Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating | Data collection frequency | Reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Weather and Climate | Wind Speed and Air Temperature | FRS Scottish Ocean Climate Status | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly from Met Stations | Collated by FRS in the Scottish Ocean Climate Status Report on a biennial basis. | Met Office and British Atmospheric Data Centre | Average presented for 1961 - 1990 with recent measurements compared to normal. Most recent published data is 2004 and 2005 | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea (Stornoway), Shetland, East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen and Leuchars). |
Rainfall | FRS Scottish Ocean Climate Status | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly from Met Stations | Collated by FRS in the Scottish Ocean Climate Status Report on a biennial basis. | Met Office and British Atmospheric Data Centre | Average presented for 1961 - 1990 with recent measurements compared to normal. Most recent published data is 2004 and 2005 | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea (Stornoway), Shetland, East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen and Leuchars). |
Hydrometric Network Rain Gauges | Yes - data held in SEPA's HIMS database. | Data on some sites is reported to MET Office. | III | Either event intensity, or every 15 minutes. | SEPA | SEPA | Variable - depends on site | Most of Scotland |
Sea | Sea Surface Temperature | Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | Weekly - Stonehaven Hourly - Loch Ewe | 6 monthly | FRS | Stonehaven: 1997 - present Loch Ewe: 2002 - Present | East Scotland Coast (Stonehaven), and Minches and Malin Sea (Loch Etive). |
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Inshore Coastal Long Term Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly | 6 monthly | FRS | Mallaig: 1999 - present Millport: 1953 - present Loch Maddy: 2003 - present Orkney: 1999 - present Shetland: 1999 - present Fair Isle: 2003 - present Ythan: 2005 - present Findon: 1996 - present Cromarty: 2003 - present North Berwick: 2006 - present Torridon: 2006 - present | Clyde, Minches and Malin Sea, North Scotland Coast, Shetland, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth. |
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Routine Water Quality Monitoring Programme for Various Drivers ( WFD, OSPAR, UWWTD, DSD) | Yes | No | III | Quarterly | Not reported | SEPA | 1970s to present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Salinity | Hydrographic Stations and standard cruise thermosalinograph | Yes | Yes | III | Periodic | Periodic in conjunction with annual cruise programmes e.g. IBTS | FRS; then data transferred to BODC and ICES data centres | Hydrographic Stations: 1960 - present Thermosalinograph: 1987 - present | All regions |
Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | Weekly | 6 monthly | FRS | Stonehaven: 1997 - present Loch Ewe: 2002 - Present | East Scotland Coast (Stonehaven), and Minches & Malin Sea (Loch Etive). |
Inshore Coastal Long Term Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | Weekly | 6 monthly | FRS | Loch Maddy: 2003 - present Orkney: 1999 - present Shetland: 1999 - present Fair Isle: 2003 - present Ythan: 2005 - present Torridon: 2006 - present | Minches & Malin Sea, North Scotland Coast, Shetland, East Scotland Coast. |
Offshore Ecosystem Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | 3 times per year | Annual | FRS | Faroe-Shetland Channel: 1903 - present Jonsis line (east of Orkney): 1972 - present | Faroe-Shetland Channel, West Shetland and Fladen (Jonsis line) |
Routine Water Quality Monitoring Programme for Various Drivers ( WFD, OSPAR, UWWTD, DSD) | Yes | No | III | Quarterly | Not reported (used to normalise winter nutrients) | SEPA | 1970s to present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Site Condition Monitoring - lagoons | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2002 - Present | Selected lagoons |
Ocean Temperature Profiles | Hydrographic Stations and standard cruise thermosalinograph | Yes | Yes | III | Periodic | Periodic in conjunction with annual cruise programmes e.g. IBTS | FRS Data transferred to BODC and ICES data centres | Hydrographic Stations: 1960 - present Thermosalinograph: 1987 - present | All regions |
