P. elephas was also reported by local divers to be 

41

present on the reef to the north of Kilmory Bay but dives here did not reveal any suitable 

habitat. The species may well be present at other locations within the 2010 survey area. 

3.2.10 Other PMFs in the Sound of Canna 

A single Arachnanthus sarsi, a burrowing sea anemone, was seen on one of the video drops 

on muddy sand on the east coast of Canna (Figure 29). This is the area in which another 

individual A. sarsi was found during an SNH ROV survey in 1993. This PMF is considered 

to be an MPA search feature only when the species occurs in aggregations. 

The white cluster anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus, was found on much of the 

circalittoral rock in the sound and was common on the cliff sites surveyed by the divers 

(Figure 29). It was frequently associated with the northern sea fan and sponge communities 

MPA search feature. 

Figure 29 The distribution of other PMFs recorded during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 




3.3 Other seabed habitats and species of interest 

3.3.1 Offshore subtidal sands and gravels 

Offshore subtidal sands and gravels is a broad habitat identified as a MPA search feature 

and PMF in Scottish offshore waters (>12 nm from land). The following component biotope 

of this MPA search feature was found to be widespread within the Sound of Canna in 2010: 

 

Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in offshore circalittoral sand or muddy sand 

SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil 

42

Distribution 

 

 



Description 

The biotope was recorded from seven of the grab stations sampled (Figure 30). These 

samples had a rich fauna with a total of 194 species recorded, 63 of these occurring in three 

or more of the samples. The samples had a mean diversity index (H’) of 3.5 (Table A2.4, 

Appendix 2). The sediments were very mixed but were predominantly sand with 10 - 30 % 

mud (Figure 17, Section 3.2.1). 

Figure 30 The predicted distribution of the Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in 

offshore circalittoral sand or muddy sand biotope (SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil) in the 

Sound of Canna with grab sampling locations assigned to this biotope 




There is little information available for this biotope in the JNCC marine habitat classification 

(Connor et al., 2004) but it is described as follows - 

“Areas of slightly muddy sand (generally

The Sound of Canna samples matched this description well. They were dominated by the 

brittlestar Amphiura filiformis with several polychaetes common (Chaetozone species D, 

Spiophanes kroyeri, Polycirrus norvegicus, Owenia fusiformis, Pholoe inornata, Notomastus 

latericeus, Cirrophorus branchiatus, Lumbrineris gracilis and Galthowenia oculata). The 

anemone Edwardsia claparedii and an unidentified nemertean were also present in all the 

samples. A number of bivalves were present with Timoclea ovata and Thyasira flexuosa 

found in the majority of the samples. The sea cucumber Labidoplax buski was also present. 

3.3.2 Other species of interest 

The distribution of the species of interest outlined in this section, within the Sound of Canna 

in 2010, is given in Figure 31 (overleaf). 

 

 

Flame shells Limaria hians 

Several flame shells Limaria hians were found in two of the grab samples from the gravel 

shelf that runs along the eastern side of the sound (G23 and G24). This is a highly 

cryptic species which builds nests beneath the surface of gravel and is the basis of the 

flame shell bed (SS.SMx.IMx.Lim) MPA search feature and PMF. The biotope, which 

occurs in mixed muddy gravels and is often associated with maerl beds, is extremely 

difficult to identify from remote video. The presence of several live shells in two grabs 

approximately 2 km apart suggests that there could possibly be a bed of L. hians 

somewhere off the west coast of Rum. However, further survey work would be needed 

to confirm the existence of more than just scattered individuals of this species. 

Couch’s crab Monodaeus couchii 

This small xanthid (Plate 14) was found amongst shelly gravel and boulders at depths 

between 100 and 170 m, and appeared to be associated with the fan mussel beds. This 

species used to be found regularly in the Clyde but is now rarely seen (Prof. J. Atkinson, 

pers. comm.) and there are few recent British records. Its reported depth limit in inshore 

British waters is 183 m (Ingle, 1996). 

Plate 14 

Couch’s crab Monodaeus couchii from the Sound of Canna 

 

Stalked jellyfish Lucernariopsis campanulata 

This inconspicuous and infrequently recorded stalked jellyfish (JNCC, 2010) was 

observed during the diver sampling on seagrass and algal biotopes at two discrete 

locations (Sites 5 and 15; Figures 10 and 31). 

44

Figure 31 Other species of interest recorded in the Sound of Canna in 2010 




 

Cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali 

This holothurian (Plate 15) which was frequent on rock along the south of Sanday is a 

south-western species that appears to be becoming increasingly common on the west 

coast of Scotland. Its distribution within the Sound of Canna delimits the south-western 

extent of exposed infralittoral and circalittoral bedrock within the 2010 survey area. 

Plate 15 

Cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali in the Sound of Canna 

45

Northern species of starfish Luidia sarsi 

This species of Luidia is less common than the seven-armed Luidia ciliaris. It has a more 

northerly distribution from Norway to the Mediterranean, but it is only occasionally 

encountered in nearshore waters. 

Siphoned Japan weed Heterosiphonia japonica 

This is a non-native species of red alga, first recorded in the British Isles in 2001 in the 

Fal Estuary, Cornwall. Since then, it has spread around our coastline (Bunker et al., 

2010). There is one previous record of the species in the Small Isles, from the north 

shore of Eigg in 2009 (C. Moore pers. comm.). 

Wireweed Sargassum muticum 

Also of note, although outside the 2010 survey area, was an observation of Sargassum 

muticum growing next to the slipway in Loch Scresort on Rum. This brown, non-native 

species of algae, has been spreading up the west coasts of the British Isles and its 

presence has been confirmed at Tarskavaig in southern Skye, marginally further north 

than Loch Scresort. It may well occur further north than this although there are as yet no 

confirmed sightings. 

3.4 Refined predictive seabed biotope mapping for the Sound of Canna 

The distribution of MPA search features within the Sound of Canna is illustrated in Figure 32. 

Figure 32 The predicted distribution of MPA search features within the Sound of Canna 




It was not possible to correlate the infaunal biotopes (from grabs and diver cores) with those 

identified from the remote video sampling, so the MPA search features, which are based 

largely on epibenthic communities, have been used as the principal building blocks in the full 

46

coverage predictive biotope distribution map for the Sound of Canna (Figure 33). Similar 

biotopes have been combined for mapping purposes in a number of cases. For example, on 

the cliffs around Sanday it proved difficult to map the vertical zonation and so all of the 

biotopes recorded here were mapped as circalittoral rock. These rock walls were not 

investigated in detail due to the problems encountered whilst surveying with the ROVs. 

Some Phase 2 data were collected by divers but this only covered a small area and was 

depth limited. A topographic feature of note on the map is the area of bedrock and boulders 

on sediment to the south-east of Sanday (CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi and CR.LCR.BrAs). This 

is thought to be a glacial moraine deposit. 

Figure 33 Full coverage predictive epibenthic biotope map for the Sound of Canna. 

Biotopes follow Connor et al., 2004 




The 2010 survey data have refined the previous predictive seabed habitat map for the 

Sound of Canna produced by the HHOME project (Figure 5). The correlation between the 

2010 biotope data and the predictive HHOME mapping was variable and undoubtedly 

adversely affected by the previously poor charting of the area. However, a number of basic 

predictions held true including the likely distribution of kelp biotopes along the coastal 

margins of the islands, the presence of burrowed mud and muddy sand biotopes in the 

deepest parts of the sound and, most interestingly, the predicted distribution of a circalittoral 

faunal community with horse mussels interspersed with the muddy substrates in much the 

same area as the fan mussel aggregation. The original HHOME map was used as a guide 

in the production of the new map, particularly at the edges of the 2010 survey area. It is 

likely that the accuracy of the predictive biotope distribution mapping could be further 

improved with the incorporation of the new and highly detailed MCA bathymetric data for this 

area. 

47

Figure 34 presents a suggested distribution of the infaunal biotopes in a mapped format, 

providing supplementary information on the richness of the area. The polygons follow the 

epibenthic biotopes where possible but given the diversity of features within the sound, and 

the widely distributed nature of the grab samples, this mapping should be considered as 

illustrative only. 

Figure 34 Predicted distribution of infaunal biotopes within the Sound of Canna 




48

4 DISCUSSION 

This section presents an initial assessment of the biodiversity interests of the Sound of 

Canna against Stages 1 and 2 of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines (Marine Scotland, 

2011b). It is not appropriate to consider all of the guidelines within this report. Those 

requiring more detailed information on relevant activities and likely management issues have 

not been considered. The large-scale shelf deeps search feature has been excluded from 

this initial review pending analysis of recently acquired multibeam bathymetry data. 

4.1 Identification of MPA search locations 

The Stage 1 guidelines are intended to be applied to Broad Search Areas (e.g. sea lochs, 

groups of coastal islands or muddy sediment plains etc.) to identify search locations 

containing MPA search features. For an area to be identified as a search location and pass 

through to consideration at Stage 2, at least one of the Stage 1 guidelines must be met. The 

geographical scope of the 2010 project was determined on the basis of the presence and 

anticipated extent of the fan mussel aggregation recorded by MSS in 2009. For the 

purposes of this assessment the 2010 survey area was taken to represent a Broad Search 

Area. 

4.1.1 Presence of key features (MPA Guideline 1a) 

The Sound of Canna is a small but unusually diverse area which contains at least 10 MPA 

search features and two additional PMFs (Table 3). The MPA search features provide the 

basis for the biodiversity assessment under Guideline 1a (i.e. they are key features). The 

guideline recommends that consideration be given to features for which Scotland is a 

stronghold, those which are characteristic of Scotland’s marine environment and any which 

are of exceptional scientific importance. This section concentrates on the first two of these. 

The aggregation of fan mussels, Atrina fragilis, is of particular significance. The 2010 survey 

work revealed that this MPA search feature covered an area of at least 170 ha, with the 

northern extremity not found. The geomorphology of the Sound of Canna with glacial 

moraine and rock outcrops on the sides of an over-deepened channel (the shelf deeps 

search feature) is thought to have contributed to the protection of this species. Once 

widespread in Scotland it is now one of the most endangered molluscs in the British Isles 

(UK Biodiversity Group, 1999a). This is the largest known aggregation of fan mussels in UK 

waters. Video work showed that the fan mussels occurred as scattered individuals and as 

small clumps and that they supported a range of other species, considerably increasing the 

diversity of the biotope. The fan mussel aggregation showed similarities to a sparse horse 

mussel Modiolus modiolus bed (e.g. SS.SBR.SMus.ModMx). 

The burrowed mud search feature covered much of the floor of the sound with patches of 

seapens at low density, including the tall seapen Funiculina quadrangularis. There were 

large areas of seaweeds on shallow sediment along the coastal margins of the sound, 

particularly along the Canna shore (SS.SMp.KSwSS). 

A small bed of maerl Phymatolithon calcareum was recorded off the Rum coast at Guirdil. 

Northern sea fan communities were found on the cliffs around Sanday and on the deeper 

rock outcrops and morainic deposits. The sound supported excellent, biologically rich 

examples of this MPA search feature which is particularly characteristic of the west coast of 

Scotland. 

Two small beds of the seagrass Zostera marina were present on opposite sides of the sound 

and aggregations of the northern feather star Leptometra celtica were found on deep 

sediment at both entrances to the channel. 

49

Two highly mobile species search features were also recorded, with a single record of the 

European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas and basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus sighted 

on two occasions during the survey period. 

The Sound of Canna contains some of the most characteristic features of the Scottish 

marine environment. The Canna and Sanday cliffs support biotopes and species typical of 

the moderately exposed habitats found amongst the islands including northern sea fan 

communities and the white cluster anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus (a PMF but not an 

MPA search feature) whilst the burrowed mud is typical of more sheltered conditions and 

deeper water. Perhaps the only search features on the list which might no longer be 

considered typical of the Scottish marine environment are aggregations of fan mussels and 

the European spiny lobster, populations of which are thought to have been severely depleted 

by overfishing (Jackson et al., 2009). The remaining features encountered all have 

strongholds in Scotland. They divide into those which are largely confined to Scotland, 

including northern sea fan communities, northern feather star aggregations and the PMFs 

P. anguicomus and Arachnanthus sarsi and those which are more widely distributed but 

have a significant proportion of their records in Scotland such as maerl beds and kelps and 

seaweeds on sublittoral sediment. More detail on the distribution of these features can be 

found within the JNCC marine habitat classification (Connor et al., 2004). 

4.1.2 Features under threat or subject to rapid decline (MPA Guideline 1b) 

MPA guideline 1b specifically refers to those habitats and species on the OSPAR threatened 

and / or declining list (OSPAR, 2008). The guideline also indicates that consideration should 

be given to other MPA search features that occur in and are considered to be threatened 

and / or declining in Scottish waters. 

Decline or the threat of decline was one of the criteria used to help identify the Scottish 

PMFs (Howson et al., 2012). The MPA search features are primarily a subset of these and 

all those recorded within the Sound of Canna have therefore been subject to a national level 

assessment of the degree to which they have declined or the perceived level of threat to 

which they are exposed (see Table 4 and Howson et al., 2012 for more details). 

4.1.3 Functional significance of search features (MPA Guideline 1c) 

This guideline is applied to areas that whilst not necessarily containing key and / or 

threatened / declining features, do provide ecological resources or processes considered 

critical to the functioning of wider marine ecosystems (e.g. places for feeding, breeding, 

resting, nurseries, juveniles and / or spawning or sediment supply). This guideline is not 

applicable in the context of the seabed habitat focus of the 2010 survey work. 

4.1.4 Assessment against Stage 1 guidelines 

The assessment of the Sound of Canna 2010 survey area against the Stage 1 guidelines is 

summarised in Table 4. More than one guideline has been met (1a and 1b) and the area 

supports multiple MPA search feature interests so could be considered to represent an MPA 

search location (or part thereof). As highlighted in the Section 4.1, the survey area was 

originally identified for more detailed biological survey following the discovery of the fan 

mussel aggregation by MSS in 2009. What the Stage 1 guidelines do not do in isolation is to 

determine whether the search location or original Broad Search Area were of an appropriate 

or optimal geographical scale. This concept is explored in greater detail through a 

consideration of the qualities of the discrete habitats and species present; the application of 

the Stage 2 guidelines (see Section 4.2). 

50

Table 4 

Summary of the assessment of MPA search features found in the Sound of 

Canna in relation to Stage 1 of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines (Marine 

Scotland, 2011b). T&D denotes an MPA search feature listed on the OSPAR 

Threatened and / or Declining list (OSPAR Commission, 2008). 

The shelf deeps MPA search feature is not included in this assessment 

MPA search 

feature 

Component biotopes / 

species 

Presence of key features 

Scotland is a stronghold 

Characteristic 

of Scottish 

marine env. 

Threatened 

and / or 

declining in 

Scottish 

waters? 

Seabed habitats (with any component species) 

T&D 

Burrowed mud 

Kelp & seaweed 

communities on 

sublittoral sediment 

T&D 

Maerl beds 

Northern sea fan 

and sponge 

communities 

T&D 

Seagrass beds 

Seapens and burrowing megafauna 

in circalittoral fine mud 

(SS.SMu.CfiMu.SpnMeg[.Fun]) 

Burrowing megafauna and 

Maxmuelleria lankesteri in 

circalittoral mud 

(SS.SMu.CfiMu.MegMax) 

Tall seapen (Funiculina 

quadrangularis) 

Kelp and seaweed communities on 

sublittoral sediment 

(SS.SMp.KSwSS) 

Phymatolithon calcareum 

(SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal) 

Caryophyllia smithii and Swiftia 

pallida on circalittoral rock 

(CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi) 

Mixed turf of hydroids and large 

ascidians with Swiftia pallida and 

Caryophyllia smithii on weakly tideswept 


(CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs) 

Northern sea fan (Swiftia pallida) 

Zostera marina/angustifolia beds on 

lower shore or infralittoral clean or 

muddy sand (SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar) 


Northern feather 

star aggregations Leptometra celtica 

on mixed substrata 

Fan mussel 

Atrina fragilis 

aggregations 

Highly mobile species 

European spiny 

lobster 

Palinurus elephas 

Yes; majority of British 

records are in Scotland 

Yes; particularly common in 

Scotland although recorded 

all round British Isles 

Yes; found down entire west 

coasts of British Isles, but 

majority of beds are in 

Scotland. Scotland has 

about 30% of maerl beds in 

OSPAR area 

Yes; almost all UK records 

are in Scotland 

Yes; Scotland has about 

20% of seagrass beds in 

OSPAR region 

Yes; territorial waters 

records seem confined to 

Scotland 

Yes; largest confirmed 

record in UK waters 

Not currently, although 

approximately 30% of 

British records are from 

Scotland. Heavily 

overfished and now rarely 

found inshore in Scottish 

waters. Could be expected 

to increase with protection 

and warming seas 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

(historically) 

Yes 

(historically) 

T&D 

Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus Yes Yes 

Yes 

OSPAR T&D 

Yes 

Yes 

OSPAR T&D 

Yes 

Yes 

OSPAR T&D 

historical 

declines in 1920s 

& 1930s 

Yes 

Yes, severely 

declined 

Yes, severely 

declined 

Yes 

OSPAR T&D 

51

4.2 Qualities of the MPA search features 

The Stage 2 guidelines are used to prioritise between search locations, according to the 

qualities of the MPA search features within them. When undertaken at a holistic national 

scale the comparisons will have a regional dimension for the biodiversity features with more 

weight being given to search locations meeting a greater number of the guidelines under 

Stage 2. Search locations considered to contain unique or rare features may still pass 

through this stage because of the potentially valuable contribution that they could make to 

the MPA network. 

4.2.1 Search location contains combinations of features (MPA Guideline 2a) 

Guideline 2a seeks to determine whether a search location contains combinations of 

features and whether the features present are functionally linked (including a consideration 

of linkages between biodiversity and geodiversity features). 

Despite the small size of the survey area, the Sound of Canna is highly diverse with 10 

confirmed MPA search features recorded at a range of scales. This biological diversity is a 

result of the geomorphological composition of the area with its complex volcanic and glacial 

history giving rise to a range of environmental conditions. Physical features include a 

glacially over-deepened basin with steep, and in places rocky sides, moraines, a drowned 

wave-cut platform, small embayments and sublittoral basalt cliffs. The area is subject to 

grades of wave exposure ranging from the exposed south and south-west facing entrance of 

the sound to more sheltered northern coasts. There are moderate tidal streams around the 

headlands, along the cliffs and in parts of the deep channel but there is very little water 

movement in other parts of the 2010 survey area. 

The geomorphology is reminiscent of a sea loch, with an over-deepened basin behind a 

shallower sill created in part by moraines. As this lies across the south-west entrance to the 

channel, the shallow water will provide considerable shelter from the prevailing winds and 

seas to the deeper basin behind. This is reflected in the presence of the burrowed mud 

biotope SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax, often associated with sea lochs. The tiny holothurian 

Labidoplax media, which was present in the infaunal samples, is an uncommon species 

which is also more often found in very sheltered sea lochs such as Strangford Lough in 

Northern Ireland and Loch nam Madadh in the Western Isles. In contrast, the offshore 

subtidal sands and gravels, represented by the infaunal biotope SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil, is an 

open coast feature which physically overlaps the burrowed mud in the sound. 

Several of the MPA search features in the area have functional linkages (Lancaster et al., 

2012). European spiny lobsters Palinurus elephas are found within the northern sea fan 

biotopes. The white cluster anemone PMF is also associated with this biotope. There is 

also a clear association between the fan mussels Atrina fragilis and burrowed mud, as the 

latter contained fan mussels in many places and the two search features often graded into 

one another. Leptometra celtica aggregations were also found on the burrowed mud. The 

fan mussels provide some stability in the sediment whilst the bioturbation created by the 

megafaunal burrowers, who increase oxygen penetration into the sediment and enhance the 

ability of benthic systems to process organic matter, may increase the food supply for the 

suspension feeding fan mussels and feather stars. 

4.2.2 Search features with a high natural biological diversity (MPA Guideline 2b) 

The five seabed habitat search features recorded in the sound have high intrinsic natural 

diversity. They are all structurally complex, providing shelter for mobile and predatory 

species and substratum for attachment. 

52

The burrowed mud supported langoustine Nephrops norvegicus, a commercially important 

species which is fished in the area. The mud macro-infauna and meiofauna are important 

food sources for fish and crustaceans whilst the burrows of the larger crustaceans increase 

the habitat complexity, providing shelter for a number of other species. It proved impossible 

to correlate specific infaunal communities directly with the burrowed mud. The majority of 

the infaunal samples, which were actually either coarse sandy sediments beneath the 

muddy veneer (SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil) or sandy mud (SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit), were 

extremely diverse, with a large number of species and no clear dominants (Table A2.3, 

Appendix 2). Up to 92 taxa were recorded from a single grab and diversity indices 

calculated ranged from 2.88 to 3.5 (Shannon Wiener H’; Table A2.4, Appendix 2). Two 

exceptions were Station G01 which lay on the south-west edge of the survey area, just west 

of a large Leptometra celtica aggregation and G05, east of the Atrina fragilis aggregation. 

These samples were relatively depauperate with only 23 (G01) and 40 (G05) species 

recorded and diversity indices (H’) on the lower edge of the range at 2.9 and 2.88 

respectively. 

Kelp and seaweed communities on sediment play similar functional roles to seagrass beds 

as a significant source of particulate organic matter for filter feeders in other habitats. This 

search feature formed one of the more prolific mapping units within the 2010 survey area. 

These communities can be very diverse, supporting a large number of algal species as well 

as a rich infauna. However, only one site was surveyed by divers and no infaunal samples 

were collected so the information available on the flora and fauna is limited. 

The maerl bed consisted of maerl mixed with sand and shell gravel; the full extent of the bed 

was not determined but it is likely to be restricted to the slight embayment within which it was 

found, protected from disturbance by the adjacent rock and boulders. The bed was in 

relatively deep water (14 - 27 m) but the epiflora and fauna were diverse and typical of this 

habitat on the west coast of Scotland. Maerl beds support a highly diverse community with 

the lattice structure created by interlocking thalli providing a habitat for many species, a 

number of which are confined to maerl. The beds provide feeding areas for juvenile fish 

such as cod and act as important nursery areas for commercially valuable molluscs such as 

scallops (Pecten maximus and Aequipecten opercularis) and razor shells (Ensis spp.). The 

maerl infaunal community was one of the more diverse sampled in the sound, with 86 taxa 

recorded and a diversity index (H’) of 3.49 (Table A2.4, Appendix 2). 

The northern sea fan communities present on the cliffs around Sanday and on boulders and 

rock in the deep sound were comparatively rich examples of this habitat. A comparison with 

similar habitats in the Firth of Lorn (also surveyed by divers using Phase 2 techniques - 

Howson et al., 2006), indicated that around 25% more species were recorded from the 

Sound of Canna (39 to 46 species per station, total species number of 85, compared with 25 

to 30 per station and total number of 62 for the Firth of Lorn). However, it was not possible 

to survey the Canna cliffs in detail, with diving restricted to a small area. The scope of video 

sampling within this MPA search feature was also constrained by terrain and adverse 

weather conditions. 

Seagrass beds stabilise the sediment and are an important source of organic matter for 

other habitats. The two Zostera beds found in the Sound of Canna were very small and, 

although functionally important at a localised scale and for the diversity of the area as a 

whole, they were not particularly rich examples of this MPA search feature (H’ Canna 2.01; 

Rum 1.38). A total of 37 taxa (mean 15) was recorded from the Canna cores and 13 (mean 

4.6) from those taken within the Rum seagrass bed. The difference probably reflects the 

more exposed conditions of the bed in Kilmory Bay, Rum. 

Although the fan mussels were generally scattered, with individuals in the denser patches 

occurring at densities of between 1 - 4 m 2 , occasionally in clumps, it was clear from the 

53

video that the diversity was considerably higher amongst the fan mussels than in adjacent 

areas. The byssal threads stabilise the sediment and the mussels themselves supported 

additional epifaunal species such as sponges and hydroids which were not present on the 

surrounding sediment. This is structurally comparable with horse mussel beds supporting a 

low density of Modiolus modiolus. No infaunal samples were collected from the main fan 

mussel aggregation. 

4.2.3 Coherent examples of features (MPA Guideline 2c) 

Guideline 2c seeks to determine whether a search location contains coherent examples of 

features, rather than smaller, potentially more fragmented ones. 

Burrowed mud was the largest feature recorded in the survey area, covering ~1,292 ha 

within four mapping units across the centre of the sound. The kelp and seaweed 

communities on sublittoral sediment search feature (84 ha) was broken into six separate, 

fragmented patches in the nearshore areas on both sides of the sound, including one 

isolated patch on the south of Sanday. Similarly, the two seagrass beds found, which were 

both very small (

in areas where it is protected from seabed trawling activities, particularly for Nephrops 

norvegicus. Only scattered individuals of this species were found in the 2010 survey area. 

The species composition of the maerl bed at Guirdil was typical of similar habitats 

elsewhere. The infauna was particularly rich. There was no reason to think that the bed, 

situated in a small rocky embayment, had been disturbed in any way. The northern sea fan 

and sponge communities on the cliffs appeared undisturbed with a diverse flora and fauna 

(see Section 3.2.4). Sea fans Swiftia pallida were also seen in several deeper parts of the 

sound on isolated boulder piles. S. pallida and a number of other species in these 

communities, such as the branching sponges, are slow growing and long lived. It is thought 

that populations of S. pallida are self-sustaining due to the limited dispersal potential of their 

short-lived larvae (Hill et al., 2010). It is therefore probable that the populations of sea fans 

have been undisturbed for some time. 

The two seagrass beds found in the area were small and not biologically diverse, with the 

Zostera marina plants occurring as scattered clumps rather than a dense sward. The area 

of suitable habitat was restricted and, although it is possible that the beds may at one time 

have been larger and denser, this seems unlikely. Given their location in shallow bays they 

may be exposed to damage from anchoring but there is only a low level of boat traffic in the 

sound. 

Little is known about the expected composition and longevity of northern feather star 

aggregations. This large feather star is mobile but unlikely to travel any great distance. 

Aggregations may be the result of a single settlement event or they may be self-sustaining. 

Regardless, the fragile nature of the species suggests that areas supporting these 

aggregations are relatively undisturbed - they would certainly be sensitive to trawling for 

Nephrops norvegicus. 

The fan mussels were first recorded during routine MSS monitoring of the licensed dredge 

spoil site in 2009. There has been no spoil disposal here for several years but if further 

dredging were required in the harbour, an alternative disposal site should be selected. Due 

to the rarity of the fan mussel biotope, there is no readily available information on its 

expected composition. Historical records suggest that Atrina fragilis was often found in 

clumps (Jeffreys, 1863), as seen in the Sound of Canna in 2010. The best source of 

information as to the expected composition of a fan mussel bed might be to consider the 

fauna of a horse mussel Modiolus modiolus bed, although there are relatively few such open 

coast beds in Scotland. The considerable depth of the Sound of Canna fan mussels (102 - 

274 m) allows for comparison with shallower horse mussel beds in more sheltered locations. 

A review by Lancaster et al. (2012) notes that dense M. modiolus beds can support a rich 

epifauna dominated by a wide diversity of hydroids, ascidians and ophiuroids, as well as 

mobile species such as decapods. It was clear from the video that the fan mussels 

supported a much wider range of species than were present on the surrounding sediment, 

with sponges, ophiuroids and crustaceans particularly apparent. It is highly probable that the 

fan mussel aggregation is both natural and largely undisturbed. A better description of the 

community composition than can be obtained from video footage is highly desirable; but this 

could be only be achieved destructively by sampling a very small area with a biological 

dredge. 

