Duration: 19 March to 1 April 2026

Area: North Sea

Purpose: Investigation of sediment structures in protected areas of the German EEZ

The 861st voyage of the FRV Solea is part of national efforts to investigate sediment structures, benthic habitats and biocoenoses (= habitats and communities on the seabed) in marine protected areas of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The working area adjoins the Natura 2000 site "Dogger Bank" to the south.

The main focus will be on taking samples for sedimentological analysis using jaw and box grabs at a dense network of stations. These samples will be used to collect faunal samples (fauna = animal life) and analyse environmental DNA (eDNA). Water samples will be taken at the same time. These will also be analysed for eDNA in order to investigate the possibilities of this innovative method of species detection for non-invasive monitoring (see MOBEEZ project).