Station and biological research data in the UK seas 1902 - 1970s
type: Dataset
description: Station and biological data collected during research surveys carried out by Cefas (formerly Directorate of Fisheries) in seas around the UK, mostly in the North Sea, since 1902. The survey hauls are not laid out systematically as a grid, as in current International Bottom Trawl Surveys (IBTS) and are widely distributed over (especially) southern and central North Sea areas. Gears and protocols were not standardised throughout, due to the long term nature of the series. Surveys took place in each season. Data are lacking for the periods of both World Wars. In some periods (e.g. the early 1900s), all species caught were recorded, whereas in other periods (e.g. 1920s-30s), only the key commercial species (e.g., Plaice, Sole and Cod) were recorded systematically. Note that some surveys targeted particular species (notably Plaice).
issued: 2024-12-01T12:09:25.430809
modified: 2026-07-23T14:10:06.113665
spatial: Location
  geometry: {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[80.00, 10.00], [-70.00, 10.00], [-70.00, 90.00], [80.00, 90.00], [80.00, 10.00]]]}

Cefas Data Portal
type: Distribution
description: The Cefas Data Portal contains metadata records and data sets available to download and connect to in support of our commitment to open science.
issued: 2026-07-23T14:10:06.135948
modified: 2026-07-23T14:10:06.118949
access URL: https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/18803

Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
type: Organization