Muddy sand and gravel along the eastern side of the sound, adjacent to the area where 

small numbers of individual flame shells Limaria hians were recorded, was superficially 

depauperate on the basis of the video footage. However, this area produced the most 

diverse of the infaunal samples (G21) with 90 taxa recorded and a diversity index of 4.15. In 

contrast, the infaunal sample from the muddy sand on the south of Sanday (G01), an area 

which also appeared potentially modified from the video, was depauperate when compared 

to the rest of the sound. Only 23 taxa were recorded from this station and the diversity index 

55

was 2.9, one of the lowest calculated. It was close to this area, outside the glacial moraine, 

that a trawler was seen working during the final fieldwork period. 

4.2.5 Assessment against Stage 2 guidelines 

The assessment of the Sound of Canna search location against the Stage 2 guidelines is 

summarised in Table 5. 

Table 5 Summary of the assessment of the Sound of Canna search location (the 2010 

survey area) against Stage 2 of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines (Marine 

Scotland, 2011b) 

The shelf deeps large-scale feature is not considered within this table. The European spiny lobster 

and basking shark mobile species interests are not considered against Guidelines 2b - 2d 

Guideline 

Guideline 2a: 

Combinations of 

features 

Guideline 2b: 

Features with high 

natural biological 

diversity 

Guideline 2c: 

Coherent examples 

of features 

Guideline 2d: 

Least damaged / 

more natural features 

Summary assessment conclusions 

Ten MPA search features present. High diversity for a small area. Functional 

linkages between several of the features. Biodiversity presence linked to localised 

geodiversity. The fan mussel aggregation is considered rare. 

Burrowed mud - complex structure, underlying sediments highly diverse. 

Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment - not particularly diverse. 

Maerl bed - mixed with gravel in a narrow band, epifauna / flora diverse but not 

exceptional. Infauna very diverse. 

Northern sea fan and sponge communities - very diverse. 

Seagrass beds - very small and of low biological diversity. 

Northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata - diversity not assessed but 

appeared low. 

Fan mussel aggregations - form patchy biogenic reef similar to horse mussel beds 

and are highly diverse. 

Unfragmented features: Maerl bed; northern sea fan and sponge communities; fan 

mussel aggregation. 

Slightly fragmented features: Burrowed mud; northern feather star aggregations; 

seagrass beds. 

Fragmented features: Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment. 

Most natural features: Maerl bed; northern sea fan and sponge communities; 

seagrass beds; northern feather star aggregations; fan mussel aggregations. 

Undisturbed in parts: Burrowed mud. 

The Stage 2 guidelines are designed to prioritise between search locations according to the 

qualities of the MPA search features present. The Sound of Canna is not being compared or 

prioritised against other search locations within the West Scotland MPA region as part of this 

project but it is clear that aspects of guidelines 2a - 2d have been met. 

Assessment against the Stage 1 and 2 guidelines (summarised in Table 6 overleaf) 

highlights the following MPA search features as of primary biodiversity importance within the 

Sound of Canna: 

 

 

 

 

Fan mussel aggregations 

Burrowed mud 

Northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata 

Northern sea fan and sponge communities 

56

Table 6 

Summary of a preliminary assessment of the 2010 Sound of Canna survey area against Stages 1 and 2 of the Scottish MPA 

Selection Guidelines 

The shelf deeps large-scale feature is not considered within this table 

MPA search feature Guideline 1 - Scottish importance Guideline 2 - Qualities 

Seabed habitats (with any component species) 

Burrowed mud 

Kelp and seaweed communities 

on sublittoral sediment 

Maerl beds 

Northern sea fan and sponge 

communities 

Majority of British records are in Scotland; characteristic of Scottish marine 

environment. An OSPAR T&D habitat in Scottish waters. 

Particularly common in Scotland although recorded all round British Isles; 

characteristic of Scottish marine environment. Threatened and declining in 

Scottish waters. 

Found down entire west coasts of British Isles, but majority of beds are in 

Scotland (characteristic). Scotland has about 30% of maerl beds in OSPAR 

area. An OSPAR T&D habitat in Scottish waters. 

Almost all UK records are in Scotland (characteristic). 

Intrinsically diverse habitat. Several large habitat units within site; large parts 

of habitat probably very undisturbed although may be trawled down eastern 

side of the sound and south of Sanday. 

Habitat examples sampled in 2010 were unexceptional. Several large habitat 

units within site. Probably mostly undisturbed although some of eastern 

sections may be exposed to fishing activity. 

Intrinsically diverse habitat. This maerl bed is mixed with gravel. It is small, 

forming a narrow band; epibiota diverse but not exceptional. Very diverse 

infauna. Full extent not certain. 

Northern sea fan communities & associated circalittoral rock very diverse. 

Large coherent habitat units. Considered undisturbed and natural. 

Seagrass beds 


Northern feather star 

aggregations on mixed 

substrata 

Fan mussel aggregations 

Highly mobile species 

European spiny lobster, 

Palinurus elephas 

Basking shark, Cetorhinus 

maximus 

Scotland has about 20% of seagrass beds in OSPAR region (characteristic). 

An OSPAR T&D habitat in Scottish waters. 

Inshore records appear confined to Scotland (characteristic). Threatened 

and declining in Scottish waters. 

Largest known record in UK waters. Threatened and severely declined in 

Scottish waters. Linkage to geodiversity features within the sound. 

Approximately 30% of British records are from Scotland (characteristic) (NBN 

database). Threatened and severely declined in Scottish waters. 

A cosmopolitan migratory species usually sighted in summer along the west 

coasts of the British Isles including western Scotland. Movements are 

thought to be migratory and in response to their zooplankton food source. 

Recent effort-corrected data shows populations in Scottish waters could be 

greater than in other parts of the UK (Speedie et al. 2009). An OSPAR T&D 

species in Scottish waters. 

The two beds recorded were very small, patchy and of low biological diversity. 

Likely to be entirely natural. 

Diversity of habitat is unclear. One large habitat unit with a few smaller 

patches. Assumed to be highly natural. 

Fan mussels form a patchy biogenic reef and the habitat was surprisingly 

diverse. One large unit with occasional fan mussels over wider area. 

Assumption that this is a very natural if rarely encountered feature, despite past 

spoil dumping. Linkage to geodiversity features of interest within the sound. 

Component species of diverse habitat. Only one individual seen during survey 

but reported to be present at other locations within the sound. 

It is not possible to comment on the qualities of this species on the basis of the 

2010 seabed habitat survey. 

57

5 CONCLUSIONS 

5.1 The nature conservation importance of the Sound of Canna 

As part of the first national application of the MPA Selection Guidelines at the end of 2011, 

SNH and JNCC will develop their thinking regarding how best to balance the relative 

contributions of different potential areas to ensure that those selected collectively make the 

best contribution to the protected areas network of MPAs. Where two or more areas could 

make an equivalent contribution to the network, socio-economic factors may be taken into 

consideration. Of the six aspects to consider when assessing the potential contribution of an 

MPA search location to the protected area network (Marine Scotland, 2011b) only elements 

of feature ‘representation’, ‘replication’ and ‘range and geographic variation’ are touched 

upon here. 

The marine protected area network in Scotland currently comprises: 35 Special Areas of 

Conservation (SAC); 30 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under the EC Birds 

Directive to protect wild bird populations of European importance; 54 Special Sites of 

Scientific Interest (SSSI) with marine components (primarily intertidal); and, 6 areas with 

fisheries restrictions in place for nature conservation purposes. 

A number of the MPA search features recorded in the Sound of Canna are represented to 

some degree within the existing marine SAC series. Aggregations of fan mussels are the 

one obvious exception; this species is not currently encompassed by any protected area in 

Scottish waters. The aggregation recorded within the Sound of Canna is believed to 

represent the largest known population in UK waters and the inclusion of this interest within 

a Nature Conservation MPA could consequently make a significant contribution to the 

network. Burrowed mud is only afforded formal nature conservation protection in two west 

coast SACs (Loch Laxford SAC and Loch nam Madadh SAC), as a component of the ‘large 

shallow inlets and bays’ feature (Carruthers et al., 2011), despite being one of the major 

seabed habitats in Scottish coastal waters (significant areas of this habitat are also present 

in offshore waters on the east coast). Northern sea fan and sponge communities are 

proportionally well protected in a number of SACs (e.g. Firth of Lorn, St Kilda, Loch nam 

Madadh and Loch Sunart) but those in the Sound of Canna are considered to represent high 

quality, biologically diverse examples covering a large well defined area. Northern feather 

star aggregations on mixed substrata are afforded protection within the Loch Laxford SAC, 

as a component of the ‘large shallow inlets and bays’ feature, and they are known to be 

present but not as qualifying features, within Loch Sunart and Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh. 

Seagrass beds are already quite well represented within the protected areas network and 

the beds in the Sound of Canna are very small so they would not make a significant 

additional contribution to the network. Similarly, extensive maerl beds are already protected 

in the Sound of Arisaig and Loch nam Madadh SACs and the bed in the Sound of Canna is 

very small relative to these. 

A Nature Conservation MPA based around the Sound of Canna could ensure the 

representation of the fan mussel aggregations MPA search feature. It would also provide 

the basis for replication of a number of other features and improve the current range and 

geographic variation in the protection of these. 

Two areas around Canna and Hyskeir are considered ‘hotspots’ for basking sharks 

Cetorhinus maximus (Speedie et al., 2009, Figure 28). To date, protected areas have not 

been established in Scottish waters to conserve basking sharks and so the inclusion of this 

search feature within a Nature Conservation MPA could make a significant contribution to 

the MPA network. However, the size of any area of protection, if it were to include this 

feature, would need careful consideration. 

58

5.2 Future data review and biological survey work around the Sound of Canna 

It is recommended that the new MCA multibeam dataset covering waters around Canna and 

Rum is processed and used to refine the mapping of the large-scale shelf deeps search 

feature and to inform the design of any further marine biological survey work. 

The fan mussel Atrina fragilis aggregation was the primary driver for the 2010 targeted 

survey. Afforded protection by geological features such as the glacial moraine off Sanday 

and bedrock outcrops on the sides of the over-deepened channel, the fan mussels continued 

beyond the 2010 survey area with the northern extremity not determined. Further survey 

work is therefore recommended to ascertain the full extent of this feature and to provide 

detail on the fauna associated with this biotope. 

A programme of additional survey work could also usefully determine whether a flame shell 

bed is present at Guirdil off the west coast of Rum, and the full extent of the maerl bed 

recorded at this location in 2010. Opportunistic diver or ROV sampling of the deep 

circalittoral cliffs to the south-east of Canna would help to clarify the extent of the northern 

sea fan biotope(s) and determine whether these do indeed give way to the sponge 

dominated CR.HCR.DpSp biotope (another component biotope of this MPA search feature). 

Sampling outwith the sound could ascertain the nature of the seabed within the area of shelf 

deeps to the north, the basking shark hotspots to the west of Canna and around Hyskeir and 

possibly also within the wider ‘management zone’ for this species proposed within Speedie 

et al., (2009). This work could take the form of a low intensity remote video sampling 

programme. The possible extents of new survey work are illustrated on Figure 35. 

Figure 35 Suggested area for data processing and additional marine biological survey work 

around Canna and Rum 




59

6 REFERENCES 

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seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Ross-on-Wye, Marine Conservation Society. 

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bicolor Gmelin and Pinna nobilis Linnaeus. Marine Life, 3: 37-45. 

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Oates, J., Steel, L., and Wilson, E. (2011). Contribution of existing protected areas to 

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Ingle, R.W. (1996). Shallow-water crabs. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) 

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Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (2011). Priority marine features in Scottish offshore 

waters. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 

Lancaster, J. (Ed), McCallum, S., Lowe A.C., Taylor, E., Chapman A. and Pomfret, J. (to be 

published 2012). Development of Detailed Ecological Guidance to support the 

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Marine Scotland (2011b). Marine Protected Areas in the Seas around Scotland. Guidelines 

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growth rate and season of recruitment of Pinna nobilis (L) in the Croatian Adriatic 

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61

Speedie, C.D., Johnson, L.A. and Witt, M.J. (2009). Basking Shark Hotspots on the West 

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62

Appendix 1 

Drop-down video and diver sampling station details with 

associated data - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Table A1.1 

Table A1.2 

Table A1.3 

Positional and depth information for all 2010 Sound of Canna drop-down 

video and diver sampling stations, with biotope assignments and alignment to 

MPA search features / PMFs 

Summary notes (biological community present, substrates etc.) for individual 

drop-down video samples collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Summary of sampling undertaken at each diving location surveyed during the 


Table A1.4 Brief habitat descriptions from the MNCR-style Phase 2 diving studies - 2010 

Sound of Canna survey 

Table A1.5 Species recorded (matrix format) during the shallow water video sampling - 


Table A1.6 Species recorded (matrix format) during the deep water video sampling - 


Table A1.7 

Species recorded (matrix format) during the diver sampling - 2010 Sound of 

Canna survey 

63

Table A1.1 

Positional and depth information for all 2010 Sound of Canna drop-down 

video and diver sampling stations, with biotope assignments and alignment to 

MPA search features / PMFs 

Date Station Time Latitude Longitude Depth bcd Biotope MPA SF / PMF 

26/09/10 DD1_1.1 11:21 57.0534 -6.51529 2.0 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 

26/09/10 DD1_1.1 11:24 57.0532 -6.51449 3.0 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 

26/09/10 DD1_2 10:40 57.0545 -6.53408 4.4 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt 

26/09/10 DD1_2 10:43 57.0542 -6.53138 6.3 SS.SSa.IMuSa.AreISa 

26/09/10 DD1_2 57.0543 -6.53224 6.3 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt 

26/09/10 DD1_2.2 11:08 57.0553 -6.53379 1.3 SS.SSa.IMuSa.AreISa 

26/09/10 DD1_3 10:58 57.0532 -6.5301 7.4 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

26/09/10 DD1_3 11:01 57.0528 -6.52925 7.4 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

26/09/10 DD1_4 11:51 57.0471 -6.52475 20.1 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 


26/09/10 DD1_5.1 11:29 57.0523 -6.51977 8.0 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt 

26/09/10 DD1_5.1 11:34 57.0517 -6.51952 9.2 IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR 

26/09/10 DD1_5.2 11:36 57.0475 -6.51948 11 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

26/09/10 DD1_5.2 57.0478 -6.52009 14.2 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

Kelp and 

seaweed 

communities 

26/09/10 DD1_5.2 11:44 57.0486 -6.52208 16.2 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 

26/09/10 DD1_7.1 12:02 57.0434 -6.52323 25 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 

26/09/10 DD1_7.1 12:04 57.0429 -6.52248 40 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 

26/09/10 DD1_7.2 12:11 57.0428 -6.51134 22 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Adig 





26/09/10 DD1_9 12:40 57.0425 -6.50303 37.7 SS.SCS.CCS.PomB 

26/09/10 DD1_10 57.042 -6.50155 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

26/09/10 DD1_12.1 12:52 57.0431 -6.48703 15.0 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk 


26/09/10 DD1_12.2 13:07 57.0433 -6.48491 11.5 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft 



26/09/10 DD1_13.1 13:20 57.0413 -6.47111 23.4 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

26/09/10 DD1_15.1 13:07 57.0587 -6.48894 1.3 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Seagrass beds 


26/09/10 DD1_15.2 13:14 57.0584 -6.48744 7.4 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 


26/09/10 DD1_15.3 13:21 57.0588 -6.48811 4.4 IR.LIR.K.Lsac 

26/09/10 DD1_15.3 13:26 57.0587 -6.48766 4.4 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 


seaweed 

communities 

26/09/10 DD1_16.1 13:27 57.0554 -6.486 3.6 SS.SMu.ISaMu 

26/09/10 DD1_16.1 13:31 57.0554 -6.48626 13.4 SS.SMu.ISaMu 

26/09/10 DD1_16.2 14:20 57.0553 -6.4802 29.3 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 

26/09/10 DD1_16.2 14:32 57.0556 -6.47817 41.3 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 

26/09/10 DD1_17.1 14:41 57.0518 -6.48047 3.6 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac.Ft 

26/09/10 DD1_17.1 14:43 57.0519 -6.48002 3.6 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac.Ft 

26/09/10 DD1_17.2 14:46 57.0519 -6.48197 10.0 IR.LIR.K.Lsac 



seaweed 

communities 



seaweed 

communities 

64


26/09/10 DD1_17.3 15:02 57.052 -6.47517 13.0 IR.LIR.K.Lsac 


26/09/10 DD1_18.1 15:15 57.0505 -6.47066 19.4 SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa 

26/09/10 DD1_18.2 15:18 57.0506 -6.47126 12.0 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft 

26/09/10 DD1_18.2 15:26 57.0506 -6.46943 14.4 SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa 


26/09/10 DD1_18.3 57.0492 -6.46393 12.0 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft 

26/09/10 DD1_18.3 15:49 57.0486 -6.46091 41.5 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 

26/09/10 DD1_20.1 12:45 57.0607 -6.48615 28.5 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

26/09/10 DD1_20.1 12:52 57.0606 -6.48559 30.5 SS.SSa.CMuSa 



26/09/10 DD1_21.1 12:21 57.0654 -6.48344 15.0 SS.SCS.ICS 

26/09/10 DD1_21.1 12:24 57.0654 -6.48288 SS.SCS.CCS 

26/09/10 DD1_21.2 12:30 57.0643 -6.48447 15.0 SS.SCS.ICS 

26/09/10 DD1_21.2 12:35 57.0642 -6.48379 28.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 

26/09/10 DD1_22 12:05 57.068 -6.48486 10.7 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

26/09/10 DD1_22 12:08 57.0679 -6.48451 10.7 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

26/09/10 DD1_22.1 12:12 57.0675 -6.48554 4.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

26/09/10 DD1_22.1 12:15 57.0674 -6.485 4.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

26/09/10 DD1_23 14:53 57.0122 -6.46207 25.2 CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia 

26/09/10 DD1_23 15:00 57.0134 -6.4619 33.2 CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia 









26/09/10 DD1_27 13:34 57.0159 -6.43928 2.7 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft 



26/09/10 DD1_28 57.0181 -6.44579 18.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 

26/09/10 DD1_28 13:49 57.0177 -6.44597 18.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk 





26/09/10 DD1_32 12:58 57.0309 -6.42175 22 SS.SCS.CCS 

26/09/10 DD1_32 13:03 57.032 -6.42225 26 SS.SCS.CCS 

26/09/10 DD1_33 12:54 57.0283 -6.41901 7 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

26/09/10 DD1_33 12:58 57.0287 -6.41927 9 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

26/09/10 DD1_35 12:10 57.0361 -6.41017 10.3 IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR 


21/09/10 DD1_36 12:40 57.0365 -6.41449 17.2 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 


21/09/10 DD1_36 12:37 57.0365 -6.41538 24.2 SS.SCS.CCS 

21/09/10 DD1_37 12:42 57.0366 -6.41723 43.1 SS.SCS.CCS 


seaweed 

communities 


seaweed 

communities 

Arachnanthus 

sarsi 


seaweed 

communities 


seaweed 

communities 

65


21/09/10 DD1_38 11:43 57.0452 -6.39976 23.5 SS.SCS.CCS 

21/09/10 DD1_38 11:48 57.045 -6.40109 28.5 SS.SCS.CCS 




21/09/10 DD1_40 11:38 57.0454 -6.39379 12.6 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk 



21/09/10 DD1_44.1 10:55 57.0562 -6.36562 3.8 IR.HIR.KSed.LsacSac 



seaweed 

communities 

21/09/10 DD1_45.1 10:04 57.0636 -6.34622 21 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

21/09/10 DD1_45.1 10:07 57.064 -6.3473 21 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

21/09/10 DD1_46 10:26 57.0531 -6.3551 2.4 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Seagrass beds 

21/09/10 DD1_46 57.0533 -6.3554 2.4 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Seagrass beds 

21/09/10 DD1_46 10:36 57.0529 -6.35365 7.9 SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa 

21/09/10 DD1_46 10:37 57.0542 -6.35658 7.9 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 


21/09/10 DD1_46.2 17:05 57.0528 -6.35349 2.2 SS.SSa.IFiSa 


21/09/10 DD1_46.3 57.0541 -6.354 5.5 SS.SSa.IFiSa 

21/09/10 DD1_46.3 17:20 57.0538 -6.35563 6.3 SS.SSa.IFiSa 

21/09/10 DD1_46.4 17:24 57.0532 -6.35581 4.0 SS.SSa.IFiSa 



21/09/10 DD1_46.4 57.0539 -6.35335 4.7 SS.SSa.IFiSa 



seaweed 

communities 



seaweed 

communities 

21/09/10 M01 16:47:36 57.0291 -6.42647 18.2 SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal Maerl beds 









21/09/10 M01 16:52:06 57.02898 -6.4262 15.7 IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 



21/09/10 M02 16:57:22 57.02845 -6.42952 20.8 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 












66
























































67













21/09/10 A12 13:08:12 57.0531 -6.45745 179.2 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 





21/09/10 A12 13:10:42 57.05332 -6.45637 199.7 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 





21/09/10 A12 13:13:12 57.05357 -6.45558 208.5 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag Atrina fragilis 






























21/09/10 A12 13:28:14 57.05488 -6.45108 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag Atrina fragilis 



68
























































69
























































70










21/09/10 A66 09:29:58 57.04923 -6.44687 232.3 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:30:28 57.04937 -6.44685 232.5 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:30:58 57.0495 -6.44688 232.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:31:28 57.04965 -6.44685 232.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:31:58 57.0498 -6.44682 232.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:32:28 57.04993 -6.44683 232.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:32:58 57.05008 -6.44683 232.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:33:28 57.05022 -6.44683 232.5 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:33:58 57.05027 -6.4469 232.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:34:28 57.05037 -6.44687 232.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:34:58 57.0505 -6.4468 231.7 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A66 09:35:28 57.05062 -6.4468 231.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 



































71





















22/09/10 A120 17:34:10 57.06102 -6.45003 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 













26/09/10 A123 17:12:42 57.05963 -6.44467 174.7 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 





26/09/10 A124 10:14:36 57.06742 -6.48162 81.9 SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 













21/09/10 A124 10:21:06 57.0672 -6.47967 106.6 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi 


Northern sea 

fan / sponge 

communities 


fan / sponge 

communities 

72



21/09/10 A124 10:22:06 57.06717 -6.47918 108.6 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi fan / sponge 

communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 

21/09/10 A124 10:25:06 57.06705 -6.47827 118.3 SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt 

Leptometra 

celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 

21/09/10 A125 10:51:28 57.06712 -6.47718 125.1 SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx 






























73









































26/09/10 A128 15:24:42 57.06552 -6.46613 95.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A128 15:25:12 57.0656 -6.46613 95.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A128 15:25:42 57.0657 -6.46613 95.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A128 15:26:12 57.0658 -6.46615 95.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A128 15:26:42 57.06588 -6.46613 95.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 










celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 

74
















26/09/10 A131 09:01:36 57.0684 -6.44178 114.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A131 09:02:06 57.06852 -6.44188 111.3 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A131 09:02:36 57.0686 -6.44197 107.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A131 09:03:06 57.0687 -6.44203 103.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A131 09:03:36 57.0688 -6.44212 100.9 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:04:06 57.06888 -6.44218 99.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:04:36 57.06898 -6.44227 98.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:05:06 57.06907 -6.44235 99.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:05:36 57.06917 -6.44245 97.6 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:06:06 57.06923 -6.44255 97.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A131 09:06:36 57.06932 -6.44265 98.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A132 14:40:08 57.064 -6.4285 181.3 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

26/09/10 A132 14:40:38 57.0639 -6.42847 181.1 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:41:08 57.06388 -6.42823 180.7 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:41:38 57.0638 -6.42807 179.9 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:42:08 57.06372 -6.42795 179.8 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:42:38 57.06368 -6.42775 178.0 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:43:08 57.0636 -6.42767 177.5 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:43:38 57.06352 -6.42745 176.1 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A132 14:44:08 57.06343 -6.42737 176.1 SS.SSa.CMuSa 

24/09/10 A135 09:52:40 57.05845 -6.46785 77.7 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

24/09/10 A135 09:53:10 57.05847 -6.4679 77.9 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

24/09/10 A135 09:53:40 57.05848 -6.4679 77.9 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:54:10 57.05853 -6.4679 78.0 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:54:40 57.05855 -6.4679 78.1 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:55:10 57.05862 -6.46775 78.3 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:55:40 57.05868 -6.46757 78.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:56:10 57.05872 -6.46738 78.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:56:40 57.05875 -6.46717 78.9 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:57:10 57.05878 -6.46687 79.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:57:40 57.05883 -6.46662 79.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:58:10 57.05888 -6.46635 79.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:58:40 57.05892 -6.46618 79.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:59:10 57.05897 -6.46612 79.7 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 09:59:40 57.05902 -6.46612 80.0 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:00:10 57.05903 -6.46612 79.9 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:00:40 57.05905 -6.46615 80.1 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:01:10 57.0591 -6.46605 80.0 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:01:40 57.05918 -6.46567 78.0 SS.SMu.CSaMu 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 

75


26/09/10 A135 10:02:10 57.05925 -6.46527 75.5 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:02:40 57.05927 -6.46502 73.8 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

26/09/10 A135 10:03:10 57.05928 -6.46487 73.0 SS.SMu.CSaMu 




















































76




































26/09/10 A141 10:19:50 57.0622 -6.41873 102.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 


celtica agg. 

26/09/10 A141 10:20:20 57.06227 -6.41865 102.6 SS.SMu.CSaMu 


celtica agg. 

26/09/10 A141 10:20:50 57.06237 -6.41857 103.5 SS.SMu.CSaMu 


celtica agg. 








