Site Survey Time-Lapse

Scavenger Lander Deployment

Solvik time-lapse

Scavenger Traps

Scavenger traps (baited with dead Periphylla) were deployed at the same position as the camera lander after lander retrieval.  This was to allow us to collect specimens of the same species of scavengers observed in the camera lander images.

Dan Jones collecting specimens from the scavenger traps.

An isopod found in a trap.

An amphipod still feeding on a jellyfish mesoglea after being removed from the trap.

14th June 2016. Scavenger Cruise

Andrew with the enormous Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Deep-sea fishing on Solvik. 

500 m Camera Deployment

Stop over at Potten. 

Andrew Sweetman baiting the camera lander

Lander deployment at 500 m in Sognefjorden 

Returning from an evening hike in Krakhella

13th June. Deployment 1

The first deployment of the cruise was made to 1250 m in Sognefjorden.  The lander was baited with 2 dead Periphylla jellyfish and we are interested to learn which scavangers will feed on the jellyfall and especially how the feeding dynamics of scavengers will change with depth.  There is more food available at shallower depths so we hypothesise that more scavengers will eat jellyfalls at deeper depths where other food is scarce.

Baiting the lander with dead Periphylla 

In Lurefjorden, January 2016, we found that low oxygen was likely to be reducing scavenging rates on jellyfalls.  Therefore, the scavenger lander bait plate was modified to hold oxygen optodes to measure oxygen in relation to distance from the jellyfish.  

Lander ready to be deployed. 

Future deployment sites were surveyed using a sonar and CTD.