Surveys
The EAF-Nansen Programme survey Timeline highlights the research (carried out by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen. The aim of the Nansen scientific missions is to collect data and information on marine resources, habitats, environment and pollution in the surveyed countries. This knowledge will then help support developing countries in managing better their fisheries at regional and national level.
Navigate the timeline to learn more about the routes and legs of the surveys conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen from 2017 to 2022.
Details from each leg can be accessed by clicking on the Timeline posts, or in the full list below.
Leg 1.2. Mesopelagic Transect
The overall objective of the survey was to study the acoustic properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community, but it also included studies of the oceanography and plankton and jellyfish. This survey took place along a transect spanning from inshore eutrophic coastal waters off Northwest Africa towards the eutrophic oceanic waters of the Canary basin.
Number of participants
Local participants: 11 (1 woman)
Participants from Norway: 13
International participants: 0
Specific objectives of the different studies were to:
Mesopelagic community
- Obtain concurrent information on the acoustical properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community
- Study the acoustic properties of mesopelagic fish and other mesopelagic organisms such as squids, crustaceans, gelatinous organisms and principal zooplankton taxa including their frequency response and target strength
- Obtain biological samples and observations using different sampling gears (trawls, plankton nets and camera systems)
- Investigate the effectiveness of different sampling trawls used to sample the mesopelagic community
- Collect samples for analysis of C and N stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition to understand the trophic roles of mesopelagic species
- Collect samples for levels of nutrients and contaminants including microplastics, parasites and microorganisms with regards to food safety and pollution
Oceanography
- Map the hydrographic/environmental conditions in the survey area (temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, irradiant light, nutrients and pH)
- Measure the principal current dynamics across the shelf, slope and basin
- Estimate the productivity along the inshore-offshore eutrophication gradient
Plankton and jellyfish
- Describe the broad distribution, abundance and taxonomic composition of jellyfish and zooplankton
Leg 1. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey from Morocco to Senegal (northwest Africa)
This survey (including four legs 1.1-1.4) addressed abundance and distribution of pelagic resources, environmental conditions within which they were found, and aspects of their early life history. The survey also offered an opportunity to sample and tackle other research topics of high regional and international interest. Leg 1.2. was dedicated to a mesopelagic transect with its own specific objectives.
- Leg 1.1. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey (Tanger-Cape Bojador)
Period: 8 – 26 May (18 days)
Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem
Port of departure: Casablanca (Morocco)
Port of arrival: Las Palmas (Spain)
Local participants: 9 (3 women)
Participants from Norway: 9
International participants: 0
The main objectives of this leg were to:- Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data of selected species;
- Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
- Map presence of microplastics in surface waters;
- Collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
- Leg 1.2. Mesopelagic Transect inshore south of Cape Bojador and westwards to oceanic waters (3500 m bottom depth)
Period: 27 May – 5 June (9 days)
Survey Type: Mesopelagic Transect
Port of departure: Las Palmas, Spain
Port of arrival: Las Palmas, Spain
Local participants: 11 (1 woman)
Participants from Norway: 13
International participants: 0
The overall objective of the survey was to study the acoustic properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community, but it also included studies of the oceanography and plankton and jellyfish. This survey took place along a transect spanning from inshore eutrophic coastal waters off Northwest Africa towards the eutrophic oceanic waters of the Canary basin.
Specific objectives of the different studies were to:
Mesopelagic community
- Obtain concurrent information on the acoustical properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community
- Study the acoustic properties of mesopelagic fish and other mesopelagic organisms such as squids, crustaceans, gelatinous organisms and principal zooplankton taxa including their frequency response and target strength
- Obtain biological samples and observations using different sampling gears (trawls, plankton nets and camera systems)
- Investigate the effectiveness of different sampling trawls used to sample the mesopelagic community
- Collect samples for analysis of C and N stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition to understand the trophic roles of mesopelagic species
- Collect samples for levels of nutrients and contaminants including microplastics, parasites and microorganisms with regards to food safety and pollution
Oceanography- Map the hydrographic/environmental conditions in the survey area (temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, irradiant light, nutrients and pH)
- Measure the principal current dynamics across the shelf, slope and basin
- Estimate the productivity along the inshore-offshore eutrophication gradient
Plankton and jellyfish- Describe the broad distribution, abundance and taxonomic composition of jellyfish and zooplankton
- Leg 1.3. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey (Cape Bojador-Dakar)
Period: 8 June – 4 July (26 days)
Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic Survey
Port of departure: Las Palmas (Spain)
Port of arrival: Dakar (Senegal)
Local participants: 19 (3 women)
Participants from Norway: 5
International participants: 5
The main objectives of this leg were to:- Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data of selected species;
- Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
- Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
- Leg 1.4. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey (Mauritania - Senegal – The Gambia Survey)
Period: 5 – 18 July (13 days)
Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
Port of departure: Dakar (Senegal)
Port of arrival: Dakar (Senegal)
Local participants: 21 (3 women)
Participants from Norway: 7
International participants: 1
The main objectives of this leg were to:- Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data as per sailing order;
- Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
- Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.