26/09/10 A141 10:24:50 57.06288 -6.4182 102.3 SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun 

Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 

quadrangularis 




26/09/10 A141 10:26:50 57.0631 -6.41807 104.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A141 10:27:20 57.0632 -6.41798 105.9 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A141 10:27:50 57.06328 -6.41792 108.9 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A141 10:28:20 57.06337 -6.41782 112.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

77


26/09/10 A141 10:28:50 57.06345 -6.41768 116.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A141 10:29:20 57.06353 -6.41758 120.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A143 14:56:50 57.06165 -6.40325 90.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:57:20 57.06153 -6.40313 87.7 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:57:50 57.06145 -6.40297 85.2 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:58:20 57.06135 -6.40282 82.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:58:50 57.06127 -6.40265 79.9 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:59:20 57.06118 -6.40248 77.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 14:59:50 57.06108 -6.40233 75.2 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 15:00:20 57.06098 -6.40218 73.6 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 15:00:50 57.06085 -6.40208 71.0 SS.SMx.CMx 

26/09/10 A143 15:01:20 57.06073 -6.40182 68.9 SS.SMx.CMx 











































78






24/09/10 A149 11:44:28 57.05187 -6.46622 36.5 CR.HCR.XFa.CvirCri 













































Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 


fan / sponge 

communities 


fan / sponge 

communities 


fan / sponge 

communities 


fan / sponge 

communities 

79






















21/09/10 A155 15:24:52 57.05798 -6.39367 58.6 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:25:22 57.05802 -6.39357 57.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:25:52 57.05803 -6.39343 55.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 

21/09/10 A155 15:26:22 57.05807 -6.39332 55.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:26:52 57.0581 -6.39322 54.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:27:22 57.05813 -6.3931 53.6 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:27:52 57.05818 -6.39302 53.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:28:22 57.05823 -6.39295 52.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:28:52 57.0583 -6.39287 52.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 

21/09/10 A155 15:29:22 57.05833 -6.3928 53.1 SS.SSa.CMuSa 










21/09/10 A156 10:49:38 57.0537 -6.43195 175.6 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag Burrowed mud 















80



21/09/10 A157 11:24:14 57.05343 -6.42687 142.2 SS.SMu.CSaMu 

21/09/10 A157 11:24:44 57.05355 -6.4268 142.1 SS.SMu.CSaMu 


Leptometra; 


fan / sponge 

communities 


Leptometra; 


fan / sponge 

communities 







Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 




communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 


fan / sponge 

26/09/10 A159 14:53:00 57.05385 -6.41095 76.8 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi communities, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 

81




fan / sponge 

communities, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 



fan / sponge 

communities, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 



communities 



communities 

26/09/10 A159 14:55:30 57.0539 -6.41165 88.0 SS.SCS.CCS 

26/09/10 A159 14:56:00 57.05392 -6.41177 88.4 SS.SCS.CCS 

26/09/10 A159 14:56:30 57.05393 -6.4119 89.6 SS.SCS.CCS 








































82







































23/09/10 A165.1 16:31:48 57.0516 -6.43873 221.1 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag Atrina fragilis 

















83













26/09/10 A165.1 16:45:50 57.05688 -6.4375 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag Atrina fragilis 







Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 






Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 















22/09/10 A174 12:38:14 57.04333 -6.4369 174.7 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:38:44 57.04333 -6.43688 174.9 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:39:14 57.04337 -6.43692 175.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:39:44 57.04338 -6.43698 176.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:40:14 57.04343 -6.43702 176.2 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:40:44 57.04343 -6.43705 177.0 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:41:14 57.04345 -6.43705 176.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:41:44 57.04345 -6.43705 177.0 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:42:14 57.04348 -6.43708 176.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:42:44 57.04355 -6.437 177.3 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:43:14 57.04365 -6.43697 178.6 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:43:44 57.04373 -6.43703 182.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

84


22/09/10 A174 12:44:14 57.04383 -6.43728 184.6 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:44:44 57.04383 -6.43745 187.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:45:14 57.04378 -6.4377 189.3 SS.SMx.CMx 

22/09/10 A174 12:45:44 57.04373 -6.43797 191.5 SS.SMx.CMx 



Burrowed mud, 

22/09/10 A177 15:49:54 57.04488 -6.41388 73.1 SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun Funiculina 








communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 

85




communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 


fan / sponge 

22/09/10 A180 11:21:30 57.03605 -6.47543 105.1 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi communities, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 



communities 

Burrowed mud, 

22/09/10 A182 09:40:46 57.03702 -6.4931 120.4 SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt Leptometra 

celtica agg 




Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 



Burrowed mud, 


celtica agg. 


Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 





Burrowed mud, 


celtica agg., 

Swiftia pallida, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 


Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 








Burrowed mud, 

Funiculina 




celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 

86




celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 



celtica agg. 




22/09/10 A185 10:56:44 57.03313 -6.48125 110.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:57:14 57.03302 -6.48125 112.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:57:44 57.0329 -6.48123 115.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:58:14 57.03278 -6.48133 115.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:58:44 57.03265 -6.48138 115.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:59:14 57.03257 -6.48153 112.9 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 10:59:44 57.03252 -6.48173 111.6 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:00:14 57.0324 -6.48188 111.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:00:44 57.03233 -6.48205 111.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:01:14 57.03223 -6.48215 110.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:01:44 57.03212 -6.48225 111.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:02:14 57.03193 -6.48222 112.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:02:44 57.03187 -6.48237 112.7 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:03:14 57.03175 -6.4824 113.7 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:03:44 57.03165 -6.48247 114.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

22/09/10 A185 11:04:14 57.0315 -6.4824 114.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 












communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 










87




















23/09/10 A195 11:34:18 57.0447 -6.44427 -1.5 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 



























26/09/10 A195 13:50:12 57.03512 -6.44888 143.1 SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag ?Atrina fragilis 









88
























































89













23/09/10 A196 12:58:30 57.03488 -6.43938 161.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 12:59:02 57.03487 -6.43935 161.2 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 12:59:32 57.03483 -6.43932 161.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:00:02 57.03483 -6.43928 161.2 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:00:32 57.03478 -6.43908 160.7 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:01:02 57.0347 -6.43893 161.0 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:01:32 57.03463 -6.43875 160.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:02:02 57.03457 -6.43865 160.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:02:32 57.03452 -6.43855 159.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

23/09/10 A196 13:03:02 57.03448 -6.43842 158.7 SS.SMx.CMx 




23/09/10 A200 10:13:42 57.0285 -6.48492 84.6 CR.LCR.BrAs 

23/09/10 A200 10:14:12 57.02837 -6.48483 84.7 CR.LCR.BrAs 

23/09/10 A200 10:14:42 57.02827 -6.48472 84.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 



23/09/10 A200 10:16:12 57.02797 -6.48462 86.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

23/09/10 A200 10:16:42 57.02785 -6.48443 87.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:17:12 57.02775 -6.4843 89.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:17:42 57.02768 -6.48422 90.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:18:12 57.02757 -6.48407 91.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:18:42 57.02745 -6.48397 91.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:19:12 57.02735 -6.48383 91.4 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A200 10:19:42 57.02725 -6.48378 91.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:51:18 57.02922 -6.46902 105.7 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:51:48 57.02912 -6.4692 105.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:52:18 57.02903 -6.46937 104.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:52:48 57.02892 -6.46953 103.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:53:18 57.02882 -6.46965 103.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:53:48 57.02867 -6.46982 105.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:54:18 57.02855 -6.4699 107.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:54:48 57.02843 -6.46998 109.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:55:18 57.02833 -6.47012 112.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:55:48 57.02823 -6.4702 114.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:56:18 57.02813 -6.4703 116.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:56:48 57.02798 -6.47045 119.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:57:18 57.02788 -6.47048 121.1 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:57:48 57.02777 -6.47058 125.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 11:58:18 57.02763 -6.47067 125.7 CR.LCR.BrAs 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 


celtica agg. 

90




26/09/10 A202 11:59:48 57.02727 -6.4711 128.5 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 12:00:18 57.02715 -6.47115 129.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 12:00:48 57.02702 -6.47125 129.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

26/09/10 A202 12:01:18 57.02688 -6.47133 130.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 



















communities 



communities 



communities 



communities 



07/08/10 A209 13:32:12 57.02428 -6.46362 207.0 CR.LCR.BrAs 

07/08/10 A209 13:32:42 57.02423 -6.46373 206.3 CR.LCR.BrAs 

07/08/10 A209 13:33:12 57.02417 -6.46382 204.8 CR.LCR.BrAs 

07/08/10 A209 13:33:42 57.0241 -6.4639 204.2 CR.LCR.BrAs 

07/08/10 A209 13:34:12 57.02408 -6.46397 203.5 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:34:42 57.02403 -6.46402 202.5 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:35:12 57.02402 -6.46408 202.0 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:35:42 57.024 -6.46423 200.9 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:36:12 57.02398 -6.46435 200.1 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:36:42 57.02397 -6.46447 198.5 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:37:12 57.02395 -6.46462 197.3 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:37:42 57.02393 -6.46478 195.5 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:38:12 57.0239 -6.4649 194.2 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:38:42 57.02392 -6.465 191.6 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:39:12 57.0239 -6.46515 191.4 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:39:42 57.02388 -6.46528 191.5 SS.SSa.CFiSa 

07/08/10 A209 13:40:12 57.02387 -6.46543 190.9 SS.SSa.CFiSa 




05/08/10 A212 13:51:38 57.02497 -6.44065 51.6 SS.SCS.CCS 

91


05/08/10 A212 13:52:08 57.025 -6.44055 50.1 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:52:38 57.02498 -6.4405 49.2 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:53:08 57.02493 -6.4405 48.5 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:53:38 57.02487 -6.44043 45.5 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:54:08 57.0248 -6.4404 44.3 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:54:38 57.02475 -6.4404 43.1 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:55:08 57.02468 -6.44038 42.6 SS.SCS.CCS 

05/08/10 A212 13:55:38 57.02465 -6.4404 42.5 SS.SCS.CCS 



















05/08/10 A217 14:42:20 57.01978 -6.44647 54.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

05/08/10 A217 14:42:50 57.01972 -6.44665 54.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

05/08/10 A217 14:43:20 57.01963 -6.44682 54.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

05/08/10 A217 14:43:50 57.01953 -6.44697 54.3 SS.SMx.CMx 

05/08/10 A217 14:44:20 57.01948 -6.4472 55.0 SS.SMx.CMx 

05/08/10 A217 14:44:50 57.01942 -6.44743 56.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:45:20 57.01932 -6.4476 55.7 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:45:50 57.01925 -6.44778 57.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:46:20 57.01915 -6.44795 56.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:46:50 57.01905 -6.4481 56.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:47:20 57.01892 -6.44825 55.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:47:50 57.01882 -6.44837 55.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:48:20 57.01868 -6.44848 53.9 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:48:50 57.0186 -6.44867 56.8 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:49:20 57.01855 -6.44908 64.1 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:49:50 57.0186 -6.4496 75.5 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A217 14:50:20 57.01887 -6.45032 85.4 SS.SMx.CMx 

06/08/10 A219 14:23:56 57.01505 -6.4665 53.6 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:24:26 57.01502 -6.46672 54.2 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:24:56 57.01497 -6.46697 54.9 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:25:26 57.01495 -6.4672 57.3 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:25:56 57.01495 -6.46747 59.9 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:26:26 57.01493 -6.46772 62.5 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:26:56 57.01488 -6.46798 64.2 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:27:26 57.01477 -6.4682 65.4 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:27:56 57.01463 -6.46835 66.2 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:28:26 57.01453 -6.46845 65.5 SS.SCS.CCS 

06/08/10 A219 14:28:56 57.01443 -6.46857 62.6 SS.SCS.CCS 

92

















































29/08/10 Dive1.1 15:05 57.059 -6.48984 0 - 3 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Seagrass beds 

30/08/10 Dive2.1 10:29 57.0451 -6.464 6 - 19 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypFa 

30/08/10 Dive2.2 10:29 57.0451 -6.464 19 - 24 CR.HCR.XFa.CvirCri 

93


30/08/10 Dive2.3 10:29 57.0451 -6.464 24 - 34 CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs 


fan / sponge 

communities, 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus, 

Palinurus 

elephas 

30/08/10 Dive3.1 15:00 57.0654 -6.4833 2.9 - 2.9 IR.HIR.KSed.Sac 

30/08/10 Dive3.2 15:00 57.0654 -6.4833 2.9 - 21.4 SS.SSa.IMuSa.SsubNhom 

30/08/10 Dive4.1 16:03 57.0596 -6.4859 4.5 - 10.7 IR.LIR.K.Lsac.Ft 

30/08/10 Dive4.2 16:03 57.0596 -6.4859 10.7 - 17.5 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

30/08/10 Dive4.3 16:03 57.0596 -6.4859 17.5 - 23.5 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 


31/08/10 Dive5.2 11:15 57.0422 -6.46717 16 - 21 CR.HCR.XFa.CvirCri 

31/08/10 Dive5.3 11:15 57.0422 -6.46717 21 - 34 CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus, 

poss. northern 

sea fan comms 

31/08/10 Dive6.1 16:10 57.0618 -6.34762 11 - 13 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

31/08/10 Dive6.2 17:08 57.0636 -6.3453 15 - 21 CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia 

01/09/10 Dive7.1 10:28 57.0704 -6.48925 11 - 13 IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR 

01/09/10 Dive7.2 10:28 57.0704 -6.48925 13 - 19 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Gv 


seaweed 

communities 

01/09/10 Dive7.3 10:28 57.0704 -6.48925 19 - 28 SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

01/09/10 Dive8.1 11:42 57.0703 -6.48778 18 - 22 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus, 


sea fan comms 

01/09/10 Dive8.2 11:42 57.0703 -6.48778 22 - 36 CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus, 


sea fan comms 


01/09/10 Dive10.1 16:26 57.0102 -6.46012 4.2 - 6.2 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

02/09/10 Dive11.1 10:57 57.0573 -6.48488 22.5 - 28.5 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 

02/09/10 Dive12.1 11:58 57.0546 -6.48108 21 - 27 SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax Burrowed mud 

02/09/10 Dive13.1 15:25 57.0538 -6.47795 3 - 7 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

02/09/10 Dive13.2 15:25 57.0538 -6.47795 7 - 24 CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus 

02/09/10 Dive14.1 16:46 57.0266 -6.43372 20.5 - 22 SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal Maerl beds 

03/09/10 Dive15.1 10:40 57.0532 -6.35493 4 - 6.5 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Seagrass beds 

94

Table A1.2 

Summary notes (biological community present, substrates etc.) for individual drop-down video samples collected during the 2010 Sound of 

Canna survey 

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

Tape No/DVD No 

Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

DD1_1.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 2.9 - 2 

DD1_2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 4.4 - 6.3 

DD1_3 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 7.4 

DD1_2.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 1.3 

DD1_4 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

20.1 - 

20.1 

DD1_5.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 6.2 - 9.2 

DD1_5.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

16.2 - 

9.2 

5.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 14.2 

5.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

13.2 - 

9.2 

Notes 

Laminaria saccharina and Laminaria hyperborea forest with some red 

algae. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, 

Desmarestia aculeata, Ulva sp., Membranipora membranacea, enc. 

Corallinaceae, Delesseria sanguinea, Dilsea carnosa, Haliclona sp. 

Kelp on boulders and sand. Very grazed/scoured. Small plants in 

understorey. Laminaria saccharina @ 8 m and coralline crusts on 

cobbles. Patches of clean gravel. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, 

Laminaria saccharina, Asterias rubens, Echinus esculentus, enc. 

Corallinaceae, Chondrus crispus, Delesseria sanguinea, Callophyllis 

laciniata. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest on cobble and boulder with coralline crusts. 

Species: Laminaria hyperborea, enc. Corallinaceae, Callophyllis 

laciniata, Kallymenia reniformis, Asterias rubens. 

Very short drop onto sand in inner bay. No Zostera. Clean rippled sand 

with Arenicola marina. 

Cobbles and boulders with algae, hydroids, Pomatoceros and Echinus. 

Some patches of grazed boulders. Species: Pomatoceros sp., Echinus 

esculentus, Bonnemaisonia asparagoides. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest on grazed or scoured bedrock. Some 

Echinus present. Crusts frequent. Then mobile cobbles with Laminaria 

saccharina, Desmarestia aculeata, Alaria esculenta, Saccorhiza 

polyschides. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, 

Desmarestia aculeata, Alaria esculenta, Saccorhiza polyschides, 

Echinus esculentus, enc. Corallinaceae, Dilsea carnosa. 

Boulders and cobbles with abundant algae. Occasional Laminaria 

saccharina and Laminaria hyperborea. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, 

Laminaria saccharina, Saccorhiza polyschides, Odonthalia dentata, 

Dilsea carnosa. 

Rock/sand boundary. Mixed shelly sand. Mounds and occasional algae. 

Laminaria saccharina occasional. Cerianthus. Species: Laminaria 

saccharina, Cerianthus lloydii. 

Bedrock and boulder with Laminaria hyperborea forest. Camera up from 

11 m. 

Biotopes 


IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.AreISa 

IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.GzFt; 

IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR 




95

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

DD1_7.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 25 - 40 

DD1_7.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 22 - 35 

DD1_8 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 3.9 - 3.9 

DD1_9 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

19.7 - 

45.7 

Notes 

Bedrock with sediment. Dropped off suddenly to over 40 m - no seabed 

visible. Not enough species visible on bedrock shelf to assign biotope. 

Species: Nemertesia antennina, red algae occasional, Echinus 

esculentus. 

Bedrock and occasional boulders with Alcyonium digitatum, Parasmittina 

trispinosa, Holothuria forskali and Cliona celata. At 30 m there was a 

hydroid and bryozoan turf amongst the Alcyonium. Steep drop from 30 to 

37 m onto cobble and gravel at 37 m. Species: Alcyonium digitatum, 

Parasmittina trispinosa, Holothuria forskali, Cliona celata, Nemertesia 

antennina, Labrus mixtus, Echinus esculentus, Delesseria sanguinea, 

Caryophyllia smithii. 

Grazed Laminaria hyperborea forest on bedrock in depths varying from 6 

to 10 m. 

Boulders and bedrock with red algae and hydroids. Bedrock platform 

then boulder areas. Species: Kallymenia reniformis, Caryophyllia smithii, 

Labrus mixtus, Echinus esculentus, Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia 

ramosa, enc. Corallinaceae, Holothuria forskali, Aslia lefevrei, Munida 

rugosa, Parasmittina trispinosa. 


Shelf then cliff 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Adig 



9 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 32.7 Smaller cobbles with Pomatoceros, Pecten and Nemertesia antennina. SS.SCS.CCS.PomB 

9 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 37.7 Gravel then more boulders with Securiflustra securifrons. CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

9 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 45.7 

DD1_12.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

12.6 - 

29.6 

Boulders/bedrock with sparse kelp at 15 m, then grazed boulders with 

Parasmittina and enc. Corallines. Then boulders with sparse Alcyonium 

digitatum. Gravel patches. Species: Parasmittina trispinosa, enc. 

Corallinaceae, Laminaria hyperborea (small), Echinus esculentus, 

Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa, Caryophyllia smithii, 

Holothuria forskali, Marthasterias glacialis, Alcyonium digitatum, 

Calliostoma zizyphinum, Cliona celata, Dictyota dichotoma, Cryptopleura 

ramosa. 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk 

12.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 24.6 Bedrock with Cliona celata and Alcyonium digitatum. CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Adig 

12.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 22.6 Scattered algae on bedrock. 

12.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 29.6 

DD1_12.2 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

DD1_13.1 07/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100807_5 

11.5 - 

13.5 

10.4 - 

23.4 

Slope dropping seaward. Bedrock with Alcyonium, more hydroids and 

Caryophyllia. Species: Alcyonium digitatum, Caryophyllia smithii, 

Pollachius pollachius. 

Grazed bedrock with Laminaria hyperborea. Alcyonium on small vertical 

faces. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Echinus esculentus, Alcyonium 

digitatum. 

Bedrock with Laminaria hyperborea forest. Seabed drops off @ circa 

15 m to 26 m then 40 m. 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Adig 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft; 

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

96

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

DD1_15.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 1.3 - 1.3 

DD1_15.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 7.4 - 8.4 

DD1_15.3 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 4.4 - 2.9 

DD1_16.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 13.4 

DD1_16.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

29.3 - 

41.3 

DD1_17.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 3.6 

DD1_17.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

DD1_17.3 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

DD1_18.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_2 

DD1_18.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_2 

DD1_18.3 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_2 

10.3 - 

9.3 

12.4 - 

14.4 

5.4 - 

19.4 

3.4 - 

14.4 

9.5 - 

41.5 

Notes 

Muddy sand with Zostera marina. Species: Foliose/filamentous algae, 

Zostera marina, Ulva, Fucus serratus, Laminaria saccharina, Alaria 

esculenta, Laminaria hyperborea, 2 spots gobies. 

Muddy sand, low mounds, well worked. Species: Cerianthus lloydii (A), 

Laminaria saccharina, Carcinus maenas, Ulva, Pecten maximus, 

?Gracilaria. 

Well worked coarse sand @ 8 m. Boulders with kelp @ 6.5 m. Species: 

Laminaria saccharina, Alaria esculenta, Ulva, Desmarestia aculeata. 

Well worked sandy mud with diatom film. Sagartiogeton common, 

occasional Virgularia. Species: Sagartiogeton laceratus, Virgularia 

mirabilis, Pagurus bernhardus, Laminaria saccharina, Asterias rubens, 

Cerianthus lloydii, Suberites, Necora puber, Amphiura sp. 

Burrowed mud with abundant Sagartiogeton. Nephrops frequent. 

Species: Sagartiogeton laceratus (A), Nephrops norvegicus, Paguridae, 

Virgularia, ?Lumpenus lampretaeformis (not a good picture but seems to 

have long body. poss. Lesueurigobius though). 

Dense kelp forest. Species: cape Laminaria saccharina, cape Laminaria 

hyperborea. 

Muddy sand with occ. Laminaria saccharina. Some burrows. Silty red 

algae. Kelp forest from 14:51. Species: Laminaria saccharina, 

Cerianthus lloydii, ?Gracilaria gracilis, Arenicola marina, Astropecten 

irregularis, Pomatoschistus sp. 

Mixed muddy sediment with small scattered Laminaria saccharina. 

Occasional boulders and some foliose/filamentous algae. Species: 

Laminaria saccharina, Cerianthus lloydii, Desmarestia aculeata. 

?Maerl or gravel at start then muddy sand, heavily worked with diatom 

film. Species: Laminaria saccharina, Arenicola marina. Cerianthus 

lloydii, Cancer pagurus, Ulva, Desmarestia aculeata, Gracilaria gracilis, 

Lanice conchilega. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest to 16 m. Then muddy sand with diatoms 

and algae. Holes in sediment. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Lanice 

conchilega, Arenicola marina, Cancer pagurus. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest then Laminaria saccharina on sediment with 

scattered boulders and red algae. 20 m: sand with Laminaria saccharina 

and common Cerianthus lloydii. 

37 m: hydroids on cobbles then steep bedrock dropping off steeply. 

Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, Desmarestia 

aculeata, Cerianthus lloydii, Saccorhiza polyschides, Nemertesia 

antennina, Cancer pagurus. 




SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR; 

IR.LIR.K.Lsac 

SS.SMu.ISaMu 


IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac.Ft 


IR.LIR.K.Lsac 


IR.LIR.K.Lsac 

SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa; 


IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft; 

SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft; 


SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 

97

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


DD1_20.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

DD1_20.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

DD1_21.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

DD1_21.2 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 

Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

28.5 - 

30.5 

11.5 - 

13.5 

12.7 - 

26.7 

6.6 - 

28.6 

Notes 

Mounded sediment, mostly muddy sand. Burrowing anemones abundant 

(Sagartiogeton). Occ. burrows. Species: Arachnanthus sarsi (x1), 

Cerianthus lloydii (C), Cancer pagurus, Hyas araneus, Turritella 

communis, Nephrops norvegicus (x1), Sagartiogeton laceratus (A), 

Amphiura sp. 

Muddy sand with Cerianthus. Amphiura sp. abundant. Turritella present. 

Species: Cerianthus lloydii, Amphiura sp., Turritella communis. 

Steep slope of clean sand with sediment waves. 

Clean sand. Boulders with hydroids and algae at 16 m. Slope less steep 

after this. Species: Pecten maximus, Arenicola casts, cape form kelp, 

Desmarestia aculeata, Delesseria sanguinea, Saccorhiza polyschides, 

Laminaria hyperborea, Nemertesia antennina, Liocarcinus depurator, 

Cerianthus lloydii. 


SS.SSa.CMuSa 


ICS; CCS 

ICS; IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR 

DD1_22 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 10.7 Shelly sand. Laminaria saccharina frequent. ?Maerl debris. SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

DD1_22.1 05/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100805_1 4.6 

Bedrock with Laminaria hyperborea and stipe algae. Very clean. 

Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Cryptpleura ramosa, Delesseria 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

sanguinea. 

DD1_23 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

Cobble and gravel plain with hydroids. More gravel and fewer cobble 

25.2 - 

from 36 m. Species: Nemertesia antennina, Luidia ciliaris, Securiflustra 

33.2 

securifrons, Pomatoceros sp., Tubularia indivisa. 

CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia 

DD1_24 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

13.2 - 

18.2 

DD1_25.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 7.6 - 9.6 

DD1_26.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 4.3 - 2.3 

DD1_26.2 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 6.3 - 6.3 

DD1_27 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 2.7 - 2.7 

DD1_28 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

17.6 - 

18.6 

Laminaria hyperborea forest/park on silty boulders. Crusts and some 

foliose algae on the boulders. More cobbles @ 14:49, 22 m with smaller 

kelp plants and more Laminaria saccharina. Species: Laminaria 

hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, enc. Corallinaceae, Dictyota 

dichotoma, Kallymenia reniformis. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest. Alcyonium digitatum on stipes. Red algae 

abundant. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Alcyonium digitatum. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest on bedrock/boulders/cobbles. Algae on 

stipes and rock. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest on bedrock/boulders with sand patches. 

Red algae sparse. Stipes moderately grazed. 

Dense Laminaria hyperborea on boulders and bedrock with small 

patches of sand. 

Boulders changed to gravel @ 21m. Occasional Laminaria saccharina 

here. Species: Laminaria saccharina, Callophyllis laciniata, Desmarestia 

aculeata, Pomatoceros sp., Alcyonium digitatum, Nemertesia antennina. 







98

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


28 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

DD1_30 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

14.6 - 

18.6 

14.8 - 

17.8 

DD1_31 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 6.8 - 6.8 

DD1_32 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 22 - 26 

DD1_33 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 7 - 9 

DD1_35 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

DD1_36-37 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

10.3 - 

10.3 

17.2 – 

43.1 

36 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 24.2 

36 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 32.2 

DD1_38 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

Notes 

Boulders with sparse kelp forming a mixed kelp park and foliose red 

algae. Moves onto cobble and gravel @13:46, 21 m. Species: Laminaria 

hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, Saccorhiza polyschides, Dictyota 

dichotoma, Kallymenia reniformis, Echinus esculentus, Nemertesia spp., 

Alcyonium digitatum. 

Boulder slope at base of kelp forest. Foliose algae and occasional small 

Laminaria saccharina and Saccorhiza plants. Species: Laminaria 

saccharina, Saccorhiza plants, Kallymenia reniformis, Echinus 

esculentus, Delesseria sanguinea, Nemertesia antennina, Plocamium 

cartilagineum, Nemertesia ramosa, Dictyota dichotoma. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest. Clean kelp with algae on bedrock quite 

sparse. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Echinus esculentus, Laminaria 

saccharina. 

Cobble, pebble and gravel with abundant Pomatoceros. Uniform seabed. 

Species: Pomatoceros sp., enc. Corallinaceae, Nemertesia ramosa, 

Bugula sp., Scrupocellaria sp. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest mixed with other kelp species. Species: 

Laminaria hyperborea, Laminaria saccharina, Saccorhiza polyschides. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest mixed with other kelp species. Moved to 

kelp park at 14 m. Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Saccorhiza 

polyschides, Laminaria saccharina, Desmarestia aculeata, Gibbula 

cineraria. 

Cobble, boulder and gravel plain with hydroids and red algae. Species: 

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides, Heterosiphonia plumosa, Nemertesia 

antennina, Nemertesia ramosa, Echinus esculentus, Pomatoceros sp., 

Necora puber, Marthasterias, Kallymenia reniformis, Parasmittina 

trispinosa, Cerianthus lloydii, Alcyonium digitatum. 

Uniform plain of gravel and pebbles. Looks dredged. Species: Lanice 

conchilega, Cerianthus lloydii, Nemertesia ramosa, enc. Corallinaceae. 

Gravel and pebbles with Cerianthus and occasional hydroids. Species: 

Cerianthus lloydii, Nemertesia ramosa, Liocarcinus depurator, Inachus 

sp., Pagurus bernhardus. 


IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk; 




SS.SCS.CCS 

IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp; 




SS.SCS.CCS 


36 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 22.2 

More gravel from WP25 @ 25 m. Fewer algae. Species: Pecten 

maximus, Lanice conchilega. 

SS.SMx.CMx 

37 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 43.1 Camera up from mixed gravel plain. 36 to 37 is one drop. SS.SCS.CCS 

Pebble, cobble and gravel plain with shell debris. Species: Cerianthus 

23.5 - 

lloydii, Pomatoceros sp., Liocarcinus depurator, Cancer pagurus, 

28.5 

Carcinus maenas, ?Phymatolithon, Pomatoceros sp. 