Offshore Standard Oceanographic Sections | Yes | Yes | III | April/May, Sept/Oct, Dec | Annual | FRS Data transferred to BODC and ICES data centres | Faroe-Shetland Channel: 1903 - present Jonsis line (east of Orkney): 1972 - present | Faroe-Shetland Channel, West Shetland, and Fladen (Jonsis line). |
Ocean Currents | Offshore Ecosystem Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly | Annual | FRS Data transferred to BODC and ICES data centres | 1994 - present | Faroe Shetland Channel |
Changes in Sea Level | Coastal and Estuarine Flood Warning | Yes | No | III | Every 15 mins | Not Reported | SEPA | 1996-Present | Clyde |
Inputs | Freshwater Inputs from Major Rivers | Yes - data held in SEPA's HIMS database | Yes - and used to calculate OSPAR loadings | III | Every 15 minutes, converted to flow via rating curve | | SEPA | Variable - depends on site | Most major Scottish rivers |
Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating | Data collection frequency | Reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Microbiology | Microbial Contamination | Shellfish Microbiological Contamination Monitoring (Shellfish Hygiene Directive Classification based on E. coli) | Yes | Yes | III | Monthly (Maximum of 9 per year) | Annual report to the Food Standards Agency Scotland | FRS and SSQC Ltd | 1992 - present | Shellfish production areas: Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, West Shetland, East Shetland, Moray Firth. |
Sediment Microbiological Quality | FEPA Sewage Sludge Disposal sites Check Monitoring | Yes | Yes | II | Cyclic triennial programme | Annual | FRS (and licensees) | 1985 - 1998 | Forth (St Abbs Head & Bell Rock) and Clyde (Garroch Head). |
Microbiological Quality of Shellfish Flesh (sites achieving Class A or SGW guideline standard) | SEPA Shellfish Growing Waters programme | Yes | Yes | III | Quarterly | Annually | SEPA | 1982-present | Clyde, Minches & Malin, North Scotland Coast, West & East Scotland, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Bathing Water Quality | Bathing Waters Monitoring Programme | Yes | Yes | III | 20x during the Summer Season (1/4 15/9) | Annually | SEPA | 1987-present | Clyde, Minches & Malin, North Scotland Coast, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Eutrophication | CSEMP Determinants | CSEMP Monitoring Programme (Comprehensive Procedure and EU Directive Assessments) | Yes | Yes | III | SEPA - rolling monitoring programme | Every few years. Nutrients data are routinely reported, but other parameters (e.g. chl. & phytoplankto n) not routinely reported | MERMAN/ FRS, SEPA, | 2001 - present | Areas designated under the OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure |
Winter Nutrient Time Series | Yes | Data submitted to MERMAN & ICES | III | Annual | Annual | FRS | 2001 - present | Coastal around Scotland - Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, West Shetland, East Shetland, Fladen, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth. |
Sea Loch Nutrient 'Hotspot' Monitoring | Nutrients and ratios, chlorophyll, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton, macroalgal cover | Yes | Yes 1. OSPAR 2. FRSUKAS archive | III | Winter, spring and summer surveys in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Winter only in 2003 | Winter, spring and summer surveys in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Winter only in 2003 | FRS and SEPA | 2002 - 2006 | Sea lochs in Minches & Malin Sea and Hebrides and Voes in East and West Shetland. |
Litter | Bathing Waters Directive | Component of aesthetics monitoring. | Yes | Yes | II | During Bathing Waters season. | Annual | SEPA | 1996-present | Most coastal areas |
Integrated classification | Integrated Water Quality | Estuary & Coastal Waters Classification Scheme (now WFD) | Yes | Yes | III | Annual | Annual | SEPA | 1985-2006 | Forth & Clyde estuaries & most coastal areas |
Contaminants in the environment | Prevalence of Externally Visible Fish Disease and Liver Neoplasia/ Hyperplasia | East coast dab contaminant and disease monitoring programme PAH, Bile metabolites, EROD | Yes | Yes, annually to ICES | II | Annual | Annual | FRS Contaminants Database ICES Database (Fish disease) | 2000 - present | North Scotland Coast (Fair Isle), Moray Firth, Forth (St Abbs Head & Bell Rock) and Forties (Marr Bank). |
