This dataset contains benthic epifauna biomass and abundance data collected in the Chukchi Sea, U.S. Arctic during the 9 August - 3 September 2015 Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise aboard the vessel Norseman II. The dataset contains two comma separated values (csv) files exported from Microsoft Excel. These data were generated from epifauna samples conducted using beam trawls during the research cruise. The data in the file named AMBON2015_epifauna_abundance_DWC.csv describes abundance per taxon of epibenthic invertebrates. The data in the file named AMBON2015_epifauna_biomass_DWC.csv describes biomass per taxon of epibenthic invertebrates. This dataset was transformed into a table structure using Darwin Core term names as column names.

This dataset contains benthic macroinfaunal population level from sediment samples collected at each station for the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) cruise in 2015 on the Norseman II, identified by station number (#), Station name (Stn. Name), Date (YYYYMMDD), latitude (°N), longitude (°W), and station depth (m). The following macroinfaunal parameters were determined: abundance, wet weight biomass (gww/m2), dry weight biomass (gC/m2), and taxon type. The Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean is experiencing major reductions in seasonal sea ice extent and increases in sea surface temperatures. One of the key uncertainties in this region is how the marine ecosystem will respond to seasonal shifts in the timing of spring sea ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea ice formation. Variations in upper ocean water hydrography, planktonic production, pelagic-benthic coupling and sediment carbon cycling are all influenced by sea ice and temperature change.

This dataset includes marine biodiversity data collected in support of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) project from 2015 to 2020. These data include fish, seabird and marine mammal survey data, biomass and abundance data, surface sediments data, as well as physical oceanographic and meteorological data, and other related data. These data were collected on AMBON research cruises and in other related efforts by various partner organizations.

This dataset documents the epifauna occurrences collected from 2021 to 2024 during the Canadian Beaufort Sea Marine Ecosystem Assessment (CBS-MEA) conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). This scientific program focuses on the integration of oceanography, food web linkages, physical-biological couplings, and spatial and interannual variabilities. The program also aims to expand the baseline coverage of species diversity, abundances, and habitat associations in previously unstudied areas of the Beaufort Sea and Western Canadian Archipelago. The study took place mainly in the Canadian Beaufort Sea and the Amundsen Gulf. Sampling is done along transects at fixed stations in the study area. Catches are collected with a 3 m benthic beam trawl for 10 minutes bottom-contact time at a target speed of 2 knots and with a modified Atlantic Western IIA otter trawl for 20 minutes bottom-contact time at a target speed of 2.9 knots. A total of 32 stations were sampled for epifauna in 2021, 22 in 2022, 23 in 2023 and 22 in 2024, between 22-655 m depth. Epibenthic invertebrates were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and photographed. All unknown specimens are frozen. In the lab, the identifications are validated or refined with the photos and the frozen specimens. The data are presented in Darwin Core and are separated in two files: The "Activité_épifaune_CBSMEA_epifauna_event_en" file which contains information about missions, stations and deployments, which are presented under a hierarchical activity structure. The "Occurrence_épifaune_CBSMEA_epifauna_en" file that contains the taxonomic occurrences.

This resource documents a dataset of epifauna occurrences collected in 2021 during The Knowledge and Ecosystem-Based Approach in Baffin Bay (KEBABB) program developed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in collaboration with university partners. The overall objective of KEBABB is to characterize the variability and trends in physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic conditions and food webs supporting fisheries in the connected ecosystems of western Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound. In 2021, DFO expanded the KEBABB program to Barrow Strait (KEBABS-Knowledge and Ecosystem-Based Approach in Barrow Strait), a key productive area of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The study took place in the Eastern Canadian Arctic (mainly in Baffin Bay, Davis Strait and Barrow Strait). Sampling is done along transects at fixed stations in the study area. Catches are collected with a 1.5 m Agassiz trawl (5 mm mesh net) for 3 minutes bottom-contact time at a target speed of 1.5 knots and with a 3 m benthic beam trawl (6.4 mm mesh net) for 15 minutes bottom-contact time at a target speed of 3 knots. A total of 16 stations were sampled for epifauna in 2021 between 85-850 m depth. Epibenthic invertebrates are identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and photographed. All unknown specimens are frozen. In the lab, the identifications are validated or refined with the photos and the frozen specimens. The data are presented in Darwin Core and are separated in two files: The “Activité_épifaune_KEBABB_epifauna_event_en” file which contains information about missions, stations and deployments, which are presented under a hierarchical activity structure. The “Occurrence_épifaune_KEBABB_epifauna_en” file that contains the taxonomic occurrences. Further details on sampling can be found in the following report: Pućko, M., Charette, J., Tremblay P., Brulotte S., St-Denis B., Ciastek S., Hedges, K., Kuzyk, Z., Roy V., and Michel, C. 2022. An ecosystem-based approach in the eastern Arctic: KEBABB/S (Knowledge and Ecosystem-Based Approach in Baffin Bay/Barrow Strait) 2021 expedition report. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3250: viii + 58 p. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2022/mpo-dfo/Fs97-4-3250-eng.pdf USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