SS.SCS.CCS 

99

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


DD1_39 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

DD1_40 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

DD1_44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

17.4 - 

17.4 

7.6 - 

12.6 

3.8 - 

26.8 

Notes 

Boulder, cobble, gravel and shell plain with dense hydroids and algae. 

Rich site, doesn't look disturbed. Species: Nemertesia antennina, 

Nemertesia ramosa, Lanice conchilega, Sabella pavonina, Laminaria 

saccharina. Dictyota dichotoma, Echinus esculentus, Kallymenia 

reniformis, Delesseria sanguinea, Plocamium cartilagineum, 

Bonnemisonia asparagoides, Heterosiphonia plumosa. 

Laminaria hyperborea on boulders and cobbles. Algae on stipes. 

Species: Laminaria hyperborea, Saccorhiza polyschides, Echinus 

esculentus, red algae. 

Laminaria hyperborea forest on bedrock/boulders. Algae on stipes and 

rock. Fairly silty. Echinus present. Large patch of drift algae at 12 m 

10:50. Then Laminaria saccharina (long, large plants, not cape) at base 

of L. hyperborea forest, Laminaria saccharina and red algae on coarse 

sediment, mixed gravelly sand without algae deeper. Saccorhiza also 

present. 



IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft; 

IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk 


44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 15.8 Onto kelp forest again. IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft 

44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

Laminaria saccharina forest. Large plants on cobble and sand. Red 

algae frequent. 

IR.HIR.KSed.LsacSac 

44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 16.8 Rich cobble bed, fairly well consolidated. Possible maerl. SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR 

44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 22.8 

Cobble, pebble and gravel with occasional algae. Occasional Laminaria 

saccharina at 26 m. Cerianthus lloydii. 11:05 ?brittlestar arms. Species: 

Laminaria saccharina, Cerianthus lloydii. 


44.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 26.7 

DD1_45.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 21 

DD1_46.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 2.4 - 7.9 

Pebble/sand plain with occasional cobbles. Looks dredged. Very 

uniform. Species: Cerianthus lloydii. 

Mixed sediment and cobble. Pomatoceros, shell debris, Species: 

Pomatoceros sp., Marthasterias glacialis, Cerianthus lloydii, Pecten 

maximus, Nemertesia ramosa. 

Clean sand with diatom film, Ulva, Ectocarpaceae and occasional red 

algae. Arenicola marina. Zostera @WP6. Patchy 5.1 m. None @WP7 

but rare patches at 6.4 m bcd. Silty Laminaria hyperborea forest with red 

algae on rock at end. Species: Ulva sp., Ectocarpaceae, foliose red 

algae, Arenicola marina, Zostera marina, Laminaria hyperborea. 

SS.SMx.CMx 


SS.SSA.IMuSa.AreISa; 

SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar; 


46.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 7.5 Muddy sand with Laminaria saccharina and Arenicola mounds. SS.SMp.KSwSS 

46.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 7.9 Dense Laminaria saccharina, Ulva and cape Laminaria hyperborea. IR.LIR.K.LhypLsac 

46.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 7.9 

Laminaria hyperborea forest with Laminaria saccharina, occasional 

Halidrys, Desmarestia aculeata and filamentous/foliose algae. 


DD1_46.2 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 2.2 Clean sand with patchy diatoms and fragments of algae. SS.SSa.IFiSa 

DD1_46.3 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 5.5 - 6.3 

Only parts of run recorded. Shelly sand with occasional algae. Ulva, 

bivalves. 

SS.SSa.IFiSa 

100

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Notes 


46.3 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 

Zostera plants - only ones seen on this track. Then scattered algae again 

Recording from 53:35:41, 10 m, 17:16. 


DD1_46.4 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 Edge of Zostera patch with more beyond. SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar 

46.4 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 Onto sand and out of shelter of reef - no Zostera. SS.SSa.IFiSa 

46.4 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 4 Sand and scattered algae. SS.SSa.IFiSa 

46.4 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 4.3 Small patches of Zostera. Edge of bed - very patchy Zostera. SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar 

46.4 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_4 4.7 Dense Zostera. End of tape. SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar 

DD1_47.1 06/08/2010 D1_Canna_20100806_3 

12.9 - 

14.9 

M01 26/09/2010 18.0 

M02 26/09/2010 20 - 26 

M03 26/09/2010 

25 - 

25.5 

M04 26/09/2010 26 

M05 26.0 

M06 26/09/2010 21 - 20 

M07 26/09/2010 24.0 

A12 21/09/2010 

A12 21/09/2010 

179 - 

196.5 

211 - 

192 

Shelly sand. Laminaria saccharina frequent. Species: Laminaria 

saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis, Desmarestia aculeata. 

Rock and boulders with foliose algae and coarse sand. Kallymenia 

reniformis, Delesseria sanguinea, Laminaria saccharina, possible maerl. 

Drifted too shallow for maerl search. 

Boulders and cobbles with foliose algae. Delesseria sanguinea, 

Nemertesia antennina, Caryophyllia smithii, Echinus esculentus, 

Parasmittina trispinosa, Labrus mixtus, Munida rugosa, Necora puber. 

Bits of maerl between boulders. Moved onto gravel/cobble with 

Pomatoceros sp. and then maerl and pebbles. 

Cobbles and maerl. Pomatoceros sp., occasional algae, Necora puber, 

Marthasterias glacialis. 

Cobble and maerl. Small squat lobsters (same as those seen in grabs), 

Munida rugosa, Pomatoceros sp., ?Cancer pagurus. 

Cobble, pebble and maerl. Pomatoceros sp., Munida rugosa, Nemertesia 

ramosa, Cancer pagurus. 

Maerl and pebbles in waves/ridges. Occasional small boulders. Sediment 

heavily excavated by crabs. Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa, 

Delesseria sanguinea, Scinaia sp., 2 spot gobies. 

Cobbles with patches of maerl. Foliose red algae, Labrus mixtus, 

Halecium halecinum, Nemertesia ramosa, Pomatoceros sp., Nemertesia 

antennina, Heterosiphonia plumosa. 

Muddy sand, cobbles and boulders and some bedrock. Echinus 

escuentus, Urticina eques, Flustra foliacea, Metridium senile, Munida 

rugosa, Alcyonium digitatum, Nemertesia ramosa, Securiflustra 

securifrons, ?Parazoanthus anguicomus, Pomatoceros sp., Porania 

pulvillus, Pagurus prideaux, Sabella pavonina, Inachus sp., Luidia ciliaris, 

Henricia sp., frequent small fish, Macropodia sp. 

Muddy gravel plain with pebbles. Henricia sp., Pomatoceros sp., Urticina 

eques, Munida rugosa, Cancer pagurus, Metridium senile, Echinus 

esculentus, Neptunea antiqua, Sabella pavonina, Aequipecten 

opercularis, possible Atrina @ 13:22 and 13:24. 












CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 


101

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A12 21/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

192 - 

176 

A12 21/09/2010 173.4 

Notes 

Muddy gravel with Atrina fragilis - large shells providing attachment for 

hydroids and sponges. Atrina seen at intervals of several metres. Dead 

shells also present. Dogfish, ?Iophon sp., Polymastia mamillaria, 

Salmacina dysteri, Ophiura sp., Inachus sp., Luidia ciliaris, Cerianthus 

lloydii, ?Ophiocomina nigra. 

Much sandier sediment with fewer pebbles. Ophiocomina nigra, Luidia 

ciliaris, Atrina fragilis, Pagurus prideaux. Moved onto some cobbles with 

Iophon type sponges, Tubularia indivisa, Alcyonidium diaphanum, 




Porania pulvillus, Sabella pavonina. 

A12 21/09/2010 179.8 Rock beneath sediment, exposed in places. SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

A12 21/09/2010 185.8 Dead Atrina shells. SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

A12 21/09/2010 190.3 More live Atrina. SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

A12 21/09/2010 

192.5 - 

202.6 

A lot of mixed dead shell, Asterias rubens, Salmacina dysteri colonies. 


A52 21/09/2010 200 

Shelly pebbly muddy gravel with Cerianthus lloydii, Urticina eques, 

Pomatoceros sp., frequent Sabella pavonina, Luidia ciliaris. 


A52 21/09/2010 215 Bedrock ridge then back to gravel. CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr 

A52 21/09/2010 208.7 

Mixed shelly gravel. Urticina eques, Inachus sp., Atrina fragilis, Echinus 

209 - 

esculentus, Aequipecten opercularis, Neptunea antiqua, Ophiocomina 

144 

nigra, Salmacina dysteri, dogfish, Inachus dorsettensis, Munida rugosa. 


A64 21/09/2010 

231 - 

218 

Well sorted muddy sand. Atrina present at the start. Ophiura ophiura, 

Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia palliata, possible brittlestar arms in 

sediment, Echinus esculentus. Atrina frequent in small groups. Hydroids 

and sponges on shells. Sabella pavonina . 


A64 21/09/2010 227.0 Sediment more mixed, occasional small boulders. SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

A66 21/09/2010 232.0 

Firm sand, Ophiocomina nigra, bivalve siphons. Frame streaming in the 

tide; site abandoned. 

Firm sand 

Muddy sand and cobbles then moved onto rippled sand with less 

A79 21/09/2010 

pebble/cobble and some holes & burrows. Ophiocomina nigra and Atrina 

223 - 

fragilis common from the start. Densest Atrina so far. ?Caryophyllia 

156 

smithii, Inachus sp., Munida rugosa, Neptunea antiqua, ?Anemonactis, 

Cancer pagurus. 


A120 21/09/2010 188 - 91 

Mixed muddy gravel and then more cobbles and boulders. Tow stopped 

as umbilical lying up the steep slope (camera drifting ahead of umbilical). 

Pagurus prideaux, Urticina eques, Atrina fragilis, Munida rugosa, 

Sagartiogeton (orange). Luidia ciliaris, Solaster endeca, Sabella 

pavonina, Echinus esculentus, Cerianthus lloydii, Inachus sp., fish indet. 



102

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A123 21/09/2010 

A123 21/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

170 - 

175 

175 - 

177 

A124 21/09/2010 82 - 105 

A124 21/09/2010 

A124 21/09/2010 

A125 21/09/2010 

A125 21/09/2010 

107 - 

119 

118 - 

125 

125 - 

116 

115 - 

109 

A126 21/09/2010 68 - 92 

A127 22/09/2010 

A128 22/09/2010 

A130 22/09/2010 

103 - 

110 

103 - 

109 

Notes 

Mixed muddy gravel with pebblesand occasional boulders and then 

moved onto less mixed sediment. Atrina fragilis at the start. Sponges 

frequent, Suberites ficus, Urticina eques, Sabella pavonina, Luidia 

ciliaris, Echinus esculentus, Pagurus prideaux, Ophiocomina nigra, fish 

indet., Alcyonium digitatum on Atrina. Small ray @ 172 m. 

Towards end of tow moved onto Nephrops ground. Nephrops 

norvegicus, Sabella pavonina, rare Atrina fragilis. 

Occasional boulders on sediment, pebbles and cobbles on muddy sand 

with possible underlying rock. Echinus esculentus, small fish, Flustra 

foliacea, Liocarcinus depurator, Munida rugosa, Cerianthus loydii, 

?Pecten maximus, Metridium senile, Cancer pagurus, Pagurus prideaux, 

Adamsia palliata, Aporrhais pespelecani. 

Basalt pebbles and boulders with Pomatoceros sp., Swiftia pallida, 

Aequipecten opercularis, Parasmittina trispinosa, axinellid sponges, 

Axinella infundibulum. 

More rock and boulders (10:25), Leptometra celtica aggregation. Lights 

out. 

Silty sand, with pebbles and cobbles. Holes in sediment. Note lines 

across seabed. Leptometra celtica, Cancer pagurus, Munida rugosa, 

Pecten maximus, Echinus esculentus, Luidia sarsi, Luidia ciliaris, 

Axinella infundibuliformis. Neptunea antiqua, Pagurus prideaux and 

Adamsia palliata, Cerianthus lloydii, Sagartiogeton laceratus. 

Nephrops burrows@ 11:00 on a muddy plain. 

Mud; Sediment well worked with small holes and occasional Nephrops 

norvegicus burrows. Munida rugosa, Pagurus prideaux, Cerianthus 

lloydii, Liocarcinus depurator, ?brittlestar arms, Nephrops norvegicus, 

Nemertesia antennina. 

Very fine silty burrowed sand plain with sparse shell debris. Nephrops 

norvegicus, ?Pennatula phosphorea, fish, Munida rugosa. 

Muddy fine sand with shells, pebbles and occasional cobbles. Munida 

rugosa (A), Leptometra celtica, Neptunea antiqua, Cerianthus lloydii. 

Small Leptometra aggregation @ 95 m 15:25. 

Silty boulders and cobbles with silt patches and shell debris. ?Atrina. 

Buccinum undatum, Urticina felina, Munida rugosa, Salmacina dysteri, 

Caryophyllia smithii, fish, Echinus esculentus, ?Nemertesia sp., 

Alcyonium digitatum, Porania pulvillus, Neptunea antiqua, ?Neocrania 

anomala, Monodaeus couchii, Henricia sp., Cancer pagurus, ?Tubularia 

indivisa. 




SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 



SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx 






103

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

A131 26/09/2010 115 - 98 

A132 24/09/2010 

181 - 

176 

A135 21/09/2010 73 - 77 

A135 22/09/2010 80 - 82 

A136 22/09/2010 86 - 88 

A138 26/09/2010 

A138 26/09/2010 

A139 26/09/2010 

A140 26/09/2010 

167 - 

168 

168 - 

169 

196 - 

194 

173 - 

167 

A141 26/09/2010 102 

Notes 

Muddy sand and cobbles with dead shell. Occasional small boulders. 

Echinus esculentus, Paguridae, Turritella communis, Leptometra celtica, 

fish, Buccinum undatum, Munida rugosa, Nemertesia antennina, Asterias 

rubens. 

Muddy fine sand with some shell. Sabella pavonina, Pagurus prideaux, 

Adamsia palliata. Very bad visibility. 

Muddy sand; Turritella communis, Pagurus bernhardus, holes in sand, 

Pag prideaux, small fish, Nephrops norvegicus, Liocarcinus depurator. 

Very fine muddy sand with holes & burrows. Nephrops norvegicus, 

Paguridae, fish, Adamsia palliata, Turritella communis. 

Very fine burrowed sand with Nephrops norvegicus. Cerianthus lloydii, 

Munida rugosa, Goneplax rhomboides, ?Pennatula phosphorea (15:02), 

Asterias rubens, Liocarcinus depurator. 

Muddy sand and cobble with dead shell. Atrina x1 at start. Occasional 

boulders. Ophiocomina nigra, Pagurus prideaux, small pagurids, 

Adamsia palliata, Turritella communis, Sabella pavonina, rare Atrina 

fragilis. 

Nephrops norvegicus ground. 

Muddy sand with burrows. Amphiura sp., Turritella communis, 

Sagartiogeton laceratus, Sabella pavonina, Paguridae. Picture lost - 

camera up. 

Silty boulders and cobbles with silt patches and shell debris then muddy 

fine sand with some shell. Very bad visibility in places. Some holes in 

sand, dead shell (Modiolus). Very fine muddy sand with holes & burrows 

towqards end of tow. Picture lost at end - camera up. Liocarcinus 

depurator, ?Nemertesia sp., ?Neocrania anomala, ?Pennatula 

phosphorea, ?Tubularia indivisa, Adamsia palliata, Alcyonium digitatum, 

Amphiura sp., Asterias rubens, Atrina fragilis, Buccinum undatum, 

Cancer pagurus, Caryophyllia smithii, Echinus esculentus, fish, 

Goneplax rhomboides, Henricia sp., Liocarcinus depurator, Monodaeus 

couchii, Munida rugosa, Nephrops norvegicus, Neptunea antiqua, 

Ophiocomina nigra, Paguridae, Pagurus bernhardus, Pagurus prideaux, 

Porania pulvillus, Sabella pavonina, Sagartiogeton laceratus, Salmacina 

dysteri, small fish, small pagurids, Turritella communis, Urticina feline. 

Muddy sand with occasional boulders. Leptometra celtica aggregation for 

c. 1 min. Metridium senile, Munida rugosa. 


SS.SMu.CSaMu 

SS.SSa.CMuSa 

SS.SMu.CSaMu 








SS.SMu.CSaMu 

A141 26/09/2010 104 More shell debris. Atrina @10:21, Sabella pavonina. SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

104

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A141 26/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

104 - 

102 

A141 26/09/2010 102 

A141 26/09/2010 

104 - 

1120 

A143 24/09/2010 88 - 69 

A145 26/09/2010 64 - 84 

A147 26/09/2010 47 - 44 

A149 21/09/2010 49 - 39 

A149 21/09/2010 36 - 67 

A149 21/09/2010 57 - 86 

A149 21/09/2010 86 - 99 

A149 21/09/2010 

100 - 

147 

Notes 

Pennatula phosphorea, Cerianthus lloydii, Occasional Leptometra celtica 

on boulders, fish, Nemertesia ramosa. 

Funiculina quadrangularis, Neptunea antiqua, Leptometra celtica, 

Echinus esculentus with more boulders and cobbles from here and on to 

bedrock. 

Bedrock with Caryophyllia smithii, Salmacina dysteri, Porella compressa, 

Urticina felina. 

Mud with shell debris and occasional cobbles. Munida rugosa, Turritella 

communis, Urticina felina on boulder, pagurids in Turritella communis. 

Burrowed mud with Nephrops norvegicus became increasingly shelly. 

Liocarcinus depurator, Pennatula phosphorea, Turritella communis, 

Aequipecten opercularis, Munida rugosa, Paguridae. 

Muddy sand with occasional cobbles and boulders. Nephrops 

norvegicus, pagurids, Turritella communis. Camera malfunction so 

surfaced and redeployed. 

Muddy sand and gravel. Munida rugosa. Boulders with sponges and 

bryozoans. Liocarcinus depurator, Frequent Pecten maximus and small 

fish. Goneplax rhomboides, Cancer pagurus, Cerianthus lloydii and 

Myxicola. 

Cliff then mixed gravel slope with boulders and rock outcrops. Seabed 

alternated between bedrock and boulders with muddy gravel. Tubiularia 

indivisa, Corynactis viridis, Parazoanthus anguicomus, Cliona celata, 

Henricia sp., Securiflustra securifrons, Echinus esculentus, Asterias 

rubens, Nemertesia sp., Ascidia mentula, Luidia ciliaris. Alcyonidium 

diaphanum, Axinella infundibulilum, Pachymatisma johnstonia, 

Crossaster papposus, Munida rugosa, Alcyonidium diaphanum, Cancer 

pagurus, Pecten maximus, hydroids. 

Mixed muddy gravel plain. Luidia ciliaris, Crossaster papposus, Munida 

rugosa, Alcyonidium diaphanum, Cancer pagurus, Pecten maximus, 

Henricia sp., ?Lanice conchilega. 

Boulders and cobbles with Swiftia pallida, hydroids, Alcyonidium 

diaphanum, Echinus esculentus, Porania pulvillus, Leptometra celtica, 

Iophonopsis type, Tubularia indivisa. 

Very rugged big boulders and bedrock with Tubularia indivisa, Sabella 

pavonina, Parazoanthus anguicomus, Echinus esculentus, Leptometra 

celtica, Caryophyllia smithii, Corynactis viridis, ?Urticina felina, Metridium 

senile. 




CR.LCR.BrAs 

SS.SMx.CMx 



SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx.Nem 


SS.SMX.CMx.ClloMx 



105

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A149 21/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

180 - 

206 

A152 26/09/2010 0.93 

A152 26/09/2010 90 - 86 

A155 26/09/2010 67 - 60 

A155 26/09/2010 57 

Notes 

Steep slope with cobbles and gravel, moving onto a mixed muddy gravel 

plain. Urticina felina, Pomatoceros sp., Luidia ciliaris, Crossaster 

papposus, Munida rugosa, Alcyonidium diaphanum, Cancer pagurus, 

Pecten maximus, Henricia sp. ?Lanice conchilega. 

Muddy sand with shell debris. Sabella pavonina, Leptometra celtica, 

Munida rugosa, Callinassid burrows, Paguridae. 

Less shell, muddy sand with burrows. Turritella communis, Cerianthus 

lloydii. 

Muddy sand and shell debris. Turritella communis (C), Munida rugosa 

(occ), Nephrops norvegicus, Paguridae, Goneplax rhomboides, 

Callionymus sp., Luidia ciliaris, fish. 

More mixed ground, bedrock, cobble, boulders, shell and pebbles. 

Nemertesia antennina, Parasmittina trispinosa, Pecten maximus, 

Caryophyllia smithii, Echinus esculentus, Alcyonium digitatum, 

Parazoanthus anguicomus. 






CR.LCR.BrAs 

A155 26/09/2010 53.0 Back on to muddy sand. SS.SSa.CMuSa 

A156 26/09/2010 

183 - Mud. Nephrops norvegicus, Sabella pavonina, Atrina fragilis, Amphiura 

182 sp., Neptunea antiqua. 


A156 26/09/2010 

176 - Muddy sand and shell with boulders. Urticina eques, Atrina fragilis, 

175 Ophiocomina nigra, Alconium digitatum. 


A157 26/09/2010 

Muddy shell with occasional burrows. Neptunea antiqua, Alcyonidium, 

156 - 

Salmacina dysteri, Munida rugosa, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia palliata, 

141 

Cerianthus lloydii. 


A157 26/09/2010 141 

A157 26/09/2010 140 

A157 26/09/2010 

140 - 

138 

A159 26/09/2010 46 - 83 

Occasional boulders and rock, with yellow sponge, Echinus esculentus, 

Caryophyllia smithii, Axinella infundibulum, Luidia ciliaris, Leptometra 

celtica aggregations, Metridium senile, Neptunea antiqua, Echinus 

esculentus, Swiftia pallida. 

Mud. Sabella pavonina, Nephrops norvegicus, ?Callinassid burrows 

abundant. 

Mud. Funiculina quadrangularis, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia palliata, 

Cerianthus lloydii, Urticina eques. Nephrops norvegicus burrows rare and 

other burrows common. 

Bedrock, cobbles and gravel. Echinus esculentus, Labrus mixtus, 

Caryophyllia smithii, bryozoan crusts, Pomatoceros sp., hydroids, Cliona 

celata, Salmacina dysteri, Asterias rubens, Nemertesia sp., Porania 

pulvillus, ?Porella communis, Swiftia pallida, Parazoanthus anguicomus, 

Securiflustra securifrons. 





A159 26/09/2010 88.0 Gravel and pebbles. SS.SCS.CCS 

106

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Notes 


A161 24/09/2010 56 

Burrowed muddy sand with abundant holes. Nephrops norvegicus, 

Turritella communis, ?Virgularia mirabilis, Paguridae. 


A162 22/09/2010 228 

Silty fine sand, some broken shell and boulders. Asterias rubens, 

Macropodia sp., Urticina felina, Echinus esculentus, Caryophyllia smithii, 

Metridium senile, possible Corynactis viridis viridis, Iophonopsis sp., 


Sabella pavonina, Paguridae, ?Neptunea antiqua, Munida rugosa. 

A162 22/09/2010 237.0 

Silt and broken shell, mainly dead Modiolus shells. Cancer pagurus, 

Pagurus prideaux. 


A162 22/09/2010 235 Atrina fragilis. SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

A165 21/09/2010 

173 - Mud with Nephrops norvegicus, well burrowed. Goneplax rhomboides, 

183 ?Pennatula phosphorea, tubes ?Sabellid/Chaetopterus. 


A165 26/09/2010 205.0 

Mud with burrows, Sabella pavonina, Macropodia sp., Urticina eques, 

Nephrops norvegicus, Callinassid burrows, Fish, Dead Atrina 


Muddy sand and gravel becoming more mixed during the tow. Atrina 

fragilis (C). Sabella pavonina, Pagurus prideaux and Adamsia palliata, 

Luidia ciliaris, Echinus esculentus, Alcyonium digitatum, Opiura ophiura, 

A165.1 21/09/2010 

dense with lots of sponges and hydroids, Macropodia sp., Munida 

rugosa. More cobble with lots of Salmacina dysteri and Porania pulvillus. 

Atrina rarer but present to the end of the tow. 

221 - Salmacina dysteri, sponges and hydroids on Atrina. Asterias rubens, 

187 Solaster endeca, Porania pulvillus, Ophiocomina nigra. Atrina becomes 


A167 26/09/2010 97 

A169 26/09/2010 59 - 56 

A174 26/09/2010 

175 - 

191 

A177 24/09/2010 67.8 

A178 23/09/2010 

220 - 

185 

Mud with burrows. Pennatula phosphorea, Sabella pavonina, Turritella 

communis, Nephrops norvegicus, Furniculina quadrangularis, Cerianthus 

lloydii. 

Fine sand with burrows and Cerianthus lloydii. Boulder with Balanus sp., 

Turritella communis, Goneplax rhomboides, Munida rugosa, Callionymus 

sp. 

Mud with abundant dead Modiolus shells. ?Starfish and a swarm of 

mysids, Sabella pavonina, Salmacina dysteri, Urticina eques. 

Burrowed muddy sand with abundant holes. Nephrops norvegicus, 

Turritella communis, Pennatula phosphorea, Paguridae, Munida rugosa. 

Moved onto more cobbles and then boulders with Porania pulvillus, 

Alcyonium digitatum, Swiftia pallida. 

Silty bedrock, boulders, cobbles, gravel and sand. ?Thecocarpus 

myriophyllum, Urticina felina, Sabella pavonina, Echinus esculentus, 

Swiftia pallida, Axinella infundibuliformis/Phakellia, Alcyonium digitatum, 

Metridium senile, Salmacina dysteri, Porania pulvillus. 



SS.SMx.CMx 





107

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A180 23/09/2010 

A182 23/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

108 - 

101 

120 - 

122 

A184 23/09/2010 118 

A185 23/09/2010 

Notes 

Rubble slope of silty boulders, cobbles, pebbles and gravel. Axinella 

infundibuliformis, Sabella pavonina, Asterias rubens, Caryophyllia smithii, 

Corynactis viridis, Echinus esculentus, Phakelia ventilabrum, Henricia 

sp., Salmacina dysteri, Parazoanthus anguicomus, Urticina felina, 

Nemertesia ramosa, Swiftia pallida, Luidia ciliaris. 

Burrowed mud with scattered large and small boulders and occasional 

patches of bedrock. Nephrops norvegicus, Leptometra celtica, gadoid, 

turf on boulders, Metridium senile, Swiftia pallida, Pennatula phosphorea, 

Cerianthus lloydii, Munida rugosa, Leptometra celtica, ?Parazoanthus 

anguicomus, Axinella infundibuliformis, Funiculina quadrangularis. Up 

from mud. 

Burrowed muddy fine sand. Leptometra celtica aggregations, Munida 

rugosa, Metridium senile. Occasional boulders with Caryophyllia 

smithii/Balanus crenatus, Phakellia ventilabrum, Paguridae 





A184 23/09/2010 124.0 Burrows. SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

A184 23/09/2010 128.0 

Burrowed muddy fine sand. Nephrops norvegicus, Leptometra celtica, 

Funiculina quadrangularis, Pennatula phosphorea. 


Cobbles and boulders, very silty. Echinus esculentus, gadoids, Porania 

pulvillus, Caryophyllia smithii, Leptometra celtica, Axinella 

113 - infundibuliformis, Cancer pagurus, Salmacina dysteri, Paguridae, 

114 Monodaeus couchi, Urticina eques (10:59), Nemertesia antennina, 

CR.LCR.BrAs 

Henricia sp., Phakelia ventilabrum, Solaster endeca, ?Iophonopsis, ? 

