MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Joint scientific research cruise with Spain in Uruguay’s EEZ

Miguel Oliver one of Spain’s state of the art vessels in fisheries research

Spain’s research vessel “Miguel Oliver” set off from Montevideo for a joint scientific cruise with Uruguayan experts with the purpose of surveying Uruguay’s Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ. The research includes chartering the area and surveying ocean conditions in the sea bed.

The cruise is forecasted to last until February 12, entirely in Uruguay’s EEZ and will be working in waters ranging in depth from 200 to 2.500 metres.

Uruguay is interested in collecting data on the oceanographic conditions of the vast zone, take samples of the sea bottom and benthonic fauna plus elaborate different models of food chain by having a cross cut of the micro-fauna extracted from sedimentary columns, according to the Uruguayan authorities from Fisheries Resources Department.

“Miguel Oliver” from Spain’s Environment Ministry is considered one of the most modern of its kina and is equipped with a computer nodule, seismic surveying, integrated labs, the latest generation of echo-sounds with a seven kilometres range. Besides it carries two sub-aquatic remote controlled robots, RoySwordfish and Videoray. The first has cameras, extensible arm, acoustic positioning system which can determine the impact of trawling and other fishing activities on the seabed. Videoray is used to assess and record marine reserves, fish resources and reefs.

The scientific cruise is done in the framework of an agreement to research South-western Atlantic waters and seabed jointly addressed by Uruguay’s Fisheries Resources Department, Uruguay’s Navy Hydrograph Department and the Spanish Oceanographic Institute.

Spain as one of the world’s leading fishing powers and with a vast expertise has been doing research cruises with different countries along the Pacific and Atlantic coast of South America.

Miguel Oliver is a single hull multi-disciplinary vessel with a gross tonnage of 2.480. Built in 2007 at the Astilleros Montajes Cies, Vigo, Spain she’s 70 meters long and 12 wide. The vessel houses three radars, three and six laboratories echo sounders, and a sophisticated navigation and positioning system, among other equipment.

Miguel Oliver is described as “the flagship of the Spanish fleet in search of fishing grounds”.