Plattform Platform	Reise-Nr. Cruise-No.	Zeitraum Period	Projekt Project	Arbeitsgebiet Working area
Dana	NorthSeaMEGS2021	31.05.2021 - 11.06.2021		North Sea

Fahrtleiter Chief Scientist	Institut Institute	Auslaufhafen Port of departure	Einlaufhafen Port of return	Stationskarte Station map	Schiffsroute Trackchart
Huwer Bastian	Technical University of Denmark National Institute of Aquatic Resources	Hirtshals	Hirtshals

Ziel der Reise / Objectives of Cruise:

The survey is part of the Mackerel Egg Surveys (MEGS) which are carried out triennially and are coordinated by the ICES Working Group on Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Surveys (WGMEGS). These surveys aim to investigate the spatial distribution and abundance of eggs, divided into different developmental stages (1A to 5). In particular the abundance of eggs in stage 1A is relevant, as this is needed for the further analyses. Furthermore, the fecundity of adult fish is investigated. The egg and adult data are then combined and applied in egg production methods, in order to provide fisheries-independent estimates of spawning stock biomass (SSB) indices. R/V Dana left Hirtshals on Monday May 31 around noon (local time). The field work started in the afternoon with a first fishing haul north-west of Hirtshals, and continued in the evening with the northernmost plankton sampling transect (see Fig. 1 to 3). Afterwards the field work continued on a 24-h basis along the plankton station transects. During daytime, the plankton sampling was interrupted in order to conduct fishing hauls targeting adult mackerel. R/V Dana returned to Hirtshals on Friday June 11 in the morning. Very favorable weather conditions prevailed during the entire survey.

Messungen / Measurements