Concentrations of Naturally Occurring Substances and Xenobiotics | Clyde Trend Monitoring: PAHs, CBs, metals in fish liver, Bile metabolites, EROD, | Yes | Yes through FRS Reports and Journals | III | Annual | Biennial | FRS Contaminants database | Garroch Head and Pladda - 1993 - present Four additional Clyde Sites and two reference sites - 1999 - present | Clyde Reference Sites - Minches & Malin Sea (Colonsay and Broad Bay). |
Contaminant Concentrations in Sediment | Clyde Trend Monitoring: Hazardous Substances | Yes | Yes through FRS Reports and Journals | III | Annual | Biennial | FRS Contaminants database | Garroch Head and Pladda - 1993 - present Four additional Clyde Sites and two reference sites - 1999 - present | Clyde Reference Sites - Minches & Malin Sea (Colonsay and Broad Bay). |
CSEMP Monitoring Programme: | Yes | Yes, annually to OSPAR | II | Annual | Annual | FRSUKAS Archive FRS Contamin | 1999 - present | Initially 6 sites covering Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea, Moray |
PAHs, CBs, PBDEs, metals | | | | | | ants Database MERMANICES Database | | Firth and East Scotland Coast. Revision includes East & West Shetland and Fladen. |
PAHs in Coastal sediments | Yes | Yes | III | Periodic | Periodic | FRS | 1997 - 2001 | Shetland, North Scotland Coast (Orkney), Moray Firth and Minches and Malin Sea. |
Hydrocarbons in Offshore Sediments | Yes | Yes | III | Periodic | Periodic | FRS | 1986 - 2002 | East Shetland, Fladen |
Contaminants in Deep Sea Fish | Deep sea fish Contaminant Monitoring Programme | Yes | Yes | III | Annual | Annual | FRS | 2006 - present | Rockall |
Imposex | Imposex in Marine Gastropods | Yes | Yes | III | Every 2 - 3 years in Sullom Voe; Every 3 - 5 years at other Scottish sites Annual rolling programme ( SEPA) | Every 2 - 3 years in Sullom Voe; Every 3 - 5 years at other Scottish sites | ICES Database FRS and other e.g. SOTEAG, reports SEPA | Periodic 1987 present | West Shetland (Sullom Voe) Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches and Malin Sea, North Scotland Coast, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Dredge Spoil Quality | FEPA Check Monitoring | Yes | Yes | II | Rolling annual programme | Annually to OSPAR | FRS in conjunction with FEPA Licensees | 1990 - present | 23 ports currently licensed around Scottish coast including islands |
Sediment Chemical Quality | FEPA Sea Disposal Site Check Monitoring | Yes | Yes | II | Rolling annual programme | Annually | FRS | 1990 - present | 23 sea disposal sites around Scottish coast including islands |
FEPA Sewage Sludge Disposal sites Check Monitoring | Yes | Yes | II | Cyclic triennial programme | Annual | FRS (and licensees) | 1975 - 1998 | Forth (St Abbs Head & Bell Rock) and Clyde (Garroch Head). |
Sediments in Biota and Water Column | CSEMP Benthic and Sediment Contaminant Background Monitoring: Waters - EQS Compliance for DSD (now WFD Operational); sediments - DSD standstill monitoring NMMP/ CSEMP (and WFD Surveillance); Biota - DSD standstill monitoring (now WFD Operational), Shellfish Directive and Mussel Watch | Yes | Yes | III | Waters Quarterly; sediments & biota annually | Annually to MERMAN | SEPA | Waters EQS Compliance 1987Present; Sediments 1987-Present; Biota 1982-Present | Clyde, Minches & Malin, North Scotland Coast, West & East Shetland, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Eco- Toxicology for Problem Discharges | Direct Toxicity Assessment of discharges | Yes | Yes | II | Every 2 months | Annually | SEPA | 1998-Present | Clyde, North Scotland Coast, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Radioactivity | Radioactivity in the marine environment | Radioactivity monitoring programme for Scotland | Yes | Yes | III | Annual | Annual | SEPA | 1996-present | Clyde, Minches & Malin, North Scotland Coast, Forth Estuary, East Scotland Coast |
Contaminants in food | Contaminants in seafood | Shellfish Contaminants Monitoring Programme (Shellfish Hygiene) Metals: Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pd. Organics: PAHs, CBs, OCPs | Yes | Yes | III | Following each sampling programme | Following each sampling programme | FRS Contaminants database; FSAS | Broken 2002 2004 2006 | Coastal from shellfish production areas and other ad hoc monitoring for the FSAS e.g. following the Jambo grounding |
