Digital aerial seabird and cetacean surveys off the east coast of Scotland

This report provides eight digital aerial surveys of seabirds and marine mammals across the seas east of Scotland between February 2020-January 2021, a task driven by the need of updating existing data. The main difference was seen in seabird distribution, with little change to cetacean abundance.


Appendix II: Survey observations

During the Survey an APEM Camera Technician was stationed within the aircraft to oversee data collection. The technician also recorded observational data, such as vessels, large marine mammals and weather data. Windspeed, wind direction and air temperature are all observed from instruments within the aircraft. Visibility was determined by how far the observer could see out the aircraft. Sea State was recorded using the Beaufort Sea State (see below), cloud cover recordings were based on Okta (see below).

Sea State Scale

0 - Calm

1 - Rippled

2 - Smooth

3 - Slightly moderate

4 - No Surveys conducted in these conditions

Cloud Cover Scale

0 % - Clear

1–10% - Few

11–50% - Scattered

51–95% - Broken

96–100% - Overcast

Contact

Email: REEAadmin@gov.scot

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