Penguin Banks Acoustic Bottomfish Survey (SE0902L2, EK60). Narrow-band, split-beam acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 system operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz frequencies along predetermined transects to collect reverberation data from organisms in the watercolumn to be processed for echoes of economically important bottomfish.

Micronekton sampling gear Intercalibration Experiment Survey #1 (MIE-1) (SE0413L2, EK60). The goal of the cruise was to collect micronekton samples using three different type of midwater trawl: Cobb trawl, Isaacs Kidd Midwater Trawl (IKMT), and a Hokkaido University Frame Trawl (HUFT). Trawls were conducted off the lee coast of the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, in approximately 1,000 m deep waters. Acoustic backscatter was simultaneously monitored during trawls using an EK60 system operating at 38 and 120 kHz frequencies. Trawls sampled the nighttime shallow scattering layer and daytime deep and shallow scattering layers. It total, 18 Cobb, 19 IKMT, and 20 HUFT were completed.

TZCF Oceanographic Survey (SE0902L1, EK60). Oceanographic data were collected along the 158°W Meridional from 22°30′N-36°00′N. CTD cats were conducted at predetermined stations. CTDs were equipped with oxygen sensors and fluorometers, and chlorophyll and nutrients were measured at discrete depths. Biological backscatter and currents were monitored using the EK60 echosounder system (38, 70, and 120 kHz) and an RD Instruments ADCP along the transect. Samples of micronektonic organisms were collected from the shallow and deep sound scattering layers at predetermined locations.

Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish assemblages (SE1102L1, EK60). Optical, active acoustics, and research fishing data on bottomfish abundance and biomass were collected over predetermined grids to compare results of methodologies. Optical data were collected using a baited stationary Botcam. Acoustics data were collected using a narrow-beam EK60 system operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz frequencies. Research fishing was conducted using hook-and-line on small boats. Botcam drops with simultaneous acoustic recordings were conducted to obtain target strength measurements of fish with known species and sizes. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously with acoustics data collection to further groundtruth the acoustics data.

TZCF Oceanographic Survey (SE1102L2, EK60). Data were collected along the 158°W and 161°W Meridionals from 22°30′N-36°00′N and from 31°15′N-35°15′N. CTD cats were conducted at predetermined stations. CTDs were equipped with oxygen sensors and fluorometers, and chlorophyll and nutrients were measured at discrete depths. Biological backscatter and currents were monitored using the EK60 echosounder system (38, 70, and 120 kHz) and an RD Instruments ADCP along the transects.

Leeward Oahu Pelagic Ecosystem Characterization (LOPEC-1) (SE1703, EK60). The first primary component of LOPEC-1 on SE1703 was to perform a midwater trawl and bongo net survey from the Oscar Elton Sette to compare to a series of trawl and bongo net surveys from 1951-1978 off leeward Oahu, henceforth referred to as the baseline surveys. The baseline surveys estimated fish composition and abundance for 4 different components of the pelagic community, notably the mesopelagic fish assemblage, shorefish larvae, tuna larvae, as well as a suite of zooplankton taxa from 2 forage availability studies and an early trawl survey. Comparison of current composition and abundances to the baseline composition and abundances after 39-66 years will be a valuable scientific finding to ascertain how the pelagic ecosystem has changed, or not, over that extended time period. The sampling gears used in the baseline surveys from 1951-1978 are 10’ Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl (IKMT), Cobb trawl, and 70cm bongo nets, all of which are available and deployable on Oscar Elton Sette. The second primary component of LOPEC on SE17-03 was to establish a time series of micronekton and plankton for the leeward Oahu area for ecosystem monitoring. Some operations from the baseline comparison component will be part of the new time series with additional surveys of plankton using other sampling gear such as ring nets and other configurations (different mesh sizes) of bongo nets during both the daytime and the nighttime.

Cetacean Ecology Survey at North Western Hawaiian Islands (SE1303, EK60). The goal of the cruise was to collect data on the abundance, distribution, stock structure, and habitat of cetaceans in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) using 7 integrated operations. These operations included visual observations, passive acoustic monitoring, photo-identification, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging, small boat surveys, and oceanography (CTD, Chlorophyll, XBT, and surface samples). A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) was recovered during the cruise.

Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish assemblages (SE1302, EK60). Optical, active acoustics, and research fishing data on bottomfish abundance and biomass were collected over predetermined grids to compare results of methodologies. Optical data were collected using a baited stationary Botcam, a SeaBED AUV, and a BlueView imaging sonar. Acoustics data were collected using a narrow-beam EK60 system operating at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies. Research fishing was conducted using hook-and-line on small boats. Simultaneous AUV and ROV with active acoustics were operated to obtain target strength measurements of fish with known species and sizes. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously with acoustics data collection to further groundtruth the acoustics data.

Mesophotic coral environment monitoring and habitat surveys at the Main Hawaiian Island Chain (SE0807, EK60). The goals of the cruise were to collect a variety of data to assess the status of mesophotic corals in the Auau Channel, off the west coast of Maui. Camera surveys of corals and fish were conducted by a live feed video camera attached to a Towed Optical Assessment Device (TOAD). Two instrument arrays were deployed to monitor environmental variables (temperature, salinity, currents) for a period of one year. In addition, two smaller arrays were deployed to monitor temperature and occurrences of transient large fish that have been tagged previously. CTD casts were conducted at predetermined stations off a small boat, and light measurement profiles were taken at midday over a period of 4 days. Biological backscatter were recorded using an EK60 echosounder system operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz along predetermined transects.

Mesophotic coral environment monitoring and habitat surveys at the Main Hawaiian Island Chain (SE1006, EK60). The goals of the cruise were to collect a variety of data to assess the status of mesophotic corals in waters between the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokai. Camera surveys of corals and fish were conducted by a live feed video camera attached to a Towed Optical Assessment Device (TOAD). Three mooring, consisting of temperature and current meters, were recovered. Three pairs of Tidbit temperature loggers were deployed. CTD casts were conducted and light profiles taken at predetermined stations at midday. Mixed-gas dive operations were conducted to assess coral communities and the presence of fish, aided with cameras. Sand and gravel samples were taken for amphipod analysis. Biological backscatter were recorded using an EK60 echosounder system operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz along predetermined transects.