The NMFS/USGS survey of the southern part of Closed Area II was conducted in June, 1999 on 2 cruises: NMFS Albatross cruise ALB9905, June 2-9 (this cruise is also designated as USGS ALBA9933); and USGS R/V Connecticut cruise CONN9912, June 23. Study sites (1A, 2A, MMS1/2D, etc.) are part of a pre-determined grid of sites designed to sample the southern part of Closed Area II (south of 40o 30'N) and the area around its margins open to fishing that lies within approximately 2 nm of the western, southern, and eastern boundaries of Closed Area II. See files ca21999datatypes.pdf and ca21999datatypesB.txt for a tabulation of the kinds of data and the number of replicates collected at each study site. NMFS otter trawl, CTD, and benthic invertebrate stations use station numbers that are the same as the study site numbers (1A, 2A, etc.). USGS video/photo transect and sediment sample stations at the same study sites use a different numbering system (9906001, 9906002, etc.). See files ca21999datatypesA.pdf and ca21999datatypesB.txt for a list of NMFS and equivalent USGS station numbers. On the ALB9905 cruise, a suite of data was collected from each study site that included: 1) otter trawl sample of fish and epibenthic invertebrates; 2) benthic invertebrate samples from seabed sediment; 3) water column CTD (conductivity, temperature, pressure) profile; 4) 20-minute video/photo drift transect and sediment samples for texture and organic carbon analyses. In most cases, the sediment sample was collected at the end of the transect. On the CONN9912 cruise, later in June, only video/photo imagery and sediment texture samples were collected at five sites (3A, 3C, 4B, 5A, 5C) with the same sampling system that was used on the Albatross cruise. Of these 5 sites, only site 4B was sampled on the Albatross cruise (otter trawl and CTD cast only). Otter trawl and CTD stations are designated 1A, 2A, etc. and use the same numbering as the study sites. For locations of otter trawls, see files ca21999trawlstaA.pdf and ca21999trawlstaB.txt. For locations of CTD stations, see files ca21999datatypes.pdf and ca21999datatypesB.txt Otter trawl data include statistics on the catch of 33 species of fish, lobsters, and sea scallops. The otter trawl results were used to plot the species abundance maps for the following species: Alewife, Ocean Pout, American Plaice, Polloc,k Atlantic Cod, Redfish, Atlantic Herring, Red Hake, Atlantic Mackerel, Sea Raven, Barndoor Skate, Sea Scallop, Butterfish, Silver Hake, Fawn Cusk Eel, Spiny Dogfish, Summer Flounder, Goosefish, Thorny Skate, Gulfstream Flounder, White Hake, Haddock, Windowpane Flounder, Illex, Winter Flounder, Little Skate, Winter Skate, Lobster, Witch Flounder, Loligo, Yellowtail Flounder, Longhorn Sculpin. Benthic invertebrate stations are designated 1A, 2A, etc. and use the same numbering as the study sites. They are located at the start of each otter trawl tow. For locations of benthic invertebrate stations, see files ca21999invertstaA.pdf and ca21999invertstaB.txt. See files ca21999datatypes.pdf and ca21999datatypesB.txt for the number of replicates collected at each station. Video/photo transects and sediment sample stations are designated 9906001, 9906002, etc. They are associated with the study sites (1A, 2A, etc.) described above, but use a different numbering system. See files ca21999datatypesA.pdf and ca21999datatypesB.txt for a list of NMFS and equivalent USGS station numbers. For locations of video/photo transects and of sediment samples (texture and organic carbon), see files ca2usgsstaA.pdf and ca2usgsstaB.txt. Individual seabed photographs at each station are shown as jpg images and include information on location, water depth, and sediment texture. Photographs are arranged in rows from left-to-right, top-to-bottom, in the order that they were taken during the video/photo transect.