Securiflustra securifrons, Munida rugosa, Neptunea antiqua. 

A185 23/09/2010 115.0 Burrowed mud. SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Fine sand with silty gravel and pebbles. Munida rugosa, Turritella 

communis, Urticina felina, Macropodia sp., Cerianthus lloydii, Sabella SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

pavonina, Nemertesia antennina. 

A191 24/09/2010 88 

A191 24/09/2010 79.0 

More cobbles and boulders. Caryophyllia smithii, Salmacina dysteri, 

Swiftia pallida, hydroid turf, Asterias rubens, sponge crusts, Porania 

pulvillus, ?Aequipecten opercularis, Liocarcinus depurator, ?Iophonopsis, 

Nemertesia ramosa. 


A193 26/09/2010 68 - 63 

Muddy sand with abundant cobbles and pebbles. Munida rugosa, small 

pagurids, Turritella communis, Sabella pavonina, silty hydroids. 


A193 26/09/2010 64.0 Nephrops norvegicus ground with no pebbles - Up. SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Very silty rock and silty deposits. Some shell debris. Alcyonium 

A195 22/09/2010 229 

digitatum, Luidia ciliaris, Ophiocomina nigra, possible Atrina near start 


(11:27), Iophonopsis, Sabella pavonina, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia 


palliata, Solaster endeca, Fish indet., Echinus esculentus, Neptunea 

antiqua. 

108

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 

A195 22/09/2010 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

225 - 

218 

A195 22/09/2010 140 

A195 22/09/2010 

153 - 

187 

Notes 

Atrina fragilis, Salmacina dysteri, Munida rugosa, Tubularia indivisa? 

Silty fine sand and cobbles with small boulders and patches of bedrock. 

Echinus esculentus, fish, Ophiocomina nigra, Porania pulvillus, Neptunea 

antiqua, Pomatoceros sp., Sabella pavonina, Luidia ciliaris, Astropecten 

opercularis, Pagurus prideaux, Cerianthus lloydii, Salmacina dysteri, 

Asterias rubens, Adamsia palliata. 

Fewer boulders. Silty shell debris and fine sand with more boulders @ 

14:09 162 m. Sabella pavonina, Salmacina dysteri, Iophonopsis, 

Cerianthus lloydiii, Porania pulvillus, Macropodia sp., Sagartiogeton 

laceratus, Echinus esculentus, Luidia ciliaris, Urticina felina, cod, ?Hyas 

araneus, ?Myxicola infundibulum, Ophiocomina nigra, Henricia sp., 

Pagurus sp., Munida rugosa. 





A195 22/09/2010 198.0 Atrina fragilis at end of drop. Urticina felina. SS.SBR.SMus.Afrag 

A196 26/09/2010 

161 - Muddy shell gravel. Urticina eques, Salmacina dysteri, Neptunea 

159 antiqua, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia palliata, Sabella pavonina. 

SS.SMx.CMx 

Boulders and bedrock with silt in between. Leptometra celtica, Porella 

A200 23/09/2010 83 - 91 

Neptunea antiqua, gadoids. 

compressa, Caryophyllia smithii, Echinus esculentus, Munida rugosa, SS.SMu.CSaMu.Lcelt 

Cerianthus lloydii, Nemertesia antennina, ?Metridium senile or ?sponge, CR.LCR.BrAs 

A202 23/09/2010 

A204 26/09/2010 

106 - 

126 

192 - 

178 

A206 24/09/2010 72 

A206 24/09/2010 59.0 

A209 26/09/2010 

207 - 

190 

A209 26/09/2010 202.0 

A210 24/09/2010 

187 - 

184 

Cobbles on muddy sand. Munida rugosa, Urticina eques, Echinus 

esculentus, Porania pulvillus, Salmacina dysteri, gadoid, Leptometra 

celtica, Axinella infundiculiformis, Sabella pavonina, Nemertesia 

antennina, Metridium senile, Caryophyllia smithii, Cancer pagurus, single 

Atrina fragilis. 

Muddy sand, boulders and cobbles. Echinus esculentus, mysids, 

Salmacina dysteri, Urticina eques, Munida rugosa, Paguridae, 

Sagartiogeton laceratus/Cerianthus lloydii, Sabella pavonina, ?Henricia 

sp., ?Raspailia, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia palliata. 

Burrowed muddy sand with shell debris, cobbles and pebbles. Nephrops 

norvegicus, Munida rugosa. 

Boulder pile and bedrock; Caryophyllia smithii, Swiftia pallida, Asterias 

rubens, Metridium senile. Atrina sighted. 

Muddy sand with boulders cobbles and bedrock outcrops. Echinus 

esculentus, Urticina felina. 

Fairly barren sand ripples. ?Anemones, Metridium senile, Ophiocomina 

nigra. 

Burrowed mud with holes and Nephrops norvegicus. 

CR.LCR.BrAs 




CR.LCR.BrAs 

SS.SSa.CFiSa 


109

Tow Id no 

Tow Data 

point 

Date 


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Notes 


A212 26/09/2010 52 - 42 

Coarse sand with pebbles and cobbles. Fairly barren, ?dredged. Munida 

rugosa, Ophiocomina nigra, fish indet. 

SS.SCS.CCS 

Muddy gravel plain with shell and cobbles. Munida rugosa, Luidia 

ciliaris, Inachus sp., Neptunea antiqua, Pagurus prideaux, Adamsia 

A213 23/09/2010 

206 - palliata, Aequipecten opercularis, Echinus esculentus, Porania pulvillus, 

187 Ophiocomina nigra, Buccinum undatum, Sabella pavonina, 


Sagartiogeton laceratus, Urticina felina, yellow sponge, Cancer pagurus, 

Salmacina dysteri. 

Muddy gravel with frequent cobble and shell. Generally barren, looked 

A217 23/09/2010 54.0 dredged. Munida rugosa common, Cancer pagurus, Aequipecten SS.SMx.CMx 

opercularis, Balanus crenatus, Luidia ciliaris. 

A219 23/09/2010 54 - 63 

Sandy gravel with occasional cobbles and shells. Liocarcinus depurator 

x1, otherwise barren and almost certainly dredged. 

SS.SCS.CCS 

A223 23/09/2010 

112 - Muddy sand with burrows and holes. Nephrops norvegicus (C), 

110 Cerianthus lloydii (R), whiting. 


Muddy sand and shell gravel with dead shell and occasional cobbles. 

A225 26/09/2010 54 

Occasional burrows at start of tow. Munida rugosa, Turritella communis, 

Goneplax rhomboides (several seen), dead Atrina shells, Pecten 


maximus, Nephrops norvegicus. 

A225 51.0 Up from burrowed mud with Nephrops norvegicus SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Muddy sand with shell and boulders. Sabella pavonina, Pagurus 

A228 26/09/2010 

antiqua, Alcyonium digitatum on small boulder. 

149 - prideaux, Adamsia palliata, Atrina fragilis, Turritella communis, Munida 

153 rugosa, Swiftia pallida on boulder, fish, Buccinum undatum, Neptunea 


A228 26/09/2010 154.4 

154 - 

149 

Muddy sand with boulders and pebbles. Atrina fragilis, dead Atrina 

shells, Cerianthus lloydii, Lanice conchilega, Salmacina dysteri, Echinus 

esculentus, Monodaeus couchi, silty hydroids, Inachus sp., Hyas sp. 


110

Table A1.3 

Summary of sampling undertaken at each diving location surveyed during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Site 

no 

Date Site name Dive no. 

1 29/08/2010 Canna Zostera Bed 

2 30/08/2010 Great Wall of Canna 

20100829_01_CMH/LS 

20100829_02_FB/TSM 

20100830_01_CMH/LS 

20100830_02_FB/TSM 

3 30/08/2010 Compass Hill, NE Canna 20100830_03_TSM/LS 

4 30/08/2010 An Coroghan, Canna 20100830_04_CMH/FB 

5 31/08/2010 SE tip of Sanday 

20100831_01_TSM/FB 

20100831_02_CMH/LS 

6 31/08/2010 Reef NE Kilmory Bay, Rum 20100831_03_TSM/FB 

6 31/08/2010 Reef NE Kilmory Bay, Rum 20100831_04_CMH/LS 

7 01/09/2010 W An-t-Each, N E Canna 20100901_01_CMH/LS 

8 01/09/2010 E An-t-Each, N E Canna 20100901_02_TSM/FB 

9 01/09/2010 

W of Suileabhaig, S. 

Sanday 

20100901_03_CMH/LS 

10 01/09/2010 A'Bhrideanach, SW Rum 20100901_04_TSM/FB 

11 02/09/2010 

12 02/09/2010 

13 02/09/2010 

E of Rubha Carr-innis, 

Canna 

NW Sgeir a Phuirt, Outside 

Canna Harbour 

Sgeir a'Phuirt, Outside 

Canna Harbour 

20100902_01_CMH/LS 

20100902_02_TSM/FB 

20100902_03_CMH/LS 

14 02/09/2010 W of Guirdil, Rum 20100902_04_TSM/FB 

15 03/09/2010 Kilmory Bay Zostera, Rum 20100903_01_CMH/TSM/FB 

Position 

(Decimal 0 ) 

57.059 0 N 

6.48984 0 W 

57.0451 0 N 

6.464 0 W 

57.0654 0 N 

6.4833 0 W 

57.0596 0 N 

6.4859 0 W 

57.0422 0 N 

6.46717 0 W 

57.0618 0 N 

6.34762 0 W 

57.0636 0 N 

6.3453 0 W 

57.0704 0 N 

6.48925 0 W 

57.0703 0 N 

6.48778 0 W 

57.0431 0 N 

6.49703 0 W 

57.0102 0 N 

6.46012 0 W 

57.0573 0 N 

6.48488 0 W 

57.0546 0 N 

6.48108 0 W 

57.0538 0 N 

6.47795 0 W 

57.0266 0 N 

6.43372 0 W 

57.0532 0 N 

6.35493 0 W 

Work completed Photos (No. taken)/Video Site type Surveyors 

Phase 2; Mapping; Core 

samples; Photography; 

Video 

Phase 2; Photography; 

Video 


Video 

Phase 2 


Video 

LS Nikon D200 Macro (9) 

FB Olympus WA (22) 

Video CMH 



Video TSM 


Video TSM 

None 


Video TSM 

Zostera 

Swiftia; 

Steep 

gravel/sand 

Burrowed mud; 

Kelp forest 

Circalittoral cliff 

CMH; TSM; 

FB; LS 

CMH; TSM; 

FB; LS 

TSM; LS 

CMH; FB 

CMH; TSM; 

FB; LS 

Phase 2: Video FB Olympus WA (20) Kelp forest TSM; FB 

Phase 2; Photography LS Nikon D200 Macro (20) Gravel/Kelp CMH; LS 

Phase 2; Photography LS Nikon D200 Macro (19) 

Phase 2: Video 

Video TSM 

Steep gravel 

slope 

Circalittoral 

Rock outcrops 

CMH; LS 

TSM; FB 

Phase 2 None Kelp forest CMH; LS 

Phase 2: Video FB Olympus WA (8) Kelp forest TSM; FB 

Phase 2; Photography LS Nikon D200 Macro (15) Burrowed mud CMH; LS 

Phase 2: Video 

Phase 2 


Video TSM 

Video CMH 

Burrowed mud 

Faunal 

dominated cliff 

TSM; FB 

CMH; LS 

Phase 2 FB Olympus WA (10) Gravel TSM; FB 

Phase 2; Mapping; Core 

samples; Photography 

Zostera 

CMH; TSM; 

FB; LS 

111

Table A1.4 

Brief habitat descriptions from the MNCR-style Phase 2 diving studies - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 

Dive 1.1 29/08/10 1:01 0 -4 

Surveyors Biotope Habitat title Description 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 


Zostera marina bed on 

muddy sand @ 0 - 3 m 

bcd 

Small bay with Zostera marina (Rare-Frequent) from shore to 

approximately 3 m bcd depth on fine sand. Plants generally had a 

short blade length. Sand had occasional Cerianthus lloydii and 

Pagurus bernhardus. There were scattered clumps of filamentous 

brown algae and Ceramium sp. Ulva and Enteromorpha were 

frequent. The Zostera plants had many epiphytic amphipods and 

Lacuna vincta. There were several patches of dense Zostera at the 

northern edge of the bay. 

Dive 2.1 30/08/10 2:01 6 - 19 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 


Dense kelp forest of 

mixed species from 6 - 

19 m bcd 

Lower limit of individual kelp plants was c. 23 m (L. saccharina) with 

main forest finishing at c. 20 m. There was mixed L. hyperborea, 

L. saccharina and S. polyschides, with L. saccharina mostly deeper. 

It was all very silty and the fronds were very large. There was very 

little grazing so there was a dense red algal understorey dominated 

by Delesseria sanguinea, Phycodrys rubens, Dictyota dichotoma and 

Heterosiphonia plumosa. Corynactis viridis was common and there 

were algal and bryozoan crusts. Occasional gravel patches. 

Sagartia elegans was present on the rock and there was rare 

Alcyonium digitatum on the kelp stipes. 

Dive 2.2 30/08/10 2:02 19 - 24 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 


Upper circalittoral 

bedrock and boulders 

with scattered red algae 

from 19 - 24 m bcd 

Steep slope of bedrock and boulders with Corynactis viridis, 

Caryophyllia smithii, algal and bryozoan crusts and occasional red 

algae. Kallymenia reniformis, Rhodophyllis werneri and Dictyota 

dichotoma were all present. There were some patches of bryozoan 

turf and occasional Sagartia elegans. Everything was very silty. 

Dive 2.3 30/08/10 2:03 24 - 34 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 

CR.HCR.XFa.SwiLgAs 

Circalittoral cliff with 

Corynactis viridis and 

Swiftia pallida from 24 - 

34 m bcd 

Bedrock wall with small ledges and numerous small overhangs, 

fissures and crevices. Much of the rock surface was covered with 

Corynactis viridis and bryozoan turf, with Securiflustra securifrons 

common. There were frequent large Cliona celata and colonies of 

Nemertesia antennina. Swiftia pallida was present below about 34 m 

bcd. Overhangs had scyphistomae, small hydroids, Epizoanthus 

couchii and Parazoanthus anguicomus. Sagartia elegans was 

frequent on the open rock. Palinurus elephas, Homarus gammarus 

and Cancer pagurus were all present. There were several axinellid 

sponges below about 30 m. 

112

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 


Dive 3.1 30/08/10 3:01 3 TSM; LS IR.HIR.KSed.Sac 

Bedrock and boulders 

with Laminaria species 

and Saccorhiza 

polyschides at 3 m bcd 

Kelp zone on bedrock and boulders was dominated by Saccorhiza. 

There were few epiphytic red algae. 

Dive 3.2 30/08/10 3:02 3 - 21.5 TSM; LS SS.SSa.IMuSa.SsubNhom 

Sand slope with 

Cerianthus lloydii from 3 - 

21.5 m bcd 

Steep sand slope extending from the kelp zone at 4.5 m to 23 m and 

beyond. Cerianthus lloydii was dominant with Lanice conchilega 

present. Occasional boulders supported colonies of Metridium senile. 

The sand became more rippled where it levelled off at the top of the 

slope. Arenicola marina was present above about 9 m. Cancer 

pagurus were common on the slope buried in the sediment. There 

was a diatom film over the shallower sediment. 

Dive 4.1 30/08/10 4:01 4.5 - 10.5 CMH; FB IR.LIR.K.Lsac.Ft 

Dive 4.2 30/08/10 4:02 10.5 - 17.5 CMH; FB SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 

Dive 4.3 30/08/10 4:03 17.5 - 23.5 CMH; FB SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Laminaria saccharina 

forest on cobble, pebble 

and fine sandy sediment 

from 4.5 - 10.5 m bcd 

Mixed shelly sand with 

diatom film, Cerianthus 

lloydii and juvenile 

dragonets from 10.5 - 

17.5 m bcd 

Mixed shelly sand with 

crustacean burrows and 

burrowing anemones 

from 17.5 - 23.5 m bcd 

Small boulders, bedrock and cobble with dense capeform kelp forest. 

Laminaria saccharina dominated with L. hyperborea and 

S. polyschides both present. Foliose and encrusting algae were 

common. Site was very silty. L. hyperborea dominated above 5 m. 

Very steep sediment slope of muddy sand with a significant cover of 

diatoms (c. 70%). Cerianthus lloydii was common and there were 

numerous juvenile dragonets. 

Very steep slope of muddy sand with occasional burrows. Cerianthus 

lloydii and Sagartiogeton laceratus were common. There were 

numerous Turritella shells with Pagurus prideaux and Adamsia 

carciniopados. Occasional burrows had Goneplax rhomboides. 

Dive 5.1 31/08/10 5:01 10 - 16 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 


Exposed, tide-swept kelp 

forest in 10 - 16 m bcd 

Dense, tide-swept Laminaria hyperborea forest with 5 plants per sq. 

metre. Heterosiphonia plumosa, Dictyotoa dichotoma, Callophyllis 

laciniata, Acrosorium venulosum and Pterosiphonia parasitica were 

dominant in the understorey. The dominant animal species included 

Corynactis viridis and Sagartia elegans. The kelp fronds were 

covered with Obelia geniculata and Membranipora membranacea. 

113

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 


Dive 5.2 31/08/10 5:02 16 - 21 

Dive 5.3 31/08/10 5:03 21 - 34 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 

CMH: LS; 

TSM; FB 


CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt 

Dive 6.1 31/08/10 6:01 11 - 13 TSM; FB IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

Dive 6.2 31/08/10 6:02 15 - 21 CMH; LS CR.HCR.XFa.SpNemAdia 

Dive 7.1 01/09/10 7:01 11 - 13 CMH; LS IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR 

Expose upper circalittoral 

bedrock with Corynactis 

viridis from 16 - 21 m bcd 

Steep and vertical 

circalittoral bedrock with 

Corynactis viridis and 

Tubularia indivisa from 

21 - 34 m bcd 

Gradually sloping 

bedrock with Laminaria 

hyperborea forest from 

11 - 13 m bcd 

Cobble and gravel plain 

dominated by hydroids 

and occasional red algae 

at 15 - 21 m bcd 

Silty rock dominated by 

Laminaria saccharina, 

other kelps and red algae 

at 11 - 13 m bcd 

Upper circalittoral bedrock slope with patches of shell gravel, with 

about 25% cover of foliose red algae. There was a diverse biota with 

Corynactis viridis dominating on vertical faces. Dominant algae were 

Kallymenia reniformis, Rhodophyllis werneri and encrusting 

Corallinaceae. 

A steep slope led to a vertical wall dominated by Corynactis viridis 

with frequent scattered clumps of Tubularia indivisa, Nemertesia 

antennina and Securiflustra securifrons. The Tubularia clumps 

supported other hydroids and bryozoans. The rock surface was very 

pitted and had numerous encrusting sponges and clumps of 

bryozoan turf. Parazoanthus anguicomus was present. Juvenile 

Antedon bifida were frequent although very few adults were seen. 

There were several cuckoo wrasse on the cliff and ballan wrasse at 

the top. 

Kelp forest of a gently sloping reef with igneous rock strata angled 

with regular vertical faces of 50 cm in height. Shell gravel pockets 

and scattered boulders. Dense Laminaria hyperborea and foliose 

algal cover of c. 30%. 

Plain of gravel at base of bedrock reef with scattered and numerous 

cobbles, small boulders and dead shells. Hydroids were frequent and 

conspicuous, particularly Nemertesia antennina and N. ramosa and 

Halecium beanii. Crisiids and Scrupocellaria scruposa formed a turf 

in places and were also tangled round hydroids. Pycnogonids and 

Caprellids were common on the hydroids. There were scattered red 

algae particularly Rhodophyllis werneri and R. divaricata and 

Acrosorium venulosum. 

Low-lying, very silty rock covered with large plants of Laminaria 

saccharina and dense red algae. There were occasional Saccorhiza 

polyschides and Laminaria hyperborea was more common away from 

the rock-sediment boundary. Dominant reds were Phycodrys rubens, 

Delesseria sanguinea, Callophyllis laciniata and Phyllophora crispa. 

There were patches of shelly gravel between the low rock ridges. 

114

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 

Dive 7.2 01/09/10 7:02 13 - 19 CMH; LS SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Gv 

Dive 7.3 01/09/10 7:03 19 - 28 CMH; LS SS.SMx.CMx.ClloMx 


Gradually sloping tide 

swept gravel plain with 

scattered Laminaria 

saccharina and foliose 

algae at 13 - 19 m bcd 

Steep slope of 

circalittoral shell gravel 

with Cerianthus lloydii 

and Lanice conchilega at 

19 - 28 m bcd 

Plain of mixed gravel, shell debris and cobbles with scattered large 

plants of Laminaria saccharina and frequent red algae. Desmarestia 

aculeata was occasional. 

Very steep sediment slope (c. 40 0 ) of mixed gravel - coarse basalt, 

shell and sand - and occasional cobbles and hydroids. Fauna was 

very sparse with occasional hydroids and bryozoans on the cobbles. 

Juvenile dragonets were frequent. Cerianthus lloydii and Lanice 

conchilega were common / frequent. The sediment had an 

appearance of having been dredged. 

Dive 8.1 01/09/10 8:01 18 - 22 TSM; FB CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec 

Dive 8.2 01/09/10 8:02 22 - 36 TSM; FB CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup 

Dive 9.1 01/09/10 9:01 10 - 20 CMH; LS IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypFa 

Steep bedrock with 

Caryophyllia smithii and 

Parasmittina trispinosa at 

18 - 22m bcd 

Steep and vertical 

circalittoral bedrock with 

Caryophyllia smithii, 

bryozoans and 

Parazoanthus 

anguicomus from 22 - 

36 m bcd 

Laminaria hyperborea 

forest on bedrock from 

10 - 20 m bcd 

Very steep slope of bedrock, mostly covered with a layer of shell 

gravel but with some vertical and overhanging areas. The dominant 

species included Caryophyllia smithii, Parasmittina trispinosa and 

Securiflustra securifrons. Deepest algae included Rhodophyllis 

werneri, Rhodymenia ardissonei, Kallymenia reniformis and 

Plocamium cartilagineum. 

Very steep rocky slope with vertical in the lower circalittoral, mostly 

covered with a sprinkling of shell gravel. Conspicuous species 

included Caryophyllia smithii and Cellaria sp. which were the 

dominant turf formers. Vertical and overhanging faces were generally 

dominated by Parazoanthus anguicomus. Scattered large sponge 

growths present included Myxilla incrustans and Cliona celata. Other 

conspicuous species included Parasmittina trispinosa and 

?Halopteris catharina. 

Gradually sloping and level bedrock with dense L. hyperborea. There 

were very tall plants down to about 15 m, with shorter and less dense 

plants below this. There was little evidence of grazing with a dense 

algal understory. The site was exposed to wave action with 

Corynactis viridis, occasional sponges and Alcyonium digitatum on 

the rock. The dominant foliose algae were Delesseria sanguinea, 

Phycodrys rubens and Callophyllis laciniata. 

115

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 


Dive 10.1 01/09/10 10:01 4.2 - 6.2 TSM; FB IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

Laminaria hyperborea 

forest on bedrock from 4- 

6 m bcd 

Dense Laminaria hyperborea forest with thalli of all ages making up 

the population, and the main canopy formed of rough stout-shafted 

plants. The seabed rock was coated in encrusting coralline algae 

with approximately 30% cover of foliose algae. Crisiid bryozoa were 

common. The stipes were covered with Halichondria panicea, 

Membranoptera alata and Ptilota gunneri. Common rock species 

included Cryptopleura ramosa, Kallymenia reniformis, Plocamium 

cartilagineum and Odonthalia dentata. Vertical surfaces supported 

Alcyonium digitatum. Obelia geniculata and Membranipora 

membranacea on the fronds. 

Dive 11.1 02/09/10 11:01 22.5 - 28.5 CMH; LS SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Dive 12.1 02/09/10 12:01 21 - 27 TSM; FB SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax 

Burrowed mud with 

Nephrops norvegicus 

from 22.5 - 28.5 m bcd 

Burrowed mud with 

Nephrops norvegicus 


Gradual slope of heavily worked and burrowed mud. Major species 

were Nephrops norvegicus and Sagartiogeton spp. (both species 

present) but there were numerous other burrows. One Virgularia 

mirabilis seen. Cancer pagurus and Liocarcinus depurator both 

present. 

Gradual slope of heavily burrowed mud characterised by burrows of 

Nephrops norvegicus and Goneplax rhomboides. Sagartiogeton 

laceratus was frequent but other species were scarce. Cancer 

pagurus and Pecten maximus both recorded. A diatom film was 

common on the sediment surface between 25 and 26 m. 

Dive 13.1 02/09/10 13:01 3 - 7 CMH; LS IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR 

Dive 13.2 02/09/10 13:02 7 - 24 CMH; LS CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup 

Rock on skerry top 

dominated by Laminaria 

hyperborea and 

Saccorhiza polyschides 


Cliff face dominated by 

Metridium senile from 7 - 

24 m bcd 

Dense kelp forest on top of the skerry with Laminaria hyperborea 

dominant. Saccorhiza was frequent and Desmarestia aculeata was 

common along the bottom edge of the forest. Corynactis viridis was 

common on the rock underneath the kelp with coralline and red algal 

crusts and brown algal crusts including Aglaozonia. There was a 

reasonable diversity of foliose algae present - not heavily grazed. 

This zone was not surveyed in detail. 

A cliff face dominated by Metridium senile with buttresses and small 

overhangs. Parazoanthus anguicomus was abundant on the lower 3 - 

4 m of the cliff while Corynactis viridis was common on the shallower 

parts. Edges that projected from the wall supported Alcyonium 

digitatum. Parasmittina trispinosa and algal crusts were generally 

abundant and there were scattered red algae down to approximately 

20 m. 

116

Site No. Date 

Habitat Id 

(Site 

No:Hab No) 

Depth 

(m bcd) 


Dive 14.1 02/09/10 14:01 20.5 -22 TSM; FB SS.SMp.Mrl.Pcal 

Tide-swept gravel and 

pebble plain in the upper 

circalittoral from 20.5 - 

22 m bcd 

Tide-swept gravel and pebble plain in the upper circalittoral with 

scattered cobbles and boulders. Algae were a feature with scattered 

foliose reds including Acrosorium uncinatum, Kallymenia reniformis, 

Rhodophyllis werneri, Scinaia interrupta, a few maerl twigs and 

encrusting calcareous and dark red algae. Conspicuous animals 

included scattered hydroids including Nemertesia spp., Halopteris 

catharina and Antenella secundaria, Epizoanthus couchii, 

Pomatoceros, Galathea sp., prawns with red markings, Lanice, 

Sabella, Pecten and Balanus crenatus. 

Dive 15.1 03/09/10 15:01 4 - 6.5 

CMH; LS; 

TSM; FB 


Zostera marina bed on 

fine sand @ 4 - 6.5m bcd 

Medium to fine sandy seabed with patches of Zostera marina. The 

plants were fairly rich in epibiota, including coralline crusts 

(specimen), Ceramium secundatum and Nitophyllum (small 

specimen). Stalked jellyfish were occasional. Anemonia viridis was 

present. Both Pagurus prideaux and Pagurus bernhardus were 

frequent on the sediment. There were conspicuous Arenicola 

burrows and Sabella pavonina were noted. 

