A quasi-synoptic survey of the European continental shelf edge during the SEFOS project

Abstract

Quasi-synoptic surveys of the European continental shelf edge have been conducted since the spring of 1994 by participants in the Shelf Edge Fisheries Oceanography Study (SEFOS). The purpose of the surveys is primarily to address questions concerning the eastern boundary current raised by fishery biologists, as the eastern boundary or slope current is intimately involved in the life history of many important European commercial fish species, such as mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting and hake. In all 21 sections were defined crossing the shelf edge from Portugal to Norway. The majority of these were occupied by a number of European laboratories between March and June 1994. Sections across the shelf edge have been used to examine the location and characteristics of the current in the different observational regions. Diagrams of t-S have been employed to describe the water masses involved in the slope current. Vertical and horizontal sections along the shelf have been constructed from the different across-shelf sections in order to examine the along-shelf variation of processes such as vertical and horizontal mixing in the area of the current. While preliminary data are presented, data collection continues and final analysis has not yet been completed.