| EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During GU1101 |
| SEAMAP 2011 Spring Plankton Survey (CU1101, EK60). The primary survey objective was
to assess the occurrence, abundance and geographical distribution of the early life
stages of spring spawning fishes, especially bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), from
the continental shelf edge to deep Gulf waters using a bongo frame fitted with 0.335
mm nets and a neuston frame fitted with a 0.950 mm net at selected SEAMAP stations
in support of annual stock assessments. An additional neuston frame fitted with a
0.505 mm net and a flowmeter was fished subsurface at all stations.Sampling was also
conducted to describe the pelagic habitat of fish larvae through measurements of various
physical and biological parameters including salinity, fluorescence, dissolved oxygen,
turbidity, and chlorophyll. The distribution of fish eggs along the cruise track was
sampled using a Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES) and vertical distribution
of fish larvae were estimated by sampling discrete depths using a 1 m Multiple Opening/Closing
Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) with 0.505 mm nets. |
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