Individual Animal and other data were collected using visual observation and other instruments from AIRCRAFT in the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Arctic Ocean. Data were collected from 02 September 1990 to 07 November 1991 by US DOI; Minerals Management Service in Anchorage (MMS). Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Marine Mammal Sighting and Census (F127) format. The F127 format is used for data from field observations of marine animals. Data may be reported either for individual, random sightings or for sightings made as part of systematic ship or aircraft surveys along specified tracks. These data provide information on animal population densities and distributions, activities, migratory routes and breeding locales. Cruise or survey information, start and end positions, start and end times, and platform speed, direction, and altitude are reported for each observation or series of observations. Position, date and time are reported for each sighting location, along with a code indicating presence or absence of animals and, if present, their distance to the observer, shoreline, and ice edge and heading direction. For each sighting location, animal sighting data are reported by species for all observed species. Species identification, total number of individuals, and counts by age group (adults, subadults, juveniles, unknown) may be reported in summary for all animals sighted or by subgroups distinguished by sex, behavior, markings, or other characteristics. A text record is available for comments.

The aerial surveys of Whales data in this accession were collected from aircraft by Don Llungblad over the Chukchi Sea between September 1987 and October 1988 by Sea World Research Institute, San Diego, CA. The data were submitted by Ms. Karen M. McClune in a tape. The data have been processed and are available in F127-Marine-Animal-Sightings file format of NODC.

The Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) and other data were collected in Bering Sea. Data was collected from Ship ALPHA HELIX cruise HX 171. The data was collected over a period spanning from June 12, 1993 and July 1, 1993. Data from 81 stations was submitted in a diskette by Dr. Chirk Chu, Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK. Data has been processed and is available in F022-CTD-Hi Resolution file format of NODC. F022 High-resolution CTD data is collected from high resolution (conductivity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1 m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t) and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals.

This dataset contains near-surface measurements of oceanographic, meteorological and physical data collected in situ during a survey of the eastern Bering Sea shelf conducted by three autonomous surface vehicles (USVs, Saildrones (SD) 1043, 1046, and 1049). The saildrones were used to conduct an acoustic survey of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) in the US economic exclusive zone in summer 2020. This survey is traditionally conducted with crewed research vessels, but was conducted with USVs asin response to the cancellation of the ship-based surveys due to safety concerns associated with COVID-19 pandemic. The USV survey was conducted on 14 transects spaced 74 km apart spanning the ~80 m to ~1000m depth contour, with SD 1046 sampling in the south, SD 1046 in the center, and SD 1049 in the north portion of the survey area. All available data are included, which encompass the survey and a portion of the transit to the survey area. The saildrones were equipped with a variety of sensors and instruments consisting of thermosalinograph, echo sounder, oxygen optode, fluorometer, SST IR pyrometer, anemometer, meteorological probe, digital and barometer. The oceanographic measurements include skin temperature, salinity, water temperature, water skin temperature, chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen. The atmospheric measurements consist of wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity and air pressure. All the data are in netCDF-CF (underway) format. These data are experimental and have not been quality controlled. These data are made available at the user’s own risk. Users will need to do quality control when using these data. The data from the echosounder will be separately archived at NCEI’s water column sonar data archive.

The Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) and other data were collected in Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea. Data was collected from Ship ALPHA HELIX. The data was collected over a period spanning from September 9, 1993 to October 10, 1993. Data was submitted in a diskette by Dr. Chirk Chu, Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK. Data has been processed and is available in F022-CTD-Hi Resolution file format of NODC. F022 High-resolution CTD data is collected from high resolution (conductivity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1 m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t) and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals.

As part of an inter-agency agreement between the National Marine Mammal Laboratory and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, aerial surveys of the North Aleutian Basin and southeastern Bering Sea were conducted from 24 July to 28 August 2008 and 14 July to 25 August 2009. Both surveys were conducted from an Aerocommander 690A. In 2008, the survey design consisted of broadscale transects covering the waters from Bristol Bay west to the Pribilof Islands. The survey covered a total of 5,821 nmi (10,782 km) on-effort, 471 nmi (872 km) transit and crosslegs, and off-effort accounted for 837 nmi (1551 km). There were a total of 263 sightings (755 individuals) of 11 confirmed marine mammals species; these included right, humpback, fin and sei whales as well as killer whales, Dall's and harbor porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, fur seals, sea lions, walrus and sea otters. There were 10 sightings (12 individuals) of right whales recorded on 3 separate days. Six unique individuals were photo-identified and 4 matches were made between the aerial and vessel surveys. In 2009, the survey consisted of finescale transects over the critical habitat and an acoustic component was added to complement the visual survey. The survey covered a total of 2,590 nmi (4,800 km) on effort. There were a total of 124 sightings (213 individuals) of 3 confirmed marine mammal species, right, humpback and fin whales. There were 23 sightings (28 individuals) of right whales documented on 9 separate days. Seven unique individuals were photo-identified. Three matches were made to the 2008 survey. In all, the 2 year survey documented 10 unique North Pacific right whales.

The Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) and other data were collected in NW Pacific (limit-180), NE Pacific (limit-180), Greenland Sea and Bering Sea as part of Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI). Data was collected from NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN. The data was collected over a period spanning from April 4, 1992 to September 25, 1992. Data from 197 casts was submitted in one tape by Ms. Leslie Lawrence. Data has been processed and is available in F022-CTD-Hi Resolution file format of NODC. F022 High-resolution CTD data is collected from high resolution (conductivity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1 m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t) and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Marine Bird Sighting, Ship/Aircraft Census (F033) format. The F033 format contains data from field observations of marine birds made along ship or aircraft survey tracks. These data are collected to provide information on population density and distribution. Start and end position, date and elapsed time, speed and course, platform type and observing techniques are reported for each survey. Environmental information may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, distances to the shoreline and shelf break, ice characteristics within and outside each transect and surface debris, including oil slicks. Species data may include age, sex, color, plumage, number of individuals, direction of flight, behavior and food source association. Any number of species may be reported within one observation time span.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Marine Bird Sighting, Ship/Aircraft Census (F033) format. The F033 format contains data from field observations of marine birds made along ship or aircraft survey tracks. These data are collected to provide information on population density and distribution. Start and end position, date and elapsed time, speed and course, platform type and observing techniques are reported for each survey. Environmental information may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, distances to the shoreline and shelf break, ice characteristics within and outside each transect and surface debris, including oil slicks. Species data may include age, sex, color, plumage, number of individuals, direction of flight, behavior and food source association. Any number of species may be reported within one observation time span.

Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard Marine Bird Sighting, Ship/Aircraft Census (F033) format. The F033 format contains data from field observations of marine birds made along ship or aircraft survey tracks. These data are collected to provide information on population density and distribution. Start and end position, date and elapsed time, speed and course, platform type and observing techniques are reported for each survey. Environmental information may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, distances to the shoreline and shelf break, ice characteristics within and outside each transect and surface debris, including oil slicks. Species data may include age, sex, color, plumage, number of individuals, direction of flight, behavior and food source association. Any number of species may be reported within one observation time span.