This dataset contains the abundance (per m²) and the biomass (mg dry per m²) of macrofauna (≥ 500µm) in eelgrass and adjacent bare soft sediments, collected at sites in the Atlantic of Nova Scotia from 2009 to 2013. Cite this data as: Wong M.C. Data of Benthic invertebrates in seagrass and bare soft sediments in Atlantic Nova Scotia Published May 2020. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/05d5f46a-7f19-11ea-8a4e-1860247f53e3 Publications: Wong, M. C., & Dowd, M. (2021). Functional trait complementarity and dominance both determine benthic secondary production in temperate seagrass beds. Ecosphere. 12(11), e03794. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3794 Wong, M. C. (2018). Secondary Production of Macrobenthic Communities in Seagrass (Zostera marina, Eelgrass) Beds and Bare Soft Sediments Across Differing Environmental Conditions in Atlantic Canada. Estuaries and Coasts, 41, 536–548. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-017-0286-2

This dataset contains zooplankton species biomass and abundance data collected in the Chukchi Sea during the 11 August through 3 September, 2015. Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise on the vessel Norseman II. This dataset contains three comma separate values (csv) files. The data were collected from zooplankton samples caught with traditional 150µm plankton nets and taxonomically identified. Each data file include the location, date, time, depth, and identification of zooplankton taxa collected during the 2015 AMBON cruise. The data in the file named AMBON2015_Zooplankton_Abundance_150_DC.csv and AMBON2015_505_Zooplankton_Abundance_DWC.csv consists of abundance per taxon of zooplankton. The data in the file named AMBON2015_Zooplankton_Biomass_150_DC.csv and AMBON2015_505_Zooplankton_Biomass_DWC.csv consists of biomass per taxon of zooplankton. These data files are presented in a table structure using Darwin Core term names as column names. This dataset also contains the file AMBON_station_masterlist.csv, describing stations sampled during AMBON cruises.

This dataset contains benthic and pelagic invertebrate stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data collected in the Chukchi Sea, U.S. Arctic during the 12 August - 2 September 2015 Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) research cruise aboard the vessel Norseman II. The dataset contains a comma separated values (csv) files exported from Microsoft Excel. These data were generated from samples collected with trawls, grabs, and plankton nets during the research cruise. The data in the file named AMBON2015_Stable Isotopes_Database_final.csv describe the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values of invertebrate samples with and without various chemical treatments to eliminate carbonates and lipids. Full location and taxonomic information is given for each sample.

Towed-diver surveys (aka. Towboard surveys) are conducted by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) as part of biennial Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruises. These cruises support NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) long-term goals for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. 3 towboard surveys (6.1623 km in length), were conducted at Pathfinder Bank in the Marianas Archipelago from 3 September - 1 October 2005 as part of RAMP Cruise OES0511. Towboard surveys are a good method for obtaining a general description of large reef areas, assessing the status of low-density populations of large-bodied reef fish, large-scale disturbances (e.g., bleaching), general distribution and abundance patterns of macro-invertebrates (e.g., COT, giant clams), and for assessing trends in these populations and metrics. A pair of scuba divers (1 fish and 1 benthic diver) are towed 60 m behind a small survey launch at a speed of 1-2 knots and a depth of approximately 15m. Each survey is 50 min long, covers about 2 km of habitat, and is divided into ten 5-minute survey segments. The fish diver records, to the lowest possible taxon, all large-bodied reef fishes (>50cmTL) seen within 5m either side and 10m in front of the towboard. Length of each individual is estimated to the nearest cm. The fish towboard is also outfitted with a forward-facing digital video camera to record the survey swath. The benthic diver records percent cover of coral and macroalgae, estimates benthic habitat type and complexity, and censuses a suite of benthic macroinvertebrates including Crown of Thorns sea stars and sea urchins. The benthic towboard is equipped with a downward-facing digital still camera which images the benthos at 15 second intervals. These images are analyzed for percent cover of coral, algae, and other benthic components. Both towboards are equipped with SEABIRD SBE-39 temperature/depth sensors set to record at 5 second intervals. Latitude and longitude of each survey track is recorded at 15 second intervals using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver onboard the tow boat. A layback algorithm is applied to more accurately map the position of the divers with respect to the reef environment. This algorithm calculates the position of the divers based on the position of the tow boat taking into account the length of the tow rope, the depth of the divers, and the curvature of the survey track. This metadata applies to the fish biomass observations.