117

Table A1.5 

Species recorded (matrix format) during the shallow water video sampling - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

D D D D D D D D D D 

D D D D D D D D 

D D D D D D D D D D 

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D 

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

D D 1 1 1 1 1 1 D 1 1 D D D D D 

MCS 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Species 

1 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 _ _ 1 1 1 1 1 

Code 

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

_ _ 2 1 5 5 5 5 _ 7 7 _ _ _ _ _ 

2 2 2 2 2 3 5 5 5 6 

2 3 . . . . . . 4 . . 8 9 9 9 9 

. . . . . . . . . . 

2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 

1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 1 

Suberites ficus C2210 P 

Cliona celata C3020 P P P 

Haliclona sp. C8540 P 

Alcyonium digitatum D10240 P P P P P P 

Virgularia mirabilis D10560 P P 

Cerianthus lloydii D10750 P A P P P P P C P P 

Arachnanthus sarsi D10920 R 

Sagartiogeton laceratus D12470 P A A 

Caryophyllia smithii D13700 P P P P 

Tubularia indivisa D1440 P 

Halecium halecinum D5260 

Nemertesia antennina D5970 P P P P P P P P 

Nemertesia ramosa D5990 P P 

Arenicola marina P15760 P P P P P 

Lanice conchilega P20310 P P 

Sabella pavonina P22610 

Pomatoceros sp. P23020 P P P 

Nephrops norvegicus S23650 P R 

Paguridae indet. S24440 P 

Pagurus bernhardus S24650 P 

Munida rugosa S24950 P 

Hyas araneus S25590 P 

Inachus sp. S25750 

Cancer pagurus S26460 P P P P 

Liocarcinus depurator S26690 P 

Necora puber S26720 P 

Carcinus maenas S26900 P 

Pecten maximus W18090 P P P 

Gibbula cineraria W1930 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

5 

. 

1 

118

Species 

MCS 

Code 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

7 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

8 

Calliostoma zizyphinum W2000 P 

Turritella communis W4420 P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

Parasmittina trispinosa Y3770 P P P 

Membranipora membranacea Y6640 P 

Securiflustra securifrons Y7100 P P 

Scrupocellaria Y8360 

Bugula flabellata Y8720 

Asterias rubens ZB1900 P P P 

Marthasterias glacialis ZB2000 P 

Amphiura sp. ZB2830 P P P 

Ophiura ophiura ZB3150 P 

Echinus esculentus ZB3620 P P P P P P P P 

Astropecten irregularis ZB410 P 

Holothuria forskali ZB4520 P P P 

Aslia lefevrei ZB4790 P 

Luidia ciliaris ZB670 P 

Pollachius pollachius ZG2080 P 

Labrus mixtus ZG6100 P P 

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis ZG6610 R 

Gobiusculus flavescens ZG7280 P 

Pomatoschistus sp. ZG7400 P 

Heterosiphonia plumosa ZM10390 

Odonthalia dentata ZM10970 P 

Scinaia sp. ZM1820 

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides ZM2080 P 

Dilsea carnosa ZM2560 P P P 

Callophyllis laciniata ZM3230 P P 

Kallymenia reniformis ZM3280 P P P 

Corallinaceae ZM3840 P P P P P P P 

Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 


Gracilaria gracilis ZM5480 P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

3 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

5 

. 

1 

119

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Chondrus crispus ZM6110 P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

7 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

Plocamium cartilagineum ZM6310 

Cryptopleura ramosa ZM9500 P P 

Delesseria sanguinea ZM9550 P P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

Ectocarpaceae indet. ZR30 

Dictyota dichotoma ZR4570 P P 

Desmarestia aculeata ZR4970 P P P P P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

9 

Laminaria hyperborea ZR6330 P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 

Laminaria saccharina ZR6360 P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 

Saccorhiza polyschides ZR6460 P P P P 

Alaria esculenta ZR6520 P P P 

Fucus serratus ZR6740 P 

Halidrys siliquosa ZR7160 

Ulva sp. ZS2400 P P P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

2 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

3 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

5 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

7 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

1 

8 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

0 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

1 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

2 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

5 

. 

1 

120

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Suberites ficus C2210 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

7 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

5 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

7 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

Cliona celata C3020 

Haliclona sp. C8540 

Alcyonium digitatum D10240 P P P 

Virgularia mirabilis D10560 

Cerianthus lloydii D10750 P P P P P P P 

Arachnanthus sarsi D10920 

Sagartiogeton laceratus D12470 

Caryophyllia smithii D13700 

Tubularia indivisa D1440 

Halecium halecinum D5260 

Nemertesia antennina D5970 P P P P P 

Nemertesia ramosa D5990 P P P P P P P P 

Arenicola marina P15760 P P 

Lanice conchilega P20310 P P P 

Sabella pavonina P22610 P 

Pomatoceros sp. P23020 P P P P P 

Nephrops norvegicus S23650 

Paguridae indet. S24440 


Munida rugosa S24950 

Hyas araneus S25590 

Inachus sp. S25750 P 

Cancer pagurus S26460 P 

Liocarcinus depurator S26690 P P 


Carcinus maenas S26900 

Pecten maximus W18090 P P 

Gibbula cineraria W1930 P 

Calliostoma zizyphinum W2000 

Turritella communis W4420 

121

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Parasmittina trispinosa Y3770 P 

Membranipora membranacea Y6640 

Securiflustra securifrons Y7100 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

2 

Scrupocellaria Y8360 P 

Bugula flabellata Y8720 P 

Asterias rubens ZB1900 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

7 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

1 

Marthasterias glacialis ZB2000 P P 

Amphiura sp. ZB2830 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

5 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

Ophiura ophiura ZB3150 P P P C 

Echinus esculentus ZB3620 P P P P P P 

Astropecten irregularis ZB410 

Holothuria forskali ZB4520 

Aslia lefevrei ZB4790 

Luidia ciliaris ZB670 

Pollachius pollachius ZG2080 

Labrus mixtus ZG6100 

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis ZG6610 

Gobiusculus flavescens ZG7280 

Pomatoschistus sp. ZG7400 

Heterosiphonia plumosa ZM10390 P P 

Odonthalia dentata ZM10970 

Scinaia sp. ZM1820 

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides ZM2080 P P 

Dilsea carnosa ZM2560 

Callophyllis laciniata ZM3230 P 

Kallymenia reniformis ZM3280 P P P P 

Corallinaceae ZM3840 P P 

Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 ? 

Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 ? 

Gracilaria gracilis ZM5480 P P 

Chondrus crispus ZM6110 

Plocamium cartilagineum ZM6310 P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

7 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

122

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Cryptopleura ramosa ZM9500 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

7 

Delesseria sanguinea ZM9550 P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

2 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

2 

Ectocarpaceae indet. ZR30 P 

Dictyota dichotoma ZR4570 P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

5 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

6 

Desmarestia aculeata ZR4970 P P P P P 

Laminaria hyperborea ZR6330 P P P P P P P P P P P P P 

Laminaria saccharina ZR6360 P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 

Saccorhiza polyschides ZR6460 P P P P P 

Alaria esculenta ZR6520 

Fucus serratus ZR6740 

Halidrys siliquosa ZR7160 P 

Ulva sp. ZS2400 P P P 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

7 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

8 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

3 

9 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

0 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

4 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

5 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

2 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

3 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

6 

. 

4 

D 

D 

1 

_ 

4 

7 

. 

1 

123

Species 

MCS 

Code 




Alcyonium digitatum D10240 


Cerianthus lloydii D10750 


Sagartiogeton laceratus D12470 

Caryophyllia smithii D13700 

Tubularia indivisa D1440 

Halecium halecinum D5260 P 

Nemertesia antennina D5970 P P 

Nemertesia ramosa D5990 P P P 

Arenicola marina P15760 

Lanice conchilega P20310 

Sabella pavonina P22610 

Pomatoceros sp. P23020 P P P P P 

Nephrops norvegicus S23650 

Paguridae indet. S24440 

Pagurus bernhardus S24650 

Munida rugosa S24950 P P 



Cancer pagurus S26460 P P 

Liocarcinus depurator S26690 


Carcinus maenas S26900 

Pecten maximus W18090 

Gibbula cineraria W1930 

Calliostoma zizyphinum W2000 

Turritella communis W4420 

Parasmittina trispinosa Y3770 

Membranipora membranacea Y6640 

Securiflustra securifrons Y7100 

M 

0 

1 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

2 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

3 

M 

0 

3 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

4 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

5 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

6 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

7 

_ 

1 

124

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Scrupocellaria Y8360 

Bugula flabellata Y8720 

Asterias rubens ZB1900 

Marthasterias glacialis ZB2000 P 


Ophiura ophiura ZB3150 

Echinus esculentus ZB3620 


Holothuria forskali ZB4520 

Aslia lefevrei ZB4790 

Luidia ciliaris ZB670 

Pollachius pollachius ZG2080 

Labrus mixtus ZG6100 P 


Gobiusculus flavescens ZG7280 P 


Heterosiphonia plumosa ZM10390 P 

Odonthalia dentata ZM10970 

Scinaia sp. ZM1820 P 

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides ZM2080 

Dilsea carnosa ZM2560 

Callophyllis laciniata ZM3230 

Kallymenia reniformis ZM3280 P 

Corallinaceae ZM3840 


Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 P P P P P P 

Gracilaria gracilis ZM5480 


Plocamium cartilagineum ZM6310 

Cryptopleura ramosa ZM9500 

Delesseria sanguinea ZM9550 P P 

Ectocarpaceae indet. ZR30 

Dictyota dichotoma ZR4570 

Desmarestia aculeata ZR4970 

M 

0 

1 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

2 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

3 

M 

0 

3 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

4 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

5 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

6 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

7 

_ 

1 

125

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Laminaria hyperborea ZR6330 

M 

0 

1 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

2 

M 

0 

2 

_ 

3 

M 

0 

3 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

4 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

5 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

6 

_ 

1 

M 

0 

7 

_ 

1 

Laminaria saccharina ZR6360 P 

Saccorhiza polyschides ZR6460 

Alaria esculenta ZR6520 

Fucus serratus ZR6740 


Ulva sp. ZS2400 

126

Table A1.6 

Species recorded (matrix format) during the deep water video sampling - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Pachymatisma johnstonia C1670 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

0 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

3 

Suberites ficus C2210 P 

Polymastia boletiformis C2580 P 


A 

1 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

6 

Axinella infundibuliformis C3540 P P 

Phakellia ventilabrum C3720 

Iophonopsis nigricans C6780 P 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

7 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

8 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

9 

Alcyonium digitatum D10240 P P P 

Swiftia pallida D10370 P 

Funiculina quadrangularis D10500 


Pennatula phosphorea D10670 P 

Cerianthus lloydii D10750 P P P P P P P P 

Parazoanthus anguicomus D11160 P 

Urticina felina D11680 P P 

Urticina eques D11690 P P P P P P 

Metridium senile D12250 P P P P 

Sagartiogeton laceratus D12470 P P 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

5 

Adamsia carciniopados D12920 P P P P P P 

Corynactis viridis D13570 

Caryophyllia smithii D13700 P P 

Tubularia indivisa D1440 P P 

Nemertesia antennina D5970 P P P 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

6 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

6 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

2 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

3 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

7 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

3 

1 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

127

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Nemertesia ramosa D5990 P 

Chaetopterus variopedatus P13750 

Lanice conchilega P20310 

Myxicola infundibulum P22270 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

0 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

7 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

8 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

9 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

4 

Sabella pavonina P22610 P P P P P P P P P 

Pomatoceros sp. P23020 P P P P 

Salmacina dysteri P23510 P P P P 

Balanus crenatus R1100 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

5 

Nephrops norvegicus S23650 P P P P P P 

Calocaris or Callianassa 

burrows 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

6 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

6 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

1 

S23780 P P P P 

Paguridae indet. S24440 P P 


Pagurus prideaux S24700 P P P P P P P P P P P 

Munida rugosa S24950 P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 


Inachus sp. S25750 P P P P P 

Inachus dorsettensis S25760 P 

Macropodia sp. S25820 P P 

Cancer pagurus S26460 P P P P P 

Liocarcinus depurator S26690 P P P 

Goneplax rhomboides S27140 

Monodaeus couchi S27200 P 

Atrina fragilis W17250 P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 

Aequipecten opercularis W18050 P P P 

Pecten maximus W18090 P P 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

2 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

3 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

7 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

3 

1 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

128

Species 

MCS 

Code 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

0 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

7 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

8 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

9 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

5 

Turritella communis W4420 P P P 

Aporrhais pespelecani W7000 P 

Buccinum undatum W8440 P P 

Neptunea antiqua W8600 P P P P P 

Alcyonidium diaphanum Y1370 P 

Parasmittina trispinosa Y3770 P 

Porella compressa Y3830 

Flustra foliacea Y6940 P P 

Securiflustra securifrons Y7100 P 

Porania pulvillus ZB1010 P P P 

Solaster endeca ZB1430 P 

Crossaster papposus ZB1490 

Henricia sp. ZB1640 P P P 

Asterias rubens ZB1900 P P 

Leptometra celtica ZB220 P P P P P P 

Ophiocomina nigra ZB2420 P P P P P P 


Ophiura ophiura ZB3150 P P 

Echinus esculentus ZB3620 P P P P P P P P P P P 


Luidia ciliaris ZB670 P P P P P P P 

Luidia sarsi ZB680 P 

Ascidia mentula ZD1500 

Scyliorhinus canicula ZF400 P P 

Merlangius merlangus ZG1860 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

6 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

6 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

2 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

3 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

7 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

3 

1 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

129

130 

Species 

MCS 

Code 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

0 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

1 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

5 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

7 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

8 

A 

1 

2 

_ 

9 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

4 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

5 

A 

5 

2 

_ 

6 

A 

6 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

6 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

1 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

2 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

3 

A 

7 

9 

_ 

4 

A 

1 

2 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

3 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

4 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

5 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

6 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

7 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

2 

8 

_ 

3 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

0 

_ 

2 

A 

1 

3 

1 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

2 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

A 

1 

3 

5 

_ 

1 

Labrus mixtus ZG6100 

Callionymus sp. ZG6990 

Lesueurigobius friesii ZG7370 

Ulva sp. ZS2400

Table A1.7 

Species recorded (matrix format) during the diver sampling - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Porifera indet. C1 F R 

Pachymatisma johnstonia C1670 R R O O 


Polymastia boletiformis C2580 R 

Polymastia mamillaris C2610 R 

Cliona celata C3020 O O F R F O R O O O O 

Axinellidae C3470 

Axinella infundibuliformis C3540 R O 

Phakellia ventilabrum C3720 

Stelligera rigida C4070 R R R R R R 

Stelligera stuposa C4080 R O F 

Stelligera/Raspailia C4080 O 

Raspailia ramosa C4290 R 

Halichondria panicea C4840 R O R O 

Mycale rotalis C5530 R 

Myxilla incrustans C6450 O R O R R 

Iophonopsis nigricans C6780 O 

Hymedesmia paupertas C7250 R O O R 


Haliclona oculata C8600 R? 

Haliclona viscosa C8650 O 

Dysidea fragilis C8900 R 

Aplysilla sulfurea C9040 R R 

Oscarella lobularis C950 O 

Sarcodictyon roseum D10170 O 

Alcyonium digitatum D10240 R R R O R R R R O O F F C R 

Swiftia pallida D10370 R 

Funiculina quadrangularis D10500 

Virgularia mirabilis D10560 R 

Pennatula phosphorea D10670 

Cerianthus lloydii D10750 O F C C O F C 


Epizoanthus couchii D11070 O R R O 

Parazoanthus anguicomus D11160 R R F F C 

Anemonia viridis D11580 R 

Urticina felina D11680 R R 

Urticina eques D11690 

Metridium senile D12250 O R R O A 

Sagartia elegans D12310 O F F R O C R R R R O R 

131

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Actinothoe sphyrodeta D12420 R 

Sagartiogeton laceratus D12470 C C C 

Sagartiogeton undatus D12480 R R R 

Adamsia carciniopados D12920 F F F 

Edwardsia claparedii D13410 R R 

Corynactis viridis D13570 F C C A A A F R C C 

Caryophyllia smithii D13700 C F O R F F O O O R C A F O A A R 

Tubularia indivisa D1440 F 

Tubularia larynx D1450 R 

Eudendrium indet D2290 O 

Lucernariopsis campanulata D280 O O 

Bougainvillia ramosa D3060 O 

Hydractinia echinata D3350 R 

Lafoea dumosa D5160 O 

Halecium beanii D5250 O F R 

Halecium halecinum D5260 R O O O O R 

Aglaophenia tubulifera D5560 O R 

Antennella secundaria D5720 R R 

Halopteris catharina D5780 O O F R 

Kirchenpaueria pinnata D5850 F R 

Nemertesia antennina D5970 O F F O F R O O O O F R 

Nemertesia ramosa D5990 R R O O O O O R F R 

Plumularia setacea D6050 O O R 

Abietinaria abietina D6260 O R R R O O R 

Diphasia sp. D6360 O 

Sertularella gayi D6670 R R O R R R 

Sertularella polyzonias D6690 O O 

Sertularia argentea D6760 R 

Obelia sp. D7280 F F F F F O 

Obelia dichotoma D7300 O O R 

Obelia geniculata D7310 F F O F F F O 

Obelia longissima D7320 F 

Rhizocaulus verticillatus D7430 O R R 

Aurelia scyphistomae D830 O R 

Filamentous brown alga 

indet. 

IA05 O 

Filamentous brown alga 

indet. 

IA05 F 

Athecate hydroid on razor 

shell 

M20 R 

Chaetopterus variopedatus P13750 R R R 

132

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Arenicola marina P15760 O F C 

Terebellidae P20000 R O R R 

Lanice conchilega P20310 F R F O F R R R R 

Myxicola infundibulum P22270 

Myxicola infundibulum P22270 R R R 

Sabella pavonina P22610 R R R 

Hydroides sp. P22840 R 

Pomatoceros sp. P23020 O O R O O F F O O R F O 

Pomatoceros lamarcki P23030 R 

Salmacina dysteri P23510 R 

Balanus balanus R1090 R R O O O R R R R 

Balanus crenatus R1100 F O O O O C O O R R O R O 

Caprellidae indet. S10700 F F O F 

Amphipoda indet. S1660 C 

Caridea indet. S21690 F O F 

Homarus gammarus S23600 R R R R 

Nephrops norvegicus S23650 C C 

Calocaris or Callianassa 

burrows 

S23780 F 

Palinurus elephas S24140 R 

Paguridae indet. S24440 F O 

Pagurus bernhardus S24650 F F O O R O O R R O R O F 

Pagurus cuanensis S24680 R 

Pagurus prideaux S24700 F C F 

Galathea sp. S24840 F 

Munida rugosa S24950 F R R R O 



Inachus dorsettensis S25760 

Inachus phalangium S25780 R R R R 

Macropodia sp. S25820 

Macropodia rostrata S25850 R R R R 

Atelecyclus rotundatus S26260 R 

Cancer pagurus S26460 O O O F O R O O F F O R O O O R R F O R O O O 

Liocarcinus depurator S26690 R O R R O R R 

Necora puber S26720 R O O O R R O F R F F O R R O O O R O 

Carcinus maenas S26900 R R R 

Goneplax rhomboides S27140 F R 

Monodaeus couchi S27200 

Mysidae indet. S460 C F 

Nudibranchia sp. W12370 R 

133

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Doto sp. W12720 P 

Polycera faeroensis W13620 R R O 

Helcion pellucidum W1390 O 

Flabellina pedata W14600 R 

Atrina fragilis W17250 

Aequipecten opercularis W18050 

Pecten maximus W18090 R R O R R 

Pododesmus patelliformis W18200 C R O O 

Gibbula cineraria W1930 R O C F O F R F R 

Calliostoma zizyphinum W2000 O O O R R R R R 

Lacuna vincta W2440 F F O R F 

Littorina littorea W2500 R 

Turritella communis W4420 O F O 

Polyplacophora indet. W500 R 

Aporrhais pespelecani W7000 

Buccinum undatum W8440 

Neptunea antiqua W8600 

Bryozoa (enc) Y1 O O F O O O 

Crisidia cornuta Y100 P R 

Alcyonidium diaphanum Y1370 R R O O R 

Crisia eburnea Y280 P 

Crisiidae indet. Y30 O O C F O F C O O C F F F R 

Parasmittina trispinosa Y3770 O F R F F O R F F F F C O 

Porella compressa Y3830 

Cellepora pumicosa Y6060 O 

Eucratea loricata Y6580 O 

Membranipora 

membranacea 

Y6640 F F C F O F F 

Electra pilosa Y6780 F O C C O F F 

Flustra foliacea Y6940 

Securiflustra securifrons Y7100 F F O F C R F R O O 

Cellaria sp. Y8110 0 C R 

Cellaria fistulosa Y8120 O F O 

Caberea ellisii Y8270 R 

Scrupocellaria Y8360 F O O F F O 

Scrupocellaria reptans Y8380 C C O O F F 

Scrupocellaria scruposa Y8410 F F F O R 

Bugula flabellata Y8720 O O O O R O O 

Porania pulvillus ZB1010 R O R O R O 

Antedon bifida ZB110 R F O O R 

Solaster endeca ZB1430 

134

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Crossaster papposus ZB1490 

Henricia sp. ZB1640 R R R R R R O O R R 

Stichastrella rosea ZB1840 

Asterias rubens ZB1900 O R F O R O O R O R R O O 

Marthasterias glacialis ZB2000 R R O R R R R R R O R R O R 

Ophiuroidea indet. ZB2040 R 

Leptometra celtica ZB220 

Ophiocomina nigra ZB2420 

Ophiactis balli ZB2680 R 

Amphiura sp. ZB2830 O O O 

Amphipholis squamata ZB3000 P O 

Ophiura albida ZB3130 O R O R O 

Ophiura ophiura ZB3150 F 

Echinus esculentus ZB3620 O R R R F R F R R F F O O 


Holothuria forskali ZB4520 F O O O O 

Pawsonia saxicola ZB4740 O O R F R F 

Aslia lefevrei ZB4790 R R R R F 

Luidia ciliaris ZB670 R R R R R R R R R R R O O 

Luidia sarsi ZB680 

Lissoclinum perforatum ZD1090 R 

Ascidiella aspersa ZD1410 R 

Ascidia conchilega ZD1490 R 

Ascidia mentula ZD1500 R O O R O O O R R O R O R 

Ascidia virginea ZD1530 R R R R 

Dendrodoa grossularia ZD1940 O 

Botryllus schlosseri ZD2090 R 

Clavelina lepadiformis ZD60 R 

Didemnidae indet. ZD680 R 

Scyliorhinus canicula ZF400 R 

Merlangius merlangus ZG1860 R 

Pollachius pollachius ZG2080 F C A O O A 

Taurulus bubalis ZG4380 R R R O 

Centrolabrus exoletus ZG5920 O 

Crenilabrus melops ZG6010 O 

Labrus bergylta ZG6090 R R O R R R O R 

Labrus mixtus ZG6100 R R O O O F R 


Pholis gunnellus ZG6800 R O 

Callionymus sp. ZG6990 R C O F F O 

Gobiidae indet. ZG7050 O C 

135

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Gobiusculus flavescens ZG7280 F A C R F O 

Lesueurigobius friesii ZG7370 


Pomatoschistus minutus ZG7420 C C F 

Thorogobius ephippiatus ZG7480 R R R 

Limanda limanda ZG8910 O R C 

Heterosiphonia japonica ZM P R R 

Rhodophycota (enc) ZM10 F C F O F O O C F O 

Nitophyllum punctatum ZM10020 R R R 

Phycodrys rubens ZM10120 C C F O F C O C F 

Heterosiphonia plumosa ZM10390 C R O F R F O O O F R 

Brongniartella byssoides ZM10500 R O O O F R 

Odonthalia dentata ZM10970 R R R O O O 

Polysiphonia elongata ZM11050 O 

Pterosiphonia parasitica ZM11370 F O C R O F 

Rhodomela confervoides ZM11450 O O 

Rhodothamniella floridula ZM1160 O F 

Scinaia sp. ZM1820 R R R O 

Scinaia interrupta ZM1840 R 

Bonnemaisonia 

ZM2080 R R R O O F O 

asparagoides 

R 

Palmaria palmata ZM2420 R 

Dilsea carnosa ZM2560 R 

Dumontia contorta ZM2660 R 

Callophyllis laciniata ZM3230 F F R R O C O F O F R R 

Kallymenia reniformis ZM3280 O R R F O R O O O R O O O R R 

Meredithia microphylla ZM3330 R 

Corallinaceae ZM3840 C C A F F F C O F A O F A A C O O 

Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 R 

Phymatolithon calcareum ZM4910 F 

Gracilaria gracilis ZM5480 F 

Gracilariopsis longissima ZM5495 

R 

sp 

R 

Phyllophora crispa ZM5840 O R F R 

Schottera nicaeensis ZM5940 R R R R 


Plocamium cartilagineum ZM6310 R F R R R O R R F O F R R 

Rhodophyllis divaricata ZM6930 R R F F O R F O R 

Rhodophyllis divaricata var. 

ZM6940 O O R F O R F 

werneri 

O R 

Cruoria cruoriaeformis ZM7010 R 

136

Species 

MCS 

Code 

Dive 1.1 

Dive 2.1 

Dive 2.2 

Dive 2.3 

Dive 3.1 

Dive 3.2 

Dive 4.1 

Dive 4.2 

Dive 4.3 

Dive 5.1 

Dive 5.2 

Dive 5.3 

Dive 6.1 

Dive 6.2 

Dive 7.1 

Dive 7.2 

Dive 7.3 

Dive 8.1 

Dive 8.2 

Dive 9.1 

Dive 10.1 

Dive 11.1 

Dive 12.1 

Dive 13.1 

Dive 13.2 

Dive 14.1 

Dive 15.1 

Rhodymenia pseudopalmata ZM7280 R O 

Lomentaria clavellosa ZM7520 O O 

Lomentaria orcadensis ZM7530 R 

Aglaothamnion tripinnatum ZM8030 R 

Aglaozonia ZM8030 C O F R 

Ceramium sp. ZM8070 O F 

Ceramium secundatum ZM8239 O 

Compsothamnion thuyoides ZM8340 R R 

Halurus flosculosus ZM8460 R 

Pterothamnion plumula ZM8880 O R R R R 

Ptilota gunneri ZM8930 F O O 

Sphondylothamnion 

multifidum 

ZM9230 R 

Acrosorium venulosum ZM9350 O O F F F O O 

Apoglossum ruscifolium ZM9400 R 

Cryptopleura ramosa ZM9500 F F R F F F O O O 

Delesseria sanguinea ZM9550 A R O O O O O C F C O F O R 

Hypoglossum 

hypoglossoides 

ZM9850 R 

Membranoptera alata ZM9900 F O F 

Chromophycota (enc) ZR01 C 

Elachista fucicola ZR2490 O 

Ectocarpaceae indet. ZR30 F 

Dictyota dichotoma ZR4570 C R O O R O F F C O F O R 

Desmarestia aculeata ZR4970 O R F R F F C 

Chorda filum ZR6250 R 

Laminaria sp. (sporelings) ZR6310 R 

Laminaria hyperborea ZR6330 A O A S O A C S S S O 

Laminaria saccharina ZR6360 R A O S R A C C 

Saccorhiza polyschides ZR6460 R C A R R C C 

Alaria esculenta ZR6520 R 

Fucus serratus ZR6740 F 


Ulva ?compressa ZS2400 O 

Ulva sp. ZS2400 O F R 

Ulva ?lactuca ZS2450 O 

Bryopsis plumosa ZS3920 R 

Diatom film S F 

137

Appendix 2 

Macrofaunal and sediment analysis of the 2010 Sound of 

Canna grab samples 

The analysis of the infaunal data from the 23 grabs from the Sound of Canna (position data 

for the sampling stations provided in Table A2.1) revealed extremely diverse communities; 

the grabs contained over 390 taxa, with up to 95 taxa from a single sample. Note that there 

is no Station G16 which was replaced during the fieldwork by G24. An analysis of the 

particle size data (Table A2.2, Figures A2.1, A2.2) shows that the substrata sampled were 

mixed sandy sediments with varying amounts of mud and grouped into four broad sediment 

types ranging from shelly mixed sediments through coarse muddy sands and muddy fine 

sands to mud. However, Site G22, which grouped with the coarse muddy sands in the 

analysis, contained maerl Phymatolithon calcareum and only had a very small mud 

component. The raw species lists are presented in Table A2.3. The taxonomic and 

abundance data were run through the PRIMER 5 statistical package and a number of 

univariate and multivariate statistics were calculated (Table A2.4). 

