2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) North Islay seabed camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey around northwest Islay was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), and to ground-truth multibeam data. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by MSS for MSS on the 17th of May 2010 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 9 sites in the area. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages.