Deployment of SETL-plates

• Deploy ten SETL-plates per locality

Attach the strings of the SETL-plates firmly to a holdfast with a preferred distance of one meter between the neighbouring SETL-plates. When possible hang the SETL-plates on bouyant structures (e.g. floating docks) at a constrant depth of one meter below the water level. In the absence of bouyant structures hang the SETL-plates one meter below the lowest low water level (LLWL). 

Three Months After Deployment

• Take plates out of the water

Pull plates up slowly and with caution, put them down with the SETL-plate facing upwards.

• Deploy “clean” plates

Untie the strings of the ‘old’ plates from the holdfast, attach the strings of new plates to the same holdfast and carefully lower the new plates in water.

• Make overview photograph of each plate

Hold camera directly above plate in order to capture it as a perfect square, take notice of light direction and intensity when taking photographs, use flash if necessary.

• Make detail photograph of each species

Capture each species present on plate, give extra attention to new and/or unknown species by e.g. using different angles to photograph, use macro-settings and >5 megapixel digital camera.

• Take sample of each unknown, unusual or new species

Sample is preserved in ethanol as a voucher specimen and used for further determination.

• Transport plates in tiles with water to e.g. laboratory

If circumstances do not allow to check the SETL-plates immediately at their location, beware not to damage or stress fauna on plates, use explicit tags for plates and tiles in order to recollect/confirm their origin/location and follow step three to five a.s.a.p..

• Fill in SETL-monitoring form for each plate

For each species the absence or presence, abundance and area cover are filled in, also mention unknown species, species which could not be recognised and further information on present species such as, eggs present of species, primary or secondary settler etc.. Also mention date, water temperature, salinity, air temperature and visibility/murkiness of water at the location. If relevant  note the current tide and/or water level. 

Results

• Burn CD-rom with raw data

Use the original photographs of SETL-plates and individual species.

• Send CD-rom to SETL-support centre or upload pictures on SETL-site

See SETL site for instructions.

• Send monitoring forms to SETL-support centre
• Send photograph(s) of voucher specimen(s) to area coordinator

Further steps are taken after communication with area coordinator.

• Clean plates

With e.g. high-pressure water cleaner, sandpaper & bleach, make sure the surface is even and clean of material and the plates are ready to use for the next check.