2002, Titan Environmental Surveys, Gunfleet Sands 1 and 2, Additional Beam Trawling Survey

In September 2002 Titan Environmental Surveys Limited undertook an additional beam trawling survey on Gunfleet Sands off the Essex coast, to supplement data already collected during a macrobenthic study conducted in February 2002. The scope of this additional beam trawling survey includes trawl samples from seven tows within the study area, retention of fauna followed by preservation in formaldehyde solution and appropriate analysis and processing of the samples. They survey was carried out on the 19th September 2002. The outcome of the survey showed that several of the species of fish were common across the sites between the months, with whiting, hooknose, sole and sandy goby being found at the majority of sites during both surveys. As for the earlier survey, the epibenthos from the September survey was dominated by crustaceans, notably shrimps and crabs. Several species were locally abundant, being found in considerable numbers but at only one or two sites.