The Fish Pathology (F013) data set contains data from examinations of diseased fishes. Although these data may be from field observations, they derive primarily from laboratory analyses. Data include: location, and fishing duration, distance, and gear; catch statistics (e.g., total weight, number of individuals, age group, identity of diseases, and number of diseased individuals) by species for any number of species; and biological condition of selected specimens. The size, affected organ, location, and frequency of lesions may be reported for individual specimens. Specimens are identified with the NODC Taxonomic Code. These data may be characteristics of individual lesions or average lesion statistics.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Fin Rot (F006) format. Full format descriptions are available from NCEI at https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/nodc/formats/. The Fin Rot (F006) format is used for data from examinations of the biological condition of diseased fishes. For tow samples collected, data include: total number of individuals of a given species, number of diseased fish of that species, and extent of damage to the body and various fins for up to three selected diseased individuals. The specimens are identified by the NODC Taxonomic Code. The survey, institution, senior scientist and station are identified. Parameters defining environmental conditions at the sample location at the time of collection (e.g., water temperature and salinity, air temperature, wind direction and speed) may also be recorded.

This data type contains data from sampling and analysis of marine zooplankton. Information on zooplankton abundance, distribution and productivity derived from these data support studies of marine populations and ecosystems. Data reported may include: cruise information, position, date and time of sampling, bottom and sampling depths, water temperature and salinity, and total haul data. Data on zooplankton catch by species may include subsample size, zooplankton concentration, life history code and numbers of adults, juveniles, larvae, and eggs. Estimated density of holoplankton and meroplankton and data on ichthyoplankton may also be reported. Specimens are identified by NODC Taxonomic Codes.

The Marine Bacteria (F009) data set contains data from bacteriological studies of the water column and ocean bottom. Data include the density (number per unit volume, weight, or area of sample) of heterotrophic, hydrocarbonoclastic or halophilic bacteria, as well as, identification of the cruise station and senior scientist; physical measurements of the water or sediment; general environmental conditions at the time of sample collection.

This data type contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. Species are indicated by an NODC Taxonomic Code. Data are very sparse prior to 1971.

This data type contains data from field sampling of marine organisms in intertidal or subtidal habitats. The data were collected to provide information about species abundance and distribution. Data from each observation may include: cruise and station information such as vessel name, senior scientist, position, date and time; environmental conditions such as surface temperature and salinity, wind speed and direction, and sea state; sediment and habitat descriptors; and species identification and organism counts and measurements. Data may be reported for either individual or composite samples. Specimens are identified by NODC Taxonomic Codes. A text record is available for reporting comments.

This data type contains data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analyses of midwater or bottom tow catches and provide information on population density and distribution. Cruise information, position, date, time, gear type, fishing distance and duration, and number of hauls are reported for each survey. Environmental data may include: meteorological conditions; surface temperature and salinity; bottom temperature and salinity; trawl depth temperature and salinity; current direction and speed. Bottom trawl or other gear dimensions and characteristics are also reported. Catch statistics (e.g., weight, volume, number of fish per unit volume) may be reported for both total haul and for individual species. Biological characteristics of selected specimens, predator/prey information (from stomach contents analysis) and growth data may also be included. Specimens are identified by an NODC Taxonomic Code. Data are very sparse prior to 1975.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Zooplankton (F124) format. The F124 format is used for data from sampling and analysis of marine zooplankton. Information on zooplankton abundance, distribution, and productivity derived from these data support studies of marine populations and ecosystems. Data reported may include: cruise information, position, date, and time of sampling; bottom depth, sampling depths, temperature, and salinity; gear type, volume of water filtered, total dry and wet weight, and other data for total haul; and data for subsamples by species. Data on zooplankton catch by species may include subsample size, zooplankton concentration, life history code, and numbers of adults, juveniles, eggs, and larvae. Estimated density of holoplankton and meroplankton and data on ichthyoplankton may also be reported. A text record is available for comments. Note: there are two options for reporting subsample counts of individuals at different life history stages. If life history codes are used, only number of adults should be reported on that record. Additional separate records should then be used to report number of juveniles and so on. Alternatively, life history codes may not be used and number of adults, juveniles, and so entered in the proper fields of a single record.

This format is designed to support microbiological studies of bacteria, microbiota, and fungi. There are twelve data record types used to report cruise and station information, position and time, physical, chemical and environmental parameters, and data records for the microbiological studies. Each data record is 80 characters in length, sorted by station and sequence numbers to maintain the proper order. The first nine columns for all records are to be used for file type (columns 1-3) and file identifier (columns 4-9). The file identifier, to be assigned by the originator, is a unique originator id for each data submission. After submission, the NODC reassigns to this field a unique NODC identifier for internal use.

NODC maintains data in three NODC Standard Format Marine Mammal Data Sets: Marine Mammal Sighting and Census (F127); Marine Mammal Specimens (F025); Marine Mammal Sighting 2 (F026). These data type formats are designed to support studies of biological populations and ecosystems that are subject to impact from oil and gas development, marine pollution and other environmental disturbances. Information on marine animal populations, activities, migratory routes and breeding locales are obtained from either surface ship or aircraft surveys. The Marine Mammal Specimens (F025) data type contains data from examinations of marine mammal specimens. The data are collected to define behavior, population dynamics and trophic relationships of marine mammals. In addition to species, position, time and environmental conditions at the collection site, data for each specimen may include weight and body dimensions, sex and reproductive status, age, primary cause of death and analysis of stomach contents. The species of both the specimen and its ingested prey are encoded using the NODC Taxonomic Code. Comments may be reported in a free-text record. F025 contains data for 1975 - 1981. For further information on these data, contact Francis H. Fay (see personnel section).