FS ALKOR

The research vessel FK ALKOR is stationed at the Baltic Sea’s Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel, Germany. Equipped with an A-frame lifting gear, fishery winch, nautical and acoustic equipment, dry and wet laboratories, FK ALKOR accommodates 12 scientists and 11 nautical crew members. Dr. Alshuth participated in benthic research and fisheries expeditions on the FS ALKOR to study the biodiversity of invertebrates, as well as pelagic and demersal fish communities from the NE North Sea, through the Skagerrak and Kattegat and to the Western and Central Baltic Sea. A variety of state-of-the-art oceanographic equipment was used to study chemical, physical and biological oceanography in the Baltic Sea - such as the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) which measures the speed and direction of ocean currents, SONAR (SOund NAvigation and Ranging) used to find and identify objects in water and to determine water depth (bathymetry), CTD - a multi-parameter water monitoring system with physical ocean data monitoring of conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD) - designed to simultaneously measure a range of biological and physical properties in seawater environments, pelagic and bottom trawls - used to collect quantitative data of marine organisms, such as biomass, length and weight, and age class distributions – which are useful in managing marine animal populations and preventing their overexploitation.

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FK ALKOR at the Institute of Marine Sciences at the Baltic Sea in Kiel, Germany

Bottom and pelagic trawl were deployed from the research vessel

Benthic invertebrate biodiversity research: population density study of starfish

Benthic trawl collection retrieved.

Sorting invertebrates and demersal fish species onboard the research vessel

The European Squid Loligo vulgaris is abundant in the North Sea

Demersal fish biodiversity study and population density study of the European Sapphirine Gurnard (Trigla hirundo)

Short-spined Sea Scorpion (Myoxocephalus scorpius) in benthic trawl catch

Demersal fish population study of the Common Dragonet (Callionymus lyra) and European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)

The Edible (Brown) Crab (Cancer pagurus) can reach max. carapace width of 30 cm

Benthic fish and invertebrate species biodiversity from bottom trawl

Benthic invertebrates biodiversity study of the Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas ), a native to the European Atlantic coast - seen here with egg mass

The viviparous blenny, known as Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) is a suitable biomonitor species in European estuarine & coastal oceans

Shorthorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius)

End of a successful expedition: FK ALKOR at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel

WESTERN BALTIC SEA EXPEDITION