The fishing vessel Wendy Patricia was chartered between August and October
2007 to carry out a potting survey and an acoustic survey in the mixed crab
and lobster fishery in an area off the northeast coast from the river Tyne to
Druridge Bay. The main objective was to investigate the population structure
of edible crabs in relation to the characteristics of the seabed. Fishing
positions were spread throughout the survey area but most stations were in
Whitley Bay and north of Newbiggin, corresponding to the pre-survey positions
of the gear. Sidescan sonar and underwater video were used during the acoustic
survey to map ground types in proximity to the fishing positions. The fishing
survey took place in late August and early September and the acoustic survey
was carried out in October.