Duration: 28 July to 6 August 2025

Area: North Sea (south of “Doggerbank”)

Purpose: Investigation of sediment structures in marine protected areas (Natura2000)

The 491st voyage of the Walther Herwig III is part of the national endeavour to study sediment structures, benthic habitats and biocoenoses (= near-bottom habitats and communities) in marine protected areas of the German Exclusive Economic Zone. The study area adjoins the Natura2000 area "Doggerbank" to the south.

The main focus is to take grab and box grab samples for sedimentological investigations and to obtain faunistic samples (fauna = animal world) for environmental DNA (eDNA) investigations in order to investigate the possibilities of this innovative method of species detection for monitoring purposes.

The bottom-dwelling fish and epibenthic fauna (= fish and other organisms that live on the seabed) in the study area are to be recorded using both conventional and alternative monitoring methods. In addition to a 2-metre beam trawl for sampling the demersal fish and epibenthic fauna (= fish and other organisms that live on or near the seabed), a video sled will be used to record epibenthic organisms. Parallel to selected fishing hauls, water samples are to be taken and analysed for eDNA.