Reference mussel monitoring for hazardous substances; OSPAR Hazardous Substances Strategy PAHs and CBs | Yes | Yes through FRS Reports | III | Monthly | Annual | FRS Contamin- ants database | Loch Etive - 1999 - present Loch Ewe, Bute, Shell Bay and Aberdeen - 2005 - present | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea and Forth. PBDEs also measured at East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen). |
Shellfish Toxins | Toxic Phytoplankton (Focus on Alexandrium spp., Dinophysis spp., Pseudonitzschia spp., Prorocentrum lima and Lingulodinium polyedrum) | Shellfish Contaminants Monitoring Programme (Shellfish Hygiene) | Yes | Yes | II | March to October - weekly November to February - monthly | Annual report published on FSA website | FRS | 1994 - 2005 | Coastal with a focus on: Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, West Shetland, East Shetland. |
Concentrations of PSP, DSP, and ASP | Shellfish Contaminants Monitoring Programme (Shellfish Hygiene Directive and subsequent legislation) | Yes | Yes | II | Summer - weekly Winter - fortnightly or monthly | Annual Reports. Since 2001 this programme funded by FSAS from whom reports are available | Pre-1996 - Food Science Laboratory Torry Post 1996 - FRS | Start Dates 1990 - PSP 1992 - DSP 1999 - ASP Programme ended at FRS in 2005 | Mainly coastal with a focus on Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, West Shetland, East Shetland. Some sites (e.g. offshore scallops) on east coast. |
Concentrations of Lipophilic Toxins | Passive Adsorption of Lipophilic Toxins onto Resins and Mussels | Yes | Yes | I | Weekly | EC Annual Reports | FRS | 2005 - ongoing for Loch Ewe 2007 - ongoing for Loch Torridon | Minches & Malin Sea (Lochs Ewe and Torridon). |
Surveillance of Lipophilic Shellfish Toxins | Yes | Yes | I | Random, 'opportunisti c' sampling | Report to the FSA | FRS | 2003 | Scottish coastal areas |
Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating | Data collection frequency | Reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Ecosystem Functioning and Climate Regulation | Sea Surface Temperature | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables |
Species as indicators of change | Site Condition Monitoring/Commo n Standards Monitoring of biological communities at selected sites | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Offshore biological monitoring - Calanus finmarchicusabundance | Yes | Yes | II | Annually (Dec) | Periodic | FRS | 1995 - present | Faroe-Shetland Channel |
Inshore ecosystem monitoring: phytoplankton community (including toxic species) zooplankton community chlorophyll nutrients temperature salinity | Yes | Yes | II | Weekly | 6 monthly | FRS | Stonehaven: 1997 - present Loch Ewe: 2000 - present (phytoplankton) 2002 - present | East Scotland Coast (Stonehaven) and Minches & Malin Sea (Loch Etive) |
Phytoplankton community time series (including toxic species) | Yes | Yes | III | Weekly | 6 monthly | FRS | Millport: 2005 - present Loch Maddy: 2003 - present Orkney: 2000 - present Shetland: 2000 - present | Clyde (Millport), Minches & Malin Sea (Loch Maddy), North Scotland Coast (Orkney) and West Shetland. |
Sandeel stocks | Yes | Yes | III | Annually | Annually | FRS | 1997-present | Wee Bankie |
1985 - 2007 | Shetland |
Benthic community studies in relation to temporal trends ( NMMP/ CSEMP) | Yes | Yes | III | Annually | Annually | SEPA | 1993-Present | Clyde, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
CSEMP Sediment toxicity testing | Yes | Yes | II | Annually | Annually | SEPA | 1999-Present | Clyde, Forth, Moray Firth |
Species as indicators of pollution e.g. organic | Site Condition Monitoring/Commo n Standards Monitoring at selected locations | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Benthic community studies in relation to discharges, dredge spoil grounds, sludge dumping sites and marine caged fish farms | Yes | No | III | Every 3 years | Not reported | SEPA | 1974-Present | Clyde, Forth, Minches & Malin, East Scotland Coast |
