The aerial surveys of Whales data in this accession were collected from aircraft by Steve Tracey over the Bering 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.

This data set consists of Pelagic bird sighting data from the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. These data were collected early in the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program (OCSEAP), 1975 to 1979 on the RV'S DEMERSAL, HOKUSEI MARU, TUSTUMENCA, ALEUTIAN TERN, COMMANDO, MILLER FREEMAN, OSHORO MARU, SHAG and THE DISCOVERER. The data were edited by Drs. Calvin Lensink and Patrick Gould at the Fish and Wildlife Service office in Anchorage, Alaska, and submitted by Nancy Clayton from the University of Rhode Island. The data are in NODC file type F033 format.

Moored current meter data were collected from the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and North Pacific Ocean from February 16, 1994 to May 25, 2002. Data were collected by the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) as part as part of the Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI). Current meter parameters include East/West velocity components (U), North/South velocity component (V), current speed, current direction, salinity, pressure, conductivity, and temperature. Data are not in standard formats and are self documenting.

Physical, current meter, biological, and optical oceanographic data were collected in the Bering Strait from August 16, 2004 to September 3, 2007. These data were collected by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory personnel from moored buoys as part of the Russian-American Long-term Census of the Arctic project (RUSALCA). All data files are ASCII text with supplemental information in PDF format.

This is an archive of data from moorings deployed in Bering Strait from summer 2014 to summer 2015. Mooring deployments were funded by the NSF-Arctic Observing Network award PLR-1304052 (PI: Woodgate, Heimbach and Nguyen), in collaboration with the NOAA RUSALCA (Russian-US Long Term Census of the Arctic) program. For 2014 to 2015, a total of three moorings were deployed: two moorings (A2 and A4) in the US channel of the strait, and one mooring (A3) at a site just north of the strait. Sites A2, and A3 were established in 1990. A2 and A3 have been occupied almost continuously (all years except 96-97) since then. Site A4 was established in 2001. Mooring location A2 is in the middle of the eastern (Alaskan side) channel. Mooring location A3 is just north of the strait, immediately east of the Russian-US EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) line. Experience has shown that site A3 samples both eastern and western channel water. Mooring location A4 is close to the Alaskan coast and allows measurement of the Alaska Coastal Current.

Whale data were collected using visual observations and other instruments in the Arctic Ocean from aircraft. Data were collected from 02 August 1979 to 18 October 1982 by the US Navy; Naval Ocean Systems Command as part of the MMS Studies program. 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.

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.

This dataset contains fish/shellfish survey data collected in the Bering Sea from June 14, 1985, to August 8, 1986, by Douglas Martin, Envirosphere Co. Data has been processed to the NODC standard Fish/Shellfish Surveys (F123) format. The F123 format is used for data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analysis 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 and bottom temperature and salinity, and 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. A text record is available for comment.

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.

This data set was collected as part of the Joint Monitoring Program during seismic activities in the Chukchi Sea. The 2006 data was collected by ship and aircraft as part of the Joint Monitoring Program during seismic activities in the Chukchi Sea in summer and fall of 2006. The 2007 data was collected by ship as part of the Marine Mammal Monitoring and Mitigation During Open Water Seismic Exploration program in summer and fall of 2007. The objective of the surveys was to update data on distribution and relative abundance of marine mammals in coastal areas of the eastern Chukchi Sea during the open-water season.