UPDATE: Northeast 2019 Sea Scallop Survey Ends
The 2019 Northeast sea scallop survey has ended a day earlier than initially planned, terminating operations today instead of tomorrow. This survey uses both a dredge and a towed vehicle known as the HabCam, which is fitted with a number of sampling instruments including cameras that photograph the ocean bottom.
All dredge stations were completed. However, owing to foul weather and loss of the HabCam vehicle for several days in the past week, portions of the survey planned for HabCam in the Great South Channel were not completed. The NEFSC is looking into alternatives with other researchers in the region for surveying the area missed.
A more comprehensive summary of cruise results will be issued shortly.
The survey got underway May 15 aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp surveying at stations from the Mid-Atlantic and on Georges Bank. On the night of June 6, the HabCam hit a very large boulder while under tow and was separated from the ship. Dredging operations continued over the next 3 days while a commercial dive team was contracted to assist with recovery of the HabCam, which occurred on June 10.
The HabCam was redeployed on June 12, but encountered an electrical problem after a few hours. Operations were back on track today, but high winds expected through tomorrow forced an end the survey.
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