Imposex Monitoring ( OSPAR) | Yes | Yes | III | Every 3 years | Annual | SEPA | 1989-Present | Clyde, Minches & Malin, West & East Shetland, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast, Forth |
Seabed erosion and sediment type change | Site Condition Monitoring/Commo n Standards Monitoring: Particle size analyses of intertidal and subtidal sediments along transects at selected locations | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Distribution and Quality of Marine Habitats | Observed damage (e.g. trawl/dredge tracks) | Site Condition Monitoring/ Common Standards Monitoring | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | Selected sites |
Extent of habitats (area) | Site Condition Monitoring of extent of Serpula vermicularis reef, Modiolus modiolus beds, Seagrass beds, Maerl and Lophelia pertusa | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Distribution, extent and character of landscapes/ habitats | Site Condition Monitoring/Commo n Standards Monitoring on the extent/density of foxtail stonewort Lamprothamnium papulosum. | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Site Condition Monitoring/ Common Standards Monitoring on the species abundance/ composition of communities associated with Serpula vermicularis reefs, Modiolus modiolus beds, seagrass beds, maerl, rocky reef, subtidal and interdidal sediments, marine caves and Lophelia pertusa. | Yes | Yes | III | | Every six years | SNH | 2000 - Present | |
Species Abundance and Distribution | Benthic Monitoring | UKMMAS Benthic data set | Yes | Yes | II | Annual | Periodic | FRS | 2001 - Present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches and Malin Sea, Moray Firth, East Coast Scotland |
MAFCONS | Yes | Yes | II | Annual | Periodic | FRS | 2001 - 2004 | East Coast Scotland, Forties, Moray Firth, Fladen, East Shetland, West Shetland, North Scotland Coast, Minches and Malin Seas, Hebrides, Clyde, Irish Sea |
Fish stock assessment | Commercial fish and shellfish landings - Amount and Effort | Yes | Yes | II | Variable depending on vessels, markets, area | Annual | Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency ( SFPA) FRS receives copies | 1960s - present (1900 - 1960 on paper) | Main fishing areas by ICES Statistical rectangle |
Commercial fish and shellfish landings - Biological data | Yes | Yes | II | Variable - monthly or quarterly | Quarterly | FRS | 1960s - present (1900 - 1960 on paper) | Main fishing areas - stock dependent |
Commercial and Non-commercial Fish and Shellfish Discards (Observer Programme) | Yes | Yes | II | | Annual | FRS | 1975 - present | Main fishing areas |
Commercial and non-commercial fish and shellfish - distribution, abundance and biological data | Yes | Yes | II | By cruise. Variable depending on species. Some biannual, some annual | By cruise | FRS | 1970 - present (1900 - 1970 on paper) | Surveys designed to national and international ( ICES) programmes which are related to fish distributions |
Assessment of presence and absence of fish species | Yes | No | II | Quarterly/ Biannually | Not Reported | SEPA | 1974-Present | Clyde, Forth |
Assessment of fish species at cooling water intakes | Yes | Yes | I | Quarterly | Periodically | SEPA | 1982-Present | Clyde, Forth |
Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating - see end for coding | Collection or reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Weather and Climate | NAO Winter Index | | Yes | | | | CRU, UEA | 1821-2007 | Difference in pressure between Gibraltar & Reykjavik |
Wind Direction | Marine Automatic Weather Station Network | Yes | Yes | III | Collected 3 hourly; reported on BBC Weather Centre Web Site | Met Office | - present | West Shetland, North Scotland Coast (Orkney). |
Wind Speed | FRS Scottish Ocean Climate Status | Yes | Yes | III | Collected hourly & reported biennually. | Met Office and British Atmospheric Data Centre | Average presented for 1961 - 1990. Most recent published data is 2004 and 2005 | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea (Stornoway), Shetland, East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen and Leuchars). |
Air Temperature | Marine Automatic Weather Station Network | Yes | Yes | III | Collected 3 hourly; reported on BBC Weather Centre Web Site | Met Office | - present | West Shetland, North Scotland Coast (Orkney). |