The results show a strong correlation between the Bray-Curtis sediment groupings 

(Figure A2.1) and the Bray-Curtis infaunal groupings (Figure A2.3), as would be expected. 

However when the data were run through the Multi-Dimensional Scaling Plot (MDS) analysis 

within PRIMER, the resulting plot really only separated the coarse sand/maerl samples of 

G21, G22 and G23 and the depauperate sample of G01 (Figure A2.4). SIMPER analysis 

was also carried out on the data, but is not presented here as the tables produced which 

highlight the species that cause the dissimilarity between the groups, only serve to show 

how diverse the grabs are, with the fauna of each sample consisting of small numbers of 

very many invertebrate species. 

With no real dominant species, assigning infaunal biotopes to the data proved challenging. 

Four biotopes (listed against corresponding grab sampling stations within Table A2.1) were 

identified: 

Amphiura filiformis, Mysella bidentata and Abra nitida in circalittoral sandy mud 

(SS.SMu.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit); 

Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in offshore circalittoral sand or muddy 

sand (SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil); 

Mediomastus fragilis, Lumbrineris spp. and venerid bivalves in circalittoral coarse 

sand or gravel (SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen); and 

Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds in infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand 

(SS.SMpMrl.Pcal). 

The first two biotopes listed above dominated the samples across the sound whilst the third 

(MedLumVen) was found at three stations along the Rum coast. Small numbers of flame 

shells Limaria hians were recorded at two of these stations (G23 and G24). A maerl bed 

was found at one station on the Rum coast; this had previously been found by the diving 

survey. Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds are an MPA search feature. 

138

Table A2.1 

Positional and depth information for the 2010 Sound of Canna grab sampling stations with biotope assignments 

Station 

No 

Date Time Latitude Longitude 

Depth 

m 

bcd 

Sediment type 

Biotope - fullcode 

Biotope - 

short code 

G01 25/09/2010 13:00:19 57.03365 -6.49832 132.8 Sandy mud SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 

G02 25/09/2010 13:25:55 57.0264 -6.48108 96.9 Mixed SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G03 25/09/2010 13:44:17 57.03202 -6.46542 131 Mixed SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G04 25/09/2010 11:52:14 57.03985 -6.44608 178.9 Mixed SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 

G05 25/09/2010 11:37:47 57.04738 -6.43837 213.7 Muddy fine sand SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G06 25/09/2010 11:02:54 57.05133 -6.42785 177.1 Muddy fine sand SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 

G07 25/09/2010 09:56:40 57.06242 -6.41717 133.2 Sandy mud (with gravel) SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 



G10 25/09/2010 10:43:50 57.0477 -6.4136 72.8 Mixed SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G11 25/09/2010 10:21:18 57.06087 -6.38673 41.5 Mixed SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 

G12 25/09/2010 14:25:30 57.02867 -6.44128 116 Mixed SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G13 25/09/2010 08:26:27 57.06098 -6.4662 86.4 Muddy fine sand SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G14 25/09/2010 09:40:12 57.06188 -6.44547 175 Sandy mud (with gravel) SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 


G17 25/09/2010 15:51:47 57.055 -6.48537 14.2 Sandy mud SS.SMU.CSaMu.AfilMysAnit AfilMysAnit 



G20 25/09/2010 08:44:45 57.05413 -6.46202 72.5 Muddy coarse sand and gravel SS.SSA.OSa.OfusAfil OfusAfil 

G21 25/09/2010 13:59:46 57.01618 -6.46243 58 Muddy coarse sand and gravel SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen MedLumVen 

G22 25/09/2010 14:54:07 57.02983 -6.42453 21.8 Muddy coarse sand and gravel (with maerl) SS.SMpMrl.Pcal Pcal 

G23 25/09/2010 14:37:39 57.031 -6.42512 29.9 Muddy coarse sand and gravel SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen MedLumVen 

G24 25/09/2010 10:36:00 57.04502 -6.40538 58.7 Mixed SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen MedLumVen 

139

Table A2.2 

Sediment 

type 

Medium pebble 

(gravel) 

Results of particle size analyses of grab samples collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Size Phi G01 G02 G03 G04 G05 G06 G07 G08 G09 G10 G11 G12 G13 G14 G15 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G22 G23 G24 

> 8 mm < -3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.91 0 0 4.21 0 6.98 0 17.8 0 0 0 4.57 0 0 0 4.18 0 

Small pebble 

(gravel) 

4-8 mm -2 to -3 0 3.82 3.37 0.26 0 0 8.18 0 2.74 1.27 0.22 3.73 0 0.47 0 0.99 0 0 0 0.1 9.84 12.24 3.17 

Granule 2-4 mm -1 to -2 0 8.3 2.39 3.63 0.71 0 4.21 0 1.24 3.94 3.05 8.16 0.21 1.73 0.05 0.37 0.03 0 0.91 5.17 9.22 14.86 8.72 


very coarse 

1-2000 µm 0 to -1 0.05 11.23 4.95 7 2.09 0.09 4.8 0.37 1.94 7.3 9.6 5.74 0.54 3.12 0.22 0.97 0.13 0.32 3.32 16.79 16.85 20.64 18.92 


coarse 

500-1000 µm 1 to 0 0.21 14.87 10.63 13.16 8.14 1.92 6.31 3.93 3.72 9.49 17.71 6.97 6.7 4.2 1.06 1.5 1.07 0.99 20.12 40.43 43.5 26.75 11.57 


medium 



fine 



very fine 


Silt & Clay < 63 µm >4 52.96 15.56 24.39 31.18 20.39 29.87 56.88 34.67 24.01 21.49 29.05 31.36 16 43.56 22.95 42.27 33.88 23.92 9.8 6.29 1.76 12.5 18.2 

% 

Organic Matter 

(by LOI) 

6.48 3.63 3.94 5.15 4.09 4.99 5.52 6.05 4.44 2.98 5.39 5.35 3.95 5.71 5.1 4.92 6.62 4.41 3.26 3.56 3.3 1.89 3.72 

140

Table A2.3 

List of taxa identified from the grab samples collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

Astrorhiza limicola A 1 3 1 

Pelosina arborescens A 2 2 

Cerianthus lloydii D632 1 1 1 

G 

07 

Epizoanthidae indet. D647 14 28 

Actiniaria indet. D662 1 1 1 7 7 27 1 1 1 

G 

08 

Edwardsia claparedii D766 1 3 1 6 7 3 3 8 1 4 5 8 4 1 10 

Caryophyllia smithii D782 1 1 

Platyhelminthes indet. F 1 2 

Nemertea indet. G01 6 3 7 1 2 1 2 6 3 2 7 4 4 6 3 8 5 8 3 5 9 4 

Tubulanus polymorphus G034 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 

Tubulanus superbus G035 1 1 

Cerebratulus sp. 1 G039 1 2 2 1 2 

Oerstedia dorsalis G109 2 

Nematoda HD 1 6 1 2 1 3 4 5 1 6 1 1 1 1 

Priapulus caudatus J7 1 2 1 1 

Sipuncula juv. indet. N01 1 1 1 

Golfingia elongata N14 2 1 1 4 4 

Golfingia margaritacea? N16 1 

Golfingia vulgaris N17 1 1 1 1 1 

Thysanocardia procera N28 1 1 1 5 1 1 

Aspidosiphon muelleri N47 2 

Aphrodita aculeata P0019 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 

Acanthicolepis asperrima P0027 1 

Adyte pellucida P0032 1 

Enipo kinbergi P0044 1 

Gattyana cirrosa P0049 1 2 1 3 6 1 

Harmothoe sp. 1 P0050 1 2 2 

Polynoidae indet. P0025 3 5 7 2 1 3 3 10 1 11 13 1 

Malmgrenia andreapolis P0051 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

141

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

Harmothoe antilopes P0052 1 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

Malmgrenia marphysae P0068 1 1 1 2 

G 

07 

Malmgrenia mcintoshi P0070 1 1 1 

G 

08 

Pholoe inornata (baltica) P0092 1 1 3 10 2 8 2 1 2 4 10 13 2 1 3 1 1 3 

Sthenelais boa P0107 1 1 

Sthenelais limicola P0109 1 

Phyllodocidae indet. P0114 1 1 

Eteone longa P0118 1 

Pseudomystides limbata P0136 1 

Phyllodoce groenlandica P0141 1 

Phyllodoce rosea P0146 1 1 1 1 

Eulalia mustela P0155 1 1 3 1 

Eumida indet. P0163 1 1 1 1 

Paranaitis kosteriensis P0176 1 1 

Glycera indet. P0255 1 1 1 

Glycera alba P0256 1 4 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 4 1 

Glycera lapidum P0260 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 

Glycera rouxii P0263 1 1 4 2 2 1 2 4 1 3 2 

Glycinde nordmanni P0268 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 

Goniada maculata P0271 2 2 2 1 1 3 2 4 1 1 1 

Sphaerodorum gracilis P0291 1 1 4 2 1 1 2 

Hesionidae indet. P0293 1 

Gyptis rosea P0301 1 

Kefersteinia cirrata P0305 1 3 2 1 

Nereimyra punctifera P0311 1 

Ophiodromus flexuosus P0313 1 1 2 

Podarkeopsis capensis P0319 1 1 

Syllidia armata P0321 1 1 2 

Ancistrosyllis groenlandica P0338 1 1 1 1 2 1 

Glyphohesione klatti P0340 1 

Litocorsa stremma P0342 1 

Syllis cornuta P0349 1 2 1 2 3 1 5 3 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

142

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Eurysyllis tuberculata P0355 1 

Syllis indet. P0358 1 

Syllis sp. D P0358 

Syllis sp. E P0358 1 

Syllis sp. H P0358 4 2 

Trypanosyllis coeliaca P0362 4 1 

Syllis armillaris P0365 1 

Eusyllis blomstrandi P0380 1 3 

Odontosyllis fulgurans P0387 1 1 

Odontosyllis gibba P0388 1 

Syllides japonica P0406 1 

Exogone hebes P0421 1 5 1 

G 

08 

Exogone naidina P0422 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 

Sphaerosyllis bulbosa P0425 1 4 15 4 1 

Sphaerosyllis tetralix P0431 1 1 

Autolytus indet. P0434 2 3 

Nereis elitoralis P0474 1 

Websterinereis glauca P0487 1 

Aglaophamus rubella P0493 5 

Nephtys hombergii P0499 2 3 4 1 

Nephtys incisa P0501 2 5 1 2 2 1 4 1 

Nephtys kersivalensis P0502 4 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 

Aponuphis bilineata P0539 4 4 1 

Nothria britannica P0544 1 1 

Marphysa bellii P0564 1 2 1 

Nematonereis unicornis P0568 1 8 1 1 

Lumbrineris fragilis P0577 1 1 

Lumbrineris gracilis P0579 19 3 25 10 1 3 14 21 15 27 24 10 31 17 7 15 2 7 7 

Lumbrineris hibernica P0580 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 

Drilonereis sp. P0589 1 1 1 1 

Drilonereis filum P0591 1 1 

Parougia sp. P0632 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

143

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

G 

08 

Protodorvillea kefersteini P0638 1 2 1 1 

Dorvillea indet. P0606 1 

Scoloplos armiger P0672 1 1 4 1 

Aricidea indet. P0675 2 

Cirrophorus branchiatus P0690 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 

Levinsenia gracilis P0693 1 2 

Paradoneis lyra P0699 1 1 

Apistobranchus tullbergi P0712 1 

Poecilochaetus serpens P0718 1 1 

Spionidae sp. 1 P0720 2 

Aonides paucibranchiata P0723 1 1 1 1 3 7 9 

Laonice bahusiensis P0733 3 4 1 2 1 1 6 2 1 1 2 3 11 3 

Minuspio multibranchiata P0746 3 

Minuspio cirrifera P0747 2 4 2 2 4 1 1 5 5 1 6 3 2 1 1 

Polydora indet. P0748 1 

Polydora flava P0754 1 1 1 1 

Prionospio fallax P0765 1 

Prionospio banyulensis P0766 1 

Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata P0773 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 

Pseudopolydora pulchra P0774 1 

Scolelepis sp. A P0779 1 1 

Spio indet. P0787 1 1 1 

Spiophanes bombyx P0794 1 

Spiophanes kroyeri P0796 4 7 13 8 3 2 6 8 9 4 6 24 7 5 2 1 6 2 5 

Magelona alleni P0804 2 2 1 1 

Magelona minuta P0806 1 1 1 19 8 

Chaetopterus sp. A P0814 1 1 1 

Spiochaetopterus indet. P0818 1 

Cirratulidae indet. P0822 1 

Aphelochaeta sp. A P0823 5 2 3 1 5 1 39 5 1 28 36 1 3 

Caulleriella alata P0829 1 2 1 

Caulleriella zetlandica P0831 2 12 1 1 6 3 3 4 2 2 11 2 4 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

144

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

G 

08 

Chaetozone "D" P0832 22 29 5 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 2 11 3 

Chaetozone setosa P0834 3 3 5 3 8 3 4 1 16 5 33 15 5 1 

Cirratulus sp. P0835 3 1 

Monticellina dorsobranchialis P0844 3 1 1 4 2 3 1 2 

Tharyx killariensis P0846 7 18 1 2 2 2 1 5 32 4 3 11 1 7 

Diplocirrus glaucus P0878 2 1 2 2 1 5 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 12 7 1 

Flabelligera affinis P0881 9 

Pherusa plumosa P0885 1 

Macrochaeta clavicornis P0891 1 2 1 

Mediomastus fragilis P0919 6 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 1 2 4 3 17 2 

Notomastus sp. B P0920 6 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 6 7 2 1 1 1 

Notomastus latericeus P0921 2 1 4 8 8 7 1 9 9 7 6 5 5 11 10 23 19 17 1 2 2 2 6 

Peresiella clymenoides P0925 1 2 1 2 2 1 

Pseudonotomastus southerni P0927 1 2 1 1 2 1 

Euclymeninae sp. A P0951 10 7 4 2 8 

Clymenura tricirrata P0955 2 

Euclymene sp. A P0960 12 7 1 4 7 1 9 3 3 

Heteroclymene robusta P0967 1 1 

Praxillella affinis P0971 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 1 2 1 1 3 1 

Praxillella gracilis P0972 1 2 

Rhodine gracilior P0990 2 2 

Rhodine loveni P0991 1 1 2 1 

Ophelina cylindricaudata P1015 1 

Polyphysia crassa P1024 3 2 1 

Scalibregma celticum P1026 1 

Scalibregma inflatum P1027 1 76 1 

Polygordius sp. P1062 4 

Galthowenia oculata P1093 1 6 1 6 3 10 1 5 5 4 12 4 8 2 10 18 6 2 

Myriochele danielsseni P1095 3 

Owenia fusiformis P1098 4 8 15 2 2 4 1 4 5 1 4 11 1 

Amphictene auricoma P1102 1 1 1 1 3 2 3 1 

Lagis koreni P1107 1 1 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

145

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

Petta pusilla P1111 2 

G 

03 

Sabellaria spinulosa P1117 1 3 

Melinna elisabethae P1122 1 

Ampharetinae indet. P1125 2 1 1 2 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

G 

08 

Ampharete falcata P1135 3 1 2 2 6 3 3 2 4 

Ampharete lindstroemi P1139 1 5 1 5 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 

Amphicteis gunneri P1142 1 1 1 1 

Anobothrus gracilis P1147 1 1 

Sabellides octocirrata P1160 3 1 

Sosane sulcata P1167 1 2 3 1 1 1 

Terebellides stroemi P1175 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 4 

Trichobranchus roseus P1178 1 2 1 2 

Terebellidae indet. P1179 2 1 3 1 

Amphitrite cirrata P1182 2 5 1 9 5 5 

Axionice maculata P1187 1 

Eupolymnia nesidensis P1190 1 2 

Lanice conchilega P1195 1 1 

Neoamphitrite affinis P1204 2 1 

Pista cristata P1217 1 

Pista lornensis P1218 1 2 2 

Amaeana trilobata P1229 1 

Lysilla loveni P1233 1 

Lysilla nivea P1234 1 

Polycirrus indet. P1235 1 2 1 

Polycirrus medusa P1242 1 5 

Polycirrus norvegicus P1243 3 2 4 20 1 1 1 8 1 12 4 5 9 4 1 9 3 

Parathelepus collaris P1249 1 

Streblosoma intestinalis P1252 2 

Chone duneri P1267 2 1 1 

Chone filicaudata P1269 1 1 

Demonax indet. P1271 1 

Euchone rubrocincta P1280 1 2 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

146

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

G 

08 

Jasmineira caudata P1289 2 1 21 5 1 

Myxicola sarsi P1301 1 

Sabella pavonina P1320 1 1 3 

Hydroides norvegica P1334 1 3 4 8 1 

Pomatoceros triqueter P1341 1 2 14 

Serpula vermicularis P1343 1 

Filograna implexa P1350 16 37 

Tubificidae indet. P1425 1 

Tubificoides amplivasatus P1489 1 

Enchytraeidae indet. P1501 2 

Endeidae sp. Q27 1 

Callipallene brevirostris Q33 2 1 1 

Anoplodactylus petiolatus Q44 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 

Semibalanus balanoides R0070 2 3 

Ostracoda R2412 1 2 

Gammaridea indet. S0098 1 3 7 3 

Apherusa bispinosa S0102 1 

Oedicerotidae indet. S0118 1 

Monoculodes carinatus S0125 1 

Westwoodilla caecula S0140 1 2 1 2 1 1 

Amphilochus manudens S0158 2 

Peltocoxa brevirostris S0173 1 

Stenothoe marina S0213 2 

Stenothoe monoculoides S0214 1 

Urothoe elegans S0248 1 

Urothoe marina S0249 1 1 

Harpinia pectinata S0257 1 2 

Paraphoxus oculatus S0267 2 

Lysianassidae indet. S0271 2 2 

Acidostomum nodiferum S0274 2 

Lysianassa plumosa S0305 2 3 

Iphimedia nexa S0381 14 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

147

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Liljeborgia kinahani S0396 1 

G 

08 

Atylus vedlomensis S0413 1 2 1 1 1 3 3 3 

Ampelisca indet. S0423 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Ampelisca aequicornis? S0424 1 

Ampelisca diadema S0429 1 1 1 2 

Ampelisca spinipes S0438 3 4 2 1 1 

Ampelisca tenuicornis S0440 6 1 2 3 5 5 6 2 5 6 1 4 6 

Ampelisca typica S0442 2 2 9 1 

Haploops tubicola S0448 2 3 2 1 

Ceradocus semiserratus S0502 9 18 

Cheirocratus indet. S0503 1 1 1 

Eriopisa elongata S0510 1 1 1 

Maera othonis S0519 1 3 3 1 1 5 1 8 2 

Melita hergensis S0524 2 1 

Gammaropsis cornuta S0539 1 2 

Ericthonius rubricornis S0565 3 1 4 

Aoridae indet. S0577 2 3 

Aora gracilis S0579 1 3 

Leptocheirus hirsutimanus S0588 1 

Pariambus typicus S0651 1 

Parvipalpus capillaceus S0653 1 1 

Phtisica marina S0657 4 1 8 3 1 3 5 

Gnathia oxyuraea S0796 1 1 1 1 

Cirolana borealis S0844 1 

Janira maculosa S0892 2 

Munna indet. S0901 1 

Arcturella dilatata S0951 1 1 1 

Tanaidacea indet. S1099 1 

Leptognathiopsis attenuata S1125 1 

Tanaopsis graciloides S1142 1 3 2 1 

Vaunthompsonia cristata S1191 1 

Iphinoe serrata S1201 1 1 2 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

148

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

Diastylis tumida S1255 7 1 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Caridea indet. S1293 1 1 

Eualus pusiolus S1345 4 

Hippolyte varians S1350 1 

Processa indet. S1362 1 1 

Crangon allmanni S1384 1 

Philoceras bispinosus S1386 1 

Calocaris macandreae S1409 1 3 1 1 

Callianassa subterranea S1415 1 

Upogebia stellata S1421 1 1 

Anapagurus hyndmanni S1448 1 2 

Anapagurus laevis S1449 5 1 2 1 

Galathea dispersa S1471 2 2 3 

Galathea intermedia S1472 87 99 

Munida rugosa S1478 1 

Pisidia longicornis S1482 1 2 

Ebalia cranchii S1505 2 

Ebalia tuberosa S1508 2 

Hyas indet. S1517 3 

Inachus juv. indet. S1525 1 

Eurynome juv. indet. S1535 1 1 1 

Atelecyclus rotundatus S1555 1 1 

G 

08 

Liocarcinus juv. indet. S1577 2 1 1 1 2 2 

Liocarcinus holsatus S15781 1 

Liocarcinus marmoreus S1582 1 

Liocarcinus pusillus S1584 2 1 

Monodaeus couchi S1609 3 1 1 1 

Scutopus ventrolineatus W0006 1 

Chaetoderma nitidulum W0009 1 1 3 2 

Falcidens crossotus W0011 3 1 2 1 5 2 1 10 2 1 3 

Neomenia carinata W0030 1 

Neomenia dalyelli W0031 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

149

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Leptochiton asellus W0053 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 22 16 

Leptochiton cancellatus W0054 1 1 

Callochiton septemvalvis W0075 1 

Acanthochitona crinita W0086 1 

Emarginula fissura W0106 1 

Gibbula tumida W0161 9 

Jujubinus montagui W0174 1 

Calliostoma granulatum W0185 1 

Tectura virginea W0224 2 

G 

08 

Turritella communis W0270 13 7 71 6 23 14 

Lacuna vincta W0292 2 

Alvania abyssicola W0337 2 

Hyala vitrea W0410 1 6 1 

Capulus ungaricus W0443 1 

Odostomia indet. W0908 2 

Eulimella laevis W0992 1 

Roxania utriculus W1023 1 1 1 

Cylichna cylindracea W1028 2 3 1 4 2 1 

Philine indet. W1036 1 1 

Philine scabra W1045 2 1 1 

Retusa indet. W1074 1 

Nudibranchia indet. W1243 1 4 2 1 1 4 1 

Antalis entalis W1519 1 1 4 1 1 

Pelecypoda juv. indet. W1560 2 

Nucula nitidosa W1569 1 2 1 

Nucula sulcata W1571 1 1 1 

Jupiteria minuta W1595 1 

Glycymeris glycymeris W1688 1 

Modiolus modiolus W1702 1 1 2 

Modiolarca tumida W1718 1 

Limaria hians W1741 6 1 

Palliolum tigerinum W1786 1 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

150

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Anomiidae W1805 2 1 2 1 

G 

08 

Myrtea spinifera W1827 2 1 1 1 

Lucinoma borealis W1829 1 

Thyasira flexuosa W1837 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 8 4 6 2 

Axinulus croulinensis W1845 1 

Devonia perrieri W1898 1 

Mysella bidentata W1906 1 2 3 1 2 15 13 1 5 2 1 5 

Astarte sulcata W1925 3 1 

Acanthocardia echinata W1943 2 

Parvicardium minimum W1950 1 1 1 

Parvicardium ovale W1951 1 

Spisula elliptica W1975 1 

Phaxas pellucidus W2006 1 2 1 7 1 6 3 1 2 

Angulus tenuis W2012 1 

Arcopagia crassa W2015 1 

Moerella pygmaea W2023 1 1 1 

Gari costulata W2048 1 

Gari tellinella W2049 5 2 

Azorinus chamasolen W2056 1 1 1 1 2 

Abra alba W2059 1 7 1 3 1 

Abra nitida W2061 1 15 8 1 20 8 7 33 1 3 4 19 16 8 15 11 1 1 

Abra prismatica W2062 2 

Arctica islandica W2072 1 1 

Circomphalus casina W2091 1 1 2 

Gouldia minima W2095 1 8 1 

Chamelea gallina W2098 1 3 

Clausinella fasciata W2100 1 2 1 10 

Timoclea ovata W2104 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 4 

Dosinia lupinus W2128 1 1 1 6 

Mysia undata W2139 1 2 1 

Mya truncata W2147 1 

Corbula gibba W2157 7 2 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

151

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

G 

02 

G 

03 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Hiatella arctica W2166 2 

Thracia convexa W2229 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 6 1 4 2 

G 

08 

Lyonsia norwegica W2247 1 1 

Phoronis indet. ZA 3 3 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 

Leptometra celtica ZB015 1 

Ophiurida juv. indet. ZB121 2 

Ophiothrix fragilis ZB124 1 1 1 4 2 1 

Ophiactis balli ZB143 2 1 

Amphiura chiajei ZB152 2 1 1 5 29 14 5 1 1 18 24 3 7 

Amphiura filiformis ZB154 2 5 18 4 23 12 17 20 6 4 9 38 97 17 13 5 18 17 41 2 12 

Amphipholis squamata ZB161 3 6 1 3 14 9 

Ophiura affinis ZB167 1 1 3 8 1 

Ophiura albida ZB168 2 1 1 

Echinoidea juv. indet. ZB181 1 

Psammechinus miliaris ZB193 1 

Echinocyamus pusillus ZB212 8 3 1 4 2 1 1 4 5 1 3 1 

Brissopsis lyrifera ZB216 1 

Echinocardium juv. indet. ZB222 1 

Echinocardium cordatum ZB223 7 1 

Echinocardium flavescens ZB224 5 2 

Pseudothyone raphanus ZB257 1 1 1 

Thyone fusus ZB262 3 1 1 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 

Paracucumaria hyndmani ZB272 1 

Leptopentacta elongata ZB280 1 

Leptosynapta indet. ZB291 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 

Leptosynapta bergensis ZB292 1 

Labidoplax buskii ZB299 1 1 4 1 1 17 12 2 2 

Labidoplax digitata ZB300 3 

Labidoplax media ZB301 1 

Saccoglossus indet. ZC18 1 2 1 3 2 6 2 1 1 

Glossobalanus marginatus ZC28 1 

Dendrodoa grossularia ZD120 45 3 4 5 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

152

Taxa 

MCS 

Code 

G 

01 

Ascidiella sp. ZD83 1 2 1 

G 

02 

G 

03 

Porifera C P P 

G 

04 

G 

05 

G 

06 

G 

07 

Cliona sp. C475 P 

Hydrozoa indet. D P 

Pedicellina cernua K46 P 

Bryozoa indet. Y P 

Crisidia cornuta Y008 P 

Crisia eburnea Y017 P P P 

Disporella hispida Y066 P 

Alcyonidium diaphanum Y076 P P P P 

Electra pilosa Y178 P 

Bicellariella ciliata Y256 P 

Scrupocellaria indet. Y274 P 

Compound ascidian ZD P P P 

G 

08 

G 

09 

G 

10 

G 

11 

G 

12 

G 

13 

G 

14 

G 

15 

G 

17 

G 

18 

G 

19 

G 

20 

G 

21 

G 

22 

G 

23 

G 

24 

No. of individuals (excluding 

qualitative taxa) 

