Project Driftnet: data on abandoned driftnets

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

Hello! We are a group of scientific officers from the National University of Singapore and ordinary volunteers. This survey aims to find out more about abandoned driftnets on Singapore shores. The data will be invaluable in helping us better understand the impacts of abandoned driftnets on Singapore's marine life.

Your data will be incorporated into our database of information. Do visit our blog for the latest on the Project: http://projectdriftnet.blogspot.com/

Some additional notes on driftnet recordings:

For nets that are partially buried, after collecting the data you only need to cut away and remove the portion of the net that is not buried.

Please remove the net from the shore and dispose of it properly in a designated rubbish bin. Do not leave the nets on the high shore as it may wash back onto the low shore. High shore animals such as birds, monitor lizards and crabs may continue to get trapped in such nets.

If the net is very heavily encrusted with sponges, large seaweeds, only heavy ropes visible, most of net already degraded, such nets should ideally be left on the shore as they have become part of the ecosystem.

The survey will not take more than 30 minutes of your time. We appreciate your participation and time in collating these data.

To send us your photos or links to your uploaded photos or blog post, or If you have any queries, please feel free to drop us an email to Ria at hello@wildsingapore.com, or Zeehan at dbszj@nus.edu.sg, please put "Project Driftnet" in your subject header.

Thank you for your invaluable data contribution!

Name of contact person for this data collection record *

Please provide email or other contact

Names of people involved in the data collection

Date of data collection *

DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., 2 Feb 2011

Time of data collection *

Please use hundred hours or indicate AM or PM

Location of data collection *

In addition to location name, please give GPS location (use Google Earth)

Tidal height (in metres) during data collection

It's alright if you don't know this. If you indicate the date, time and location we can figure it out

Condition of net

How recently abandoned is the net? *

Monofilament nets are made of thin transparent plastic. Some other nets are made of opaque thick rope.

Monofilament nets recently abandoned: Net still transparent, generally free of encrustations, does not break when pulled apart. Such nets should be removed from the shore.

Monofilament nets abandoned for some time: Net lightly encrusted, breaks when pulled apart. Such nets should be removed from the shore.

Monofilament nets abandoned for a very long time: Net heavily encrusted with sponges, large seaweeds, only heavy ropes visible, most of net already degraded. Such nets should ideally be left on the shore as they have become part of the ecosystem.

Thick rope net abandoned for a very long time: Not encrusted, not degraded. Such nets should be removed.

Other:

Is net buried? *

You only need to collect data on unburied portions of the net. And only remove the unburied portions.

Not buried

Partially buried

Other:

Total length of net above the ground (not buried) *

If the net is too entangled to measure the length, pile the net into a compact bundle and estimate the volume - please provide (a) length (b) width and (c) height of the bundle.

Any other comments about the condition of the net?

Details on structure and composition of net, signs of how the net was used and laid out, etc

Measuring the mesh size of a net

Nets may be made up of several layers.

For each discernable layer, take three readings at separated intervals on the net.

The mesh size is taken diagonally, see this video clip for more details on how to measure the mesh size http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leYB-cQHMhs

If you can only find one layer, it's alright.

Mesh size of net: Layer 1 *

Please give (a) First reading (b) Second reading (c) Third reading

Mesh size of net: Layer 2

Please give (a) First reading (b) Second reading (c) Third reading

Mesh size of net: Layer 3

Please give (a) First reading (b) Second reading (c) Third reading

Animals found trapped in the net

Please record data ONLY for animals found trapped in the net. These can be
(a) Large animals such as crabs, prawns, shrimps, fishes, horseshoe crabs, monitor lizards, birds, snakes, etc.
(b) Large immobile animals that have been ripped from their attachment by the net such as sponges, sea fans, corals

There is no need to record very small animals (less than 1cm) found in the net.

Any large animals found trapped in the net? *

No large animals found trapped in the net

Animals found trapped in the net - please provide more data in the series of questions below

Other:

Morphometry (Measurements) of Animals

Take photos of the animal
First, as it is found entangled in the net.
Then, after it has been removed from the net.

Gently measure the animals as follows:

Fish: from tip of nose (snout) to end of the body before the tail begins (don't include tail fin length).

Shrimp: from tip of nose to tip of tail.

Horseshoe crab: from front of body to end of body without tail, if tail is present, separately include the length of just the tail.

Crab: across the body at the widest point, do not include length of legs.

Large trapped animal no. 1