FRS Scottish Ocean Climate Status | Yes | Yes | III | Collected hourly & reported biennually. | Met Office and British Atmospheric Data Centre | Average presented for 1961 - 1990. Most recent published data is 2004 and 2005 | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea (Stornoway), Shetland, East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen and Leuchars). |
Rainfall | FRS Scottish Ocean Climate Status | Yes | Yes | III | Collected hourly & reported biennually. | Met Office and British Atmospheric Data Centre | Average presented for 1961 - 1990. Most recent published data is 2004 and 2005 | Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea (Stornoway), Shetland, East Scotland Coast (Aberdeen and Leuchars). |
Bottom pressure | Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment ( GRACE) | | | | | NASA (via POL) | 2002 Present | |
Historical | Yes | | | | Institute of Oceanographic Sciences | 1980s | |
Sea | pH | | Yes | | | | ICES Oceanographic Data Centre | 1907 - Present | |
Sea Temperature | Sub-tidal (6-18m) seawater temperature Tiree Passage current meter mooring | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly | SAMS | 1981Present | Clyde and Minches & Malin Sea. |
Surface (< 10m) | Yes | | | | ICES Oceanographic Data Centre | - Present | |
Marine Automatic Weather Station Network | Yes | Yes | III | Collected 3 hourly; reported on BBC Weather Centre Web Site | Met Office | - present | Faroe Shetland Channel. |
Salinity | Surface (< 10m) | Yes | | | | ICES Oceanographic Data Centre | | |
Yes | | | | POL | | |
Thermo-haline profile (Ellett line and extended Ellett line oceanographic section) | Surface to seabed | | | | 3 or 4 times a year | SAMS | 1975-1996 | Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides and Rockall. |
Circulation | Hindcast model for depth-averaged currents; MAIA monitoring inflows | | | | Periodically updated | POL | 1955 - 2007 | |
Tiree Passage current meter mooring | Yes | Yes | III | Hourly | SAMS | 1981 Present | Clyde and Minches & Malin Sea |
Sediment concentration & transport | | | | | | Satellite Observing Systems Ltd | | |
Changes in Sea Level and Seabed | Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level and Hindcast model | Yes | | | Monthly | POL | 1955 - Present | |
UK Tide Gauge | Yes | | | Daily, with 3 month delay | POL - national tidal and sea level facility | 1915 - Present | |
Waves | Waves | WAVSAT | Yes | | | Daily | Satellite Observing Systems Ltd, POL | 1985 - Present | All |
Wave height | University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council | Yes | Yes | II | Continuous | University of Aberdeen | 2007 - Present | East Coast Scotland (Aberdeen) |
Marine Automatic Weather Station Network | Yes | Yes | III | Collected 3 hourly; reported on BBC Weather Centre Web Site | Met Office | - present | Faroe Shetland Channel |
Wave period | Marine Automatic Weather Station Network | Yes | Yes | III | Collected 3 hourly; reported on BBC Weather Centre Web Site | Met Office | - present | Faroe Shetland Channel |
Surf | UK Observer Programme | Yes | Yes | II | Collected daily, reported on the BBC Weather Centre Web site | Surf Observer Programme | - present | East Coast Scotland (Aberdeen) and Hebrides (Lewis) |
Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating - see end for coding | Collection or reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Microbiology | Increase in sites achieving Class A or SGW guideline standard | Shellfish hygiene programme | Yes; raw microbiologi cal results only available to relevant stakeholders | Yes | III | Classificatio n results reported annually. | FSA Scotland | 2007 | Sites vary on annual basis |
| | | | | | Integrin Advanced Biosystems Ltd | | |
| | | | | | Shetland Seafood Quality Control | | |
Eutrophication | CSEMP determinants | CSEMP Monitoring Programme (Comprehensive Procedure and EU Directive Assessments) | Yes | Nutrients data are routinely reported, but other parameters (e.g. chl. & phytoplankto n) not routinely reported | III | Every few years | MERMAN/ FRS, SEPA, | | |
Plankton | Continuous Plankton Recorder | | In annual Ecological Status Reports | III | Monthly | SAHFOS | 1946 - Present | All |