No. of taxa (excluding qualitative 

taxa) 

No. of taxa (including qualitative 

taxa) 

48 197 268 278 142 136 186 163 190 144 181 374 346 335 174 322 260 212 230 194 328 416 162 

23 75 75 92 40 46 69 47 56 57 71 77 67 92 46 38 62 66 61 90 86 91 69 

23 76 76 95 40 46 70 47 58 57 71 79 67 94 46 38 62 66 61 91 90 95 69 

153

Table A2.4 

Results of univariate analyses of the macroinfauna from grab samples 

collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Site 

No. of 

taxa 

S 


individuals 

N 

Margalef's 

Richness 

d 

Pielou's 

Evenness 

J' 

Shannon- 

Wiener 

Diversity 

H'(log e) 

Simpson's 

Dominance 

1-Lambda' 

Sediment 

type 

Loss on 

ignition 

% 

G01 23 48 5.68 0.92 2.90 0.95 Sandy mud 6.48 

G02 75 197 14.01 0.91 3.92 0.97 Mixed 3.63 

G03 75 268 13.24 0.86 3.71 0.96 Mixed 3.94 


G05 40 142 7.87 0.78 2.88 0.91 

G06 46 136 9.16 0.87 3.33 0.95 

Muddy fine 

sand 

Muddy fine 


4.09 

4.99 

G07 69 186 13.01 0.87 3.67 0.96 Mud 5.52 


G09 56 190 10.48 0.87 3.50 0.95 

Muddy fine 


4.44 

G10 57 144 11.27 0.90 3.66 0.97 Mixed 2.98 


G12 77 374 12.83 0.85 3.68 0.96 Mixed 5.35 

G13 67 346 11.29 0.76 3.21 0.90 

Muddy fine 


3.95 

G14 92 335 15.65 0.85 3.83 0.96 Mixed 5.71 

G15 46 174 8.72 0.90 3.44 0.96 

Muddy fine 


5.10 


G18 62 260 10.97 0.85 3.51 0.96 

G19 66 212 12.13 0.86 3.62 0.96 

G20 61 230 11.03 0.83 3.42 0.95 

Muddy fine 


Muddy fine 


Medium 


6.62 

4.41 

3.26 

G21 90 194 16.89 0.92 4.15 0.98 Coarse sand 3.56 

C22 86 328 14.67 0.78 3.49 0.92 

C23 91 416 14.92 0.78 3.53 0.93 

C24 69 162 13.37 0.91 3.84 0.97 

Coarse sand 

(and Maerl) 

Muddy 

coarse sand 

and gravel 

Mixed muddy 

sands 

3.30 

1.89 

3.72 

Mean 

value 

65 230 11.84 0.85 3.51 0.95 4.54 

154

Figure A2.1 

Bray-Curtis similarity analysis dendrogram of the sediment characteristics of 

the 23 sediment samples 

A = Muddy fine sands; B = Mixed sediments; C = Mud; D = Coarse muddy sands 

20 

40 

Similarity 

60 

80 

100 

G06 

G18 

G15 

G19 

G08 

G09 

G05 

G13 

G02 

G24 

G10 

G12 

G03 

G04 

G11 

G01 

G17 

G07 

G14 

G20 

G23 

G21 

G22 

A B C D 

Figure A2.2 

Distribution of sediment types recorded from the of grab samples collected 

during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

155

Figure A2.3 Bray-Curtis similarity analysis dendrogram for the infauna from the grab 

samples collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Note - grab stations have been incorrectly prefixed with the letter C (instead of G) in this figure 

0 

20 

Percentage similarity 

40 

60 

80 

100 

A 

C22 

C23 

C1 

C21 

C11 

B C 

C24 

C2 

C10 

D 

C7 

C4 

C3 

C12 

C9 

C14 

C5 

C13 

C20 

E 

C6 

C17 

C15 

C18 

C8 

C19 

Figure A2.4 

Multi-dimensional scaling plot of the infauna from the grab samples collected 

during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Note - grab stations have been incorrectly prefixed with the letter C (instead of G) in this figure 

Stress: 0.11 

C1 

C9 

C7 

C14 

C4 

C23 

C22 

C6 

C8 

C19 

C18 

C12 

C2 

C3 

C10 C11 

C5 

C20 C24 

C21 

C15 

C17 

C13 

156

Appendix 3 

Macrofaunal and sediment analysis of cores collected from two 

Zostera marina beds during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

The analysis of the infaunal data from the Zostera marina cores shows that, despite a strong 

similarity in sediment characteristics, the fauna of the two sites is very different and the 

Canna samples have twice as much organic matter as the Rum samples. The raw data are 

presented in Tables A3.1 and A3.2. The Canna location is much more sheltered than the 

relatively exposed Rum location and it is quite probable that the exposure and the difference 

in organic matter together account for the considerable difference between the infaunal 

communities. 

The univariate analysis of the core data is presented in Table A3.3. This shows that the 

diversity at both sites was quite low and that there were approximately three times more 

taxa, five times more individuals and a greater richness and diversity in the Canna samples 

than in the Rum ones. A Bray-Curtis similarity analysis (Figure A3.1) identified two main 

groups within the samples (Group A All Canna cores; Group C Rum cores Z02.2 to Z02.5) 

with one sample from Rum (Z02.1) separating from the others. The difference between the 

three groups of samples is emphasised further by a Multi-Dimensional Scaling Plot (MDS) 

(Figure A3.2). Subsequent analysis by the SIMPER test in PRIMER 5 highlighted the 

species and their abundances which contributed most to the dissimilarity between the 

infaunal samples in groups A and C (Table A3.4). 

The infaunal communities from Canna and Rum had characteristics of the biotopes 

SS.SSa.IMuSa.FfabMag and SS.SSa.IFiSa.NcirBat respectively. They could also be 

considered to be part of the SS.SSa.IMuSa.EcorEns biotope; this can be regarded as a 

biotope complex encompassing both FfabMag and NcirBat. This is consistent with infaunal 

communities generally associated with the epibiotic overlay that is a typical Zostera marina 

biotope. Therefore although there were significant differences between the two sites, the 

communities can be considered to be related and represent different elements of a biotope 

complex. 

Table A3.1 

Analysis of sediment characteristics for 2010 Sound of Canna seagrass bed 

samples 

Site Size Phi Canna Z01 Rum Z02 

Medium pebble (gravel) > 8 mm < -3 0 0 

Small pebble (gravel) 4-8 mm -2 to -3 0 0 

Granule 2-4 mm -1 to -2 0.07 0.05 

Sand - very coarse 1-2000 µm 0 to -1 0.15 0.35 

Sand - coarse 500-1000 µm 1 to 0 0.22 1.96 

Sand - medium 250-500 µm 2 to 1 2.54 10.83 

Sand - fine 125-250 µm 3 to 2 66.72 54.05 

Sand - very fine 63-125 µm 4 to 3 29.41 31.34 

Silt & Clay < 63 µm >4 0.89 1.42 

Fine sand Fine sand 

% Organic Matter (by LOI) 3.18 1.53 

157

Table A3.2 

Species recorded from cores taken in the seagrass beds on Canna (Z01) and 

Kilmory Bay, Rum (Z02) 

MCS Canna Z01 Kilmory Bay Z02 

Species 

Code 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 

Edwardsia claparedii D13410 1 

Nemertea sp. A G00001 2 1 1 

Sigalion mathildae (part) P01810 1 

Magelona filiformis P13630 11 4 30 33 16 1 1 

Magelona mirabilis P13650 1 1 

Magelona alleni P13620 1 3 1 1 2 

Exogone hebes P07440 1 

Anaitides mucosa P02570 1 1 1 2 1 

Nephtys juv. P08670 1 1 

Nephtys cirrosa P08700 1 1 2 2 

Spio decorata P13350 2 

Microspio mecznikowianus P13380 1 

Chaetozone setosa (part) P14030 1 

Euclymene oerstedii P16330 1 

Scalibregma inflatum P17430 1 

Owenia fusiformis P18360 1 

Capitella capitata P15310 1 

Polycirrus aurantiacus P21190 1 

Galathowenia oculata P18280 1 

Tubificoides benedii P24870 2 1 1 3 

Perioculodes longimanus S02280 2 4 2 1 1 

Amphilochus neapolitanus S02800 1 

Ampelisca brevicornis S07100 3 1 4 1 1 3 

Harpinia antennaria S04380 1 

Bathyporeia pilosa S07460 2 2 

Bathyporeia pelagica S07450 3 1 5 1 

Corophium crassicorne S10230 3 10 7 4 5 

Phtisica marina S10960 3 1 

Pariambus typicus S10840 1 

Caprella acanthifera S10720 1 

Iphinoe trispinosa S20150 1 3 1 1 

Liocarcinus sp. S26660 1 

Angulus tenuis W20460 1 

Cochlodesma praetenue W23610 1 1 

Lucinoma borealis W18420 1 

Dosinia exoleta W21660 1 

Mysella bidentata W19050 3 

Fabulina fabula W20570 6 1 3 1 1 2 2 2 

Tellimya ferruginosa W19110 3 1 

Echinocardium cordatum ZB04070 1 1 1 1 

Phoronis sp. ZA00030 1 

Total no of taxa 11 12 17 17 18 3 8 6 3 3 

Total no of 

individuals/weight (g) 

31 30 60 65 41 3 10 8 6 5 

158

Table A3.3 

Results of univariate analyses of the macroinfauna from cores taken in the 

seagrass beds (Canna Z01, Rum Z02) 

Sample 


taxa 

S 


individuals 

N 

Margalef's 

Richness 

d 

Pielou's 

Evenness 

J' 

Shannon- 

Wiener 

Diversity 

H' (loge) 

Simpson's 

Dominance 

1-Lambda' 

Sediment 

type 

Loss on 

ignition 

% 

Z01.1 11 32 2.89 0.84 2.01 0.84 Fine sand 3.18 










Figure A3.1 

Bray-Curtis similarity analysis dendrogram for the infauna from the seagrass 

bed core samples collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Note - the cores have been prefixed with the letters R (for Rum) and C (for Canna) in this figure 

rather than the Z prefix; to this end C2 is Z01.2 etc. 

Sound of Canna Zostera infaunal cores 

0 

20 

Similarity 

40 

60 

80 

100 

R5 

R2 

R3 

R4 

R1 

C5 

C3 

C1 

C2 

C4 

C B A 

159

Table A3.4 

SIMPER analysis of the clusters A and C produced by the Bray-Curtis 

analysis in Figure A3.1 

Av. Av. Av. 

Species 

Diss/SD 

Abund Abund Diss 

Magelona filiformis 18.80 0.25 32.00 2.40 

Contrib. 

% 

Cum. 

% 

Corophium crassicorne 5.8 0 12.18 1.56 13.69 49.66 

Fabulina fabula 2.4 1.5 3.97 0.98 4.46 54.12 

Bathyporeia pelagica 2 0 3.71 1.13 4.17 58.29 

Magelona alleni 1.6 0 3.53 1.38 3.97 62.26 

Ampelisca brevicornis 1.8 1 3.15 1.17 3.54 65.79 

Perioculodes longimanus 1.6 0.25 2.92 1.25 3.28 69.07 

Tubificoides benedii 1.4 0 2.69 1.43 3.02 72.09 

Nephtys cirrosa 0.2 1.25 2.42 1.21 2.71 74.81 

Bathyporeia pilosa 0.8 0 2.1 0.79 2.36 77.16 

Iphinoe trispinosa 1 0.25 1.69 1.07 1.89 79.06 

Anaitides mucosa 0.4 1 1.66 1.04 1.87 80.93 

Figure A3.2 

Multi-dimensional scaling plot of the seagrass bed infaunal core samples 

collected during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Note - the cores have been prefixed with the letters R (for Rum) and C (for Canna) in this figure 

rather than the Z prefix; to this end C2 is Z01.2 etc. 

R3 

R2 

C5 

Stress: 0.1 

R1 

B 

R5 

C4 

C2 

C3 

C 

R4 

C1 

A 

160

Appendix 4 

Photo and video logs - 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Table A4.1 

Table A4.2 

Table A4.3 

Log of photographs taken during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Drop-down video log, 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

Diver video log, 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

161

Table A4.1 

Log of photographs taken during the 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

File Name Subject Site Name Island 

Site 

Number 

Date Photographer 

20100829_01_FDB_8293360 Tom Mercer coring Zostera bed Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 



20100829_01_FDB_8293369 

Sparse Zostera, Fucus serratus and 

filamentous browns 

Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293370 Sparse Zostera and filamentous browns Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293371 Tubular Ulva species Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293372 Sparse Zostera habitat Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 





20100829_01_FDB_8293378 Sparse Zostera Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293379 Branched filamentous brown algae Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293380 Fine filamentous brown algae Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293381 Fine filamentous brown algae on Zostera Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293382 Ulva ?compressa Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293383 Fucus serratus Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293388 Sparse Zostera with Alaria and juvenile flat fish Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_FDB_8293390 Cerianthus lloydii Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 



20100829_01_FDB_8293394 

Terebellid worm spreads tentacles over the 


Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303395 Upper circalittoral on cliff showing habitat Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303396 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Securiflustra 

securifrons on cliff 

Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303397 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Securiflustra 

securifrons and Nemertesia antennina 


20100830_02_FDB_8303398 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Cliona and 

Corynactis 


20100830_02_FDB_8303399 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Cliona and 

Corynactis 


162


Site 

Number 


20100830_02_FDB_8303400 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Stelligera 

stuposa 


20100830_02_FDB_8303404 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Caryophyllia and 

Parasmittina trispinosa 


20100830_02_FDB_8303405 

Lower circalittoral habitat with encrusting 

Corallinaceae, Nemertesia antennina and Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

Corynactis 

20100830_02_FDB_8303406 Tom Mercer videoing Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303407 

Lower circalittoral habitat with Corynactis 

viridis 


20100830_02_FDB_8303408 

Upper circalittoral on cliff habitat with sparse 

foliose algae, Securiflustra securifrons and Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

Corynactis viridis 

20100830_02_FDB_8303409 Tom Mercer videoing Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303410 Upper circalittoral with Rhodophyllis irvineorum Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 



20100830_02_FDB_8303413 Upper circalittoral with Porania pulvillus Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303414 

Lower infralittoral with Kallymenia reniformis 

and Heterosiphonia plumosa 


20100830_02_FDB_8303416 Lower infralittoral with Kallymenia reniformis Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303417 Lower infralittoral Acrosorium venulosum Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303418 Lower infralittoral Heterosiphonia plumosa Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303419 Lower infralittoral habtiat Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303420 

Lower infralittoral with Acrosorium venulosum 

growing on kelp stipe 


20100830_02_FDB_8303421 

Lower infralittoral sediment shelf with 

Phyllophora crispa 


20100830_02_FDB_8303422 Lower infralittoral habtiat Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303423 Lower infralittoral habitat Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303424 Lower infralittoral with Heterosiphonia plumosa Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303425 Infralittoral kelp stipes Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303427 Upper infralittoral mixed red algae Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303428 Upper infralittoral Callophyllis laciniata Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303429 Upper infralittoral mixed algae Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 


163


Site 

Number 



20100830_02_FDB_8303432 Upper infralittoral habitat Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100830_02_FDB_8303433 Upper infralittoral Acrosorium venulosum Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313434 Clapper board Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313435 Tom's jumping into water Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313437 Kelp forest habitat Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 





20100831_06_FDB_8313443 Aglaozonia on kelp forest floor Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313446 Boulders with algae in gullies in kelp forest Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313448 ?Diphasia on kelp stipes (see specimen) Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313449 Cobbles in gullies in Kelp forest Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313450 Saccharina latissima Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313451 Echinus esculentus grazing kelp stipe Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313453 Kallymenia reniformis and Dictyota dichotoma Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313455 Obelia geniculata Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313456 Kelp stipe with epibiota Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313458 Saccorhiza polyschides Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313461 Saccorhiza polyschides Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313464 Gravel lined gully in kelp forest Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100831_06_FDB_8313466 

Pickup boat approaches with Canna in 

background 

Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100901_10_FDB_9013469 

Laminaria hyperborea holdfasts, lower stipes 

and surrounding rock 

A'Bhrideanach Rum Dive_10 01/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100901_10_FDB_9013470 

Laminaria hyperborea holdfasts, lower stipes 

and surrounding rock 


20100901_10_FDB_9013477 

Laminaria hyperborea forest habitat showing 

thalli of all ages 


20100901_10_FDB_9013478 

Laminaria hyperborea stipes festooned with 

epipbiota (mainly Membranoptera alata and A'Bhrideanach Rum Dive_10 01/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

Ptilota gunneri) 

20100901_10_FDB_9013479 

Laminaria hyperborea forest showing stout 

rough shafted thalli 


164


Site 

Number 


20100901_10_FDB_9013480 Gully with Alcyonium digitatum A'Bhrideanach Rum Dive_10 01/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100901_10_FDB_9013491 Laminaria hyperborea fronds A'Bhrideanach Rum Dive_10 01/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100901_10_FDB_9013495 Tom Mercer on the blob A'Bhrideanach Rum Dive_10 01/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_12_FDB_9023500 Tom taking video imagery on sediment seabed NW Sgeir a Phuirt Canna Dive_12 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_12_FDB_9023501 Turritella shells on muddy seabed NW Sgeir a Phuirt Canna Dive_12 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_12_FDB_9023504 Nephrops norvegicus NW Sgeir a Phuirt Canna Dive_12 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_12_FDB_9023513 Pecten maximus NW Sgeir a Phuirt Canna Dive_12 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023520 Cobble and pebble plain W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023522 Cobble and pebble plain with occasional algae W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023523 Cobble and pebble plain with occasional algae W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023525 Tom Mercer recording on pebble seabed W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023527 Lower infralittoral pebbles W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023530 Luidia ciliaris W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023531 Taurulus bubalis W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023533 Algae on pebbles W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_14_FDB_9023534 Algae on pebbles W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100902_FDB_2542 

Sargassum photographed from above water at 

Rum jetty 

Rum ferry pier Rum 02/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100903_15_FDB_9033539 Sparse Zostera marina Kilmory Bay Zostera Rum Dive_15 03/09/2010 Francis Bunker 







20100903_15_FDB_9033546 

Saccharina latissima, Arenicola and Sabella on 

sand in Zostera bed 

Kilmory Bay Zostera Rum Dive_15 03/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100903_15_FDB_9033547 Liocarcinus depurator in Zostera Kilmory Bay Zostera Rum Dive_15 03/09/2010 Francis Bunker 







165


Site 

Number 



20100905_FDB_2553 Piece of maerl photographed on deck W of Guirdil Rum Dive_14 05/09/2010 Francis Bunker 

20100829_01_LS_3709 Sparse Zostera with filamentous brown algae Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3710 Sparse Zostera, typical of bed. Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3711 Pagurus bernhardus on Zostera Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3713 Cerianthus lloydii Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3714 Lacuna vincta abundant on Zostera Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3716 Pagurus bernhardus on Zostera Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3719 Cerianthus lloydii Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3725 Sparse Zostera, typical of bed Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100829_01_LS_3727 Amphiura sp. arms Canna Zostera bed Canna Dive_1 29/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_02_LS_3762 Gibbula cineraria Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_02_LS_3765 Dictyota dichotoma Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_02_LS_3766 Corallinaceae indet. Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_02_LS_3771 Holothuria forskali Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_02_LS_3772 Holothuria forskali Great Wall of Canna Sanday Dive_2 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_03_LS_3799 Cancer pagurus Compass Hill Canna Dive_3 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_03_LS_3800 Edwardsia claparedii Compass Hill Canna Dive_3 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 



20100830_03_LS_3811 Cancer pagurus Compass Hill Canna Dive_3 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_03_LS_3812 Obelia geniculata Compass Hill Canna Dive_3 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100830_03_LS_3816 Stalked jellyfish, this individual collected Compass Hill Canna Dive_3 30/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3822 Securiflustra securifrons SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3824 Corynactis viridis SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3827 Halecium halecinum SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3828 Epizoanthus couchii SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3833 Parasmittina trispinosa SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3838 Corynactis viridis habitat SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3839 Corynactis viridis habitat SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3841 Sponges and Corynactis SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3843 Sponges and Corynactis SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3850 Polycera faeroensis SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3865 Alcyonium digitatum on kelp stipe SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

166


Site 

Number 


20100831_05_LS_3871 Aslia lefevrei SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_05_LS_3872 Pawsonia saxicola SE tip of Sanday Sanday Dive_5 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3877 Aglaophenia tubulifera Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3878 Palaemon sp. Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3879 Lanice conchilega Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3880 Palaemon sp. Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3881 Caprellid on hydroid Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 



20100831_06_LS_3887 Dog fish Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3888 Dog fish Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3889 Myxicola infundibulum Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3890 Munida rugosa Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3898 Pecten maximus Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3899 Pecten maximus Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3900 Encrusting sponge Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3904 Sargartia elegans Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3905 Sargartia elegans Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3906 Ascidia mentula Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3907 

Parasmittina trispinosa and Caryophyllia 

smithii 

Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3909 Callophyllis laciniata Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100831_06_LS_3910 Callophyllis laciniata Reef NE Kilmory Bay Rum Dive_6 31/08/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3915 Lanice conchilega W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3916 Cerianthus lloydii W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3917 Cerianthus lloydii W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3919 Cancer pagurus W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3924 Scinaia sp. W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 


20100901_07_LS_3926 Luidia ciliaris W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3927 Luidia ciliaris W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3929 Plocamium cartilagineum W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 


20100901_07_LS_3932 Chaetopterus variopedatus W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

167


Site 

Number 


20100901_07_LS_3933 Chaetopterus variopedatus W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3934 Pagurus prideaux W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3935 Pagurus prideaux W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 


20100901_07_LS_3937 Obelia geniculata W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3939 Red alga W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3940 Odonthalia dentata W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100901_07_LS_3941 Callophyllis laciniata W An-t-Each Canna Dive_7 01/09/2010 Louise Scally 

20100902_11_LS_3989 Nephrops norvegicus E of Rubha Carr-innis Canna Dive_11 02/09/2010 Louise Scally 


20100902_11_LS_3991 Sargartiogeton laceratus E of Rubha Carr-innis Canna Dive_11 02/09/2010 Louise Scally 


20100902_11_LS_3994 Liocarcinus depurator E of Rubha Carr-innis Canna Dive_11 02/09/2010 Louise Scally 











20100830_CMH_5821.JPG Dry suit repairs Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 


20100830_CMH_5823.JPG Yacht coming into harbour Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5824.JPG Church Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 


20100830_CMH_5826.JPG Compressing Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5827.JPG Lab facilities Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5828.JPG Filling in forms Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5829.JPG Camera maintenance Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5830.JPG Filling in forms Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

20100830_CMH_5831.JPG Compressing Canna Harbour 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 

168


Site 

Number 


20100830_CMH_5832.JPG Views of Canna Sound of Canna 30/08/2010 Christine Howson 







20100901_CMH_5839.JPG View of Skye Sound of Canna 01/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100901_CMH_5840.JPG Loch Scresort, Rum Loch Scresort, Rum 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 



20100902_CMH_5843.JPG Mark Woombs, boat skipper Loch Scresort, Rum 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5844.JPG Lophelia, dive charter boat Loch Scresort, Rum 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5845.JPG SMBs on surface Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5846.JPG View of Skye Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 


20100902_CMH_5848.JPG View of Canna Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5849.JPG Divers on surface Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 





20100902_CMH_5854.JPG Yacht motoring past, Skye behind Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5855.JPG Compass Hill, Canna Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5856.JPG Tom Mercer Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5857.JPG Tom Mercer, Francis Bunker Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5858.JPG Canna with Skye behind Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5859.JPG Church, Canna Harbour Canna Harbour 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5860.JPG Canna Harbour Canna Harbour 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5861.JPG Canna Harbour Canna Harbour 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

20100902_CMH_5862.JPG Jellyfish Canna Harbour 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 



20100902_CMH_5865.JPG Basking shark Canna Harbour 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

169


Site 

Number 
















20100902_CMH_5880.JPG Rum Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 








20100902_CMH_5888.JPG View of Canna Sound of Canna 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 






20100902_CMH_5894.JPG 

Sargassum photographed from above water at 

Rum jetty 

Loch Scresort, Rum 02/09/2010 Christine Howson 

170

Table A4.2 

Drop-down video log, 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

File Name File size Folder Site No Date 

Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Camera system 

SdCannaA12.mpg 1,635,311,616 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A12 21/09/2010 168 - 202 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 

SdCannaA120.mpg 231,606,272 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A120 21/09/2010 188 - 89 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 











SdCannaA135to136.mpg 303,843,328 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A135to136 21/09/2010 77 - 80 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 













171


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Camera system 





SdCannaA165_1.mpg 151,363,584 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A165_1 21/09/2010 218 - 190 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 

SdCannaA167.mpg 85,606,400 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A167 26/09/2010 97 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 











SdCannaA195_1.mpg 416,061,440 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A195_1 22/09/2010 228 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 

SdCannaA195_2.mpg 987,797,504 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Aora_Deep\ A195_2 22/09/2010 221 - 229 m UMBSM Kongsberg-Simrad UW video (OE 1362) 









172


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Camera system 










SdCannaDD1.mpg 194,781,184 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD1 07/08/2010 3 - 2 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDD12_1.mpg 555,505,664 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD12_1 07/08/2010 13 - 30 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 



SdCannaDD15_1.mpg 216,565,760 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD15_1 05/08/2010 1.3 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 



SdCannaDD16_1.mpg 354,035,712 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD16_1 05/08/2010 13 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 








SdCannaDD2.mpg 428,779,520 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD2 07/08/2010 4.4 - 6.3 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 


173


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Camera system 




SdCannaDD22.mpg 167,264,256 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD22 05/08/2010 11 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 





SdCannaDD26_1.mpg 135,442,432 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD26_1 06/08/2010 4.3 - 2.3 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 















SdCannaDD44_1.mpg 1,271,715,840 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD44_1 06/08/2010 4 - 27 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 


SdCannaDD46_1.mpg 818,186,240 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Inshore\ DD46_1 06/08/2010 2.4 - 8 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

174


Depth 

In - Out 

(m bcd) 

Camera system 











SdCannaM01.mpg 2,087,739,392 CannaVideo_MPEG2\MaerlatGuirdil\ M01 26/09/2010 19 - 14 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaM02.mpg 335,665,152 CannaVideo_MPEG2\MaerlatGuirdil\ M02 26/09/2010 20 - 16 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaM03.mpg 249,149,440 CannaVideo_MPEG2\MaerlatGuirdil\ M03 26/09/2010 25 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaM04.mpg 107,290,624 CannaVideo_MPEG2\MaerlatGuirdil\ M04 26/09/2010 26 m ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 




175

Table A4.3 

Diver video log, 2010 Sound of Canna survey 

File Name File size Folder 

Site 

Number 

Date Site Name Camera system 

SdCannaDiveSite08.mpg 1,008,783,360 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite08 01/09/2010 E An-t-Each ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite01.mpg 319,287,296 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite01 29/08/2010 Canna Zostera Bed ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite02.mpg 994,699,264 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite02 30/08/2010 Great Wall of Canna ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite03.mpg 946,995,200 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite03 30/08/2010 Compass Hill ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite05.mpg 757,751,808 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite05 31/08/2010 SE tip of Sanday ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite12.mpg 595,615,744 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite12 02/09/2010 NW Sgeir a Phuirt ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

SdCannaDiveSite13.mpg 364,603,392 CannaVideo_MPEG2\Dive videos\ DiveSite13 02/09/2010 Sgeir a'Phuirt ASML Sony 3CCD DV camera (DRV 950) 

176

www.snh.gov.uk 

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2012 

ISBN: 978-1-85397-733-6 

Policy and Advice Directorate, Great Glen House, 

Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW 

T: 01463 725000 

You can download a copy of this publication from the SNH website.

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