This International Standard provides guidelines on the quantitative collection and processing of subtidal soft-bottom macrofaunal samples in marine waters.
This International Standard encompasses:
. development of the sampling programme;
. requirements for sampling equipment;
. sampling and sample treatment in the field;
. sorting and species identification;
. storage of collected and processed material.
This International Standard does not specifically address the following, although some elements may be applicable:
. bioassay sub-sampling;
. deep water ( 750 m) or offshore sampling;
. in situ faunal studies, e.g. recolonisation assays;
. nonbenthic organisms caught in the sampling device;
. estuarine sampling;
. intertidal sampling;
. meiofaunal sampling and analysis [3];
. sampling by dredge and sledge;
. Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) sampling;
. statistical design.
Accuracy of position fixing is determined by the geographical area, equipment used and survey objective.