Norway Lobster Burrow Densities from Underwater TV Surveys, 2007 Onwards

Scottish underwater TV surveys estimate the distribution and abundance of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) burrows. The data is collected from Nephrops Functional Units of significance to Scotland, with footage recorded onto DVD for analysis. The organization listed is the Government Digital Service.

Use Cases

• Modeling Nephrops norvegicus population density based on burrow counts from survey footage.
• Analyzing benthic community composition based on records of other fauna mentioned in the description.
• Mapping species distribution across specified Functional Units in Scottish waters.
• Assessing habitat suitability and fishing stock health from long-term burrow density trends.

Strengths

• Data collection uses a standardized method: 10-minute tows of an underwater camera sledge.
• Surveys are conducted within defined Nephrops Functional Units, providing structured spatial coverage.
• The dataset includes records of other benthic fauna, enabling broader ecological analysis.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service

Collection Method

Underwater TV footage from towed camera sledge at specified stations, recorded to DVD for analysis.

Time Range

2007 onwards

Freshness

Data collection is stated as '2007 onwards'; specific end date and update frequency are unknown.

Geography

Nephrops Functional Units of significance to Scotland