Phytoplankton | Remote sensing of ocean colour | Yes - freely available via NASA websites | No - not routinely | II - problems with Case 2 waters | Weekly / Monthly | Satellite Observing Systems ( NASA/ NOAA) | 1998 - Present | All, but resolution limits near coastal areas |
Litter | Beach Monitoring | MCS beachwatch survey | Yes | Beachwatch report | | Annually | MCS | - Present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast and Forth. |
Offshore Water Monitoring | CSEMP | Yes | No, 2 years of data reported in Cefas MEMR | III | Not regularly | Cefas | | Offshore Waters |
| KIMO Fishing for Litter | | | | Continuously | KIMO | 2005-2008 | Landed into harbours in regions - Minches and Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, East & West Shetland, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast and Forth. |
Marine Mammal stranding autopsy reports | UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme ( CSIP) | | | | | Zoological Society of London | | |
Concentrations of microplastic litter | Sand and sediment samples | | | | | Plymouth University | | |
Contaminants in the environment | Inputs | CAMP, RID | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | II | Annually to OSPAR | Various monitoring authorities/ Defra collates and reports to OSPAR | | |
Yes Accidents, Munitions | Yes | II | Annually | ACOPS | |
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Dumping of waste oil at sea | | | | | Satellite Observing Systems | | |
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Hydrocarbons in sediment | Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group ( SOTEAG) | Yes | Yes | III | Bi-annual | SOTEAG and contractors | | West Shetland (Sullom Voe) |
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Contaminants in animal tissues | Contaminants in Seals (including grey seal condition monitoring programme) | Yes | | | Annually/ ad-hoc depending on region and species of seal | SMRU | | Grey seals in North Scotland Coast and Forth; Ad-hoc for harbour seals |
Contaminants in food | Contaminants in seafood | Shellfish hygiene programme: monitoring of chemical contaminants in new harvesting areas | Yes | Yes | III | | FSA Scotland | 2006 Present | Sites vary on annual basis |
| Chemical contaminants survey programme: research/ surveys commissioned on ad-hoc basis. | Yes | Yes | I | On completion of surveys | FSAUK | | Retail surveys- not possible to trace to region therefore may not be relevant |
| Chemical contaminants survey programme: shellfish monitoring at harvesting sites. | Yes | Yes | II | | FSA Scotland | Biannual: 2001-2006 | Sites vary |
| Feedstuffs programme | NA | NA | 0 | NA | FSA | | |
Shellfish Toxins | Toxic Phytoplankton | Shellfish hygiene programme | Yes | Yes | II | Weekly to industry and LAs; also published on FSA website. | FSA Scotland | 2005-2007 | Sites vary on annual basis |
| | Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Programme (Shellfish Hygiene) | Yes | Yes | III | Weekly since 2005 | SAMS | 2005-Present | Coastal with a focus on west coast, Western Isles and Northern Isles |
| | | | | | CEFAS and Integrin Advanced Biosystems Ltd | | |
Topic | Descriptor(s) | Parameter/ data programme | Is info. available? | Is info. reported? | Confidence rating - see end for coding | Collection or reporting frequency | Data source / who collects it? | Year(s) for which data available | Regions for which data available (Fig. 1.7 (ch.1)) |
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Ecosystem Functioning and | Long-Term Mean Sea Level | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables |
Climate Regulation | Sea Surface Temperature | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables |
Wave Height | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables | See 'Physical Characteristics of the Seas' tables |
Species as indicators of change | Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) | Yes | | | Monthly | BTO, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, RSPB, JNCC | | |
Surveys of Scottish sea bird populations on small islands | Yes | | | Annually (breeding) | SAMS | 1982Present | Minches & Malin Sea. |
Seabird Monitoring Programme ( SMP) of 26 species | Yes | | | Monthly & annually | JNCC, RSPB, SOTEAG | | Key sites: Minches & Malin Sea (Canna), East Shetland (Fair Isle) and Forth (Isle of May. Triennial for North Scotland Coast. |
Marine Mammals (including grey seal condition monitoring programme) | Yes | | | Annually | JNCC, SMRU | | Coastal, including North Scotland Coast, Forth |
Intertidal species | Yes | Yes | III | 10+ yearly | SAMS, MBA | 1950-55 | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin |
| | | | | | | | 2001-04 | Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast and East Scotland Coast. |
Species as indicators of pollution | | | | | | University of Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Stirling | | |
Concentrations of contaminants in animal tissues | Contaminants in Seals (including grey seal condition monitoring programme) | Yes | | | Annually/ ad-hoc depending on region. | SMRU | | Annually for grey seals in North Scotland Coast and Forth; Ad-hoc elsewhere for grey and harbour seals |
Nutrients (winter nutrient max, total nitrogen, nitrate:phosphate ratio) | See 'Clean Safe Scottish Seas' tables | See 'Clean Safe Scottish Seas' tables |
Seabirds, Rocky shore species, Macrobenthos, Endocrine disruptive effects in marine snails | Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group ( SOTEAG) | Yes | Yes | III | Annual | SOTEAG and contractors (including FRS) | 1978present | West Shetland (Sullom Voe) and East Shetland. |
Distribution and Quality of Marine Habitats | Biodiversity | Deep Sea Benthos | Yes | | | Annually | SAMS | 1973Present | Rockall. |
| Biodiversity and Morphology | Yes | Yes | III | | NOCS | 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 | Rockall, Bailey, Faroe-Shetland Channel and West Shetland. |
| Seamounts | Yes | Yes | III | Reports written | SAMS, UoP, | 2005 - 2006 | Hebrides, Rockall and Bailey. |
| Deep-sea benthic surveys of the Rockall Trough region | Yes | Yes | III | Papers published as data analysed | SAMS | 1973 - 1990's, 2005 present | Hebrides and Rockall. |
| Faunal surveys of the Faroe- Shetland Channel | Yes | Yes | III | Papers published as data analysed | SAMS, NOCS | 1996, 1998, 2000, 2006, present | Faroe-Shetland Channel and West Shetland. |
| Surveying cold water coral in the Minch | Yes | Yes | III | Papers published as data analysed | SAMS | 2000 - present | Minches & Malin Sea. |
Species Abundance and Distribution | Population studies | Bivalve surveys | Yes | | | Monthly | SAMS | 1977-1983 | West and east coasts |
Population densities and growth rates of juvenile fishes in shallow sandy nursery areas | | | | Monthly during season | SAMS | 1972Present (broken) | Clyde and Minches & Malin Sea. |
Wetland Bird | Yes | | | Monthly | BTO, Wildlife & | | |
Survey (WeBS) | | | | | Wetlands Trust, RSPB, JNCC | | |
Goose and Swan Monitoring ( GSMP) | | | | | Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, JNCC | | |
Seabirds at Sea | | | | | JNCC | | |
Annual Survey of Grey Seal Pup Production | Yes | | | Annually during breeding period (Oct-Nov) | SMRU | 1962Present | Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, East & West Shetland, Moray Firth and Forth. |
Estimation of Harbour Seal Population Size | Yes | | | 5 yearly during moult (Aug); some areas annually if required | SMRU | 1988Present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches & Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast, East & West Shetland, Moray Firth, East Scotland Coast and Forth. |
Cetacean abundance | | | | | CODA via SMRU | 2007 - | All |
| Yes | Yes | II | 1995 and 2005 in summer | Small Cetacean Abundance in the European Atlantic and North Sea ( SCANS) via SMRU | 1995 & 2005 | In 1995: North Scotland Coast, Faroe-Shetland Channel, East & West Shetland, Fladen, Moray Firth, Forties and Forth. All in 2005. |
Broadscale survey as indicator of climate change | Broadscale surveys of rocky shore community structure | Yes | Yes | III | 5 yearly | SAMS | 2001Present | Irish Sea, Clyde, Minches and Malin Sea, Hebrides, North Scotland Coast and East Scotland Coast. |
Amount of marine litter e.g. loss of fishing gear | See 'Clean Safe Seas' tables | See 'Clean Safe Seas' tables |
Ghost fishing i.e. loss of gear and litter on seabed- disease | Cetacean bycatch | Yes | | | SMRU | 1999 Present | |