Oceanographic Survey in waters of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Micronesia (SE1003, EK60). The goals of the cruise were to collect acoustic backscatter and oceanographic data at the vicinity of CNMI, Guam, and in the northern part of Micronesia. Data collected consisted of CTD casts, trawl samples, and continuous monitoring of currents and biological acoustic backscatter. CTD cats were conducted at predetermined stations. CTDs were equipped with oxygen sensors and fluorometers, and water was sampled at discrete depths during each cast for nutrients and chloropigment determinations. Trawl operations were conducted at predetermined stations using an Isaacs Kidd midwater trawl at depths of the shallow sound scattering layer. Currents were continuously monitored using an RD Instruments Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) operating at 75 kHz frequency. Biological backscatter was recorded using an EK60 echosounder system along predetermined transects, operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz frequencies.

Marine Resource Survey in waters surrounding Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (SE1002, EK60). The goals of the cruise were to collect a variety of data to assess the status of marine resources in waters surrounding Guam and CNMI. Marine resource habitats were mapped using a Reson 8101ER multiubeam sonar operating at 240 kHz frequency. Seabed was characterized by still and video recordings using a SeaBED AUV and a Towed Optical Assessment Device (TOAD). Biological backscatter were recorded using an EK60 echosounder system operating at 38, 70, and 120 kHz along predetermined transects. Fish were sampled by Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) and BotCam drops equipped with stereo cameras at predetermined locations. During the survey, a High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) was deployed at 15° 18.998'N 145°27.542'E.

TZCF Oceanographic Survey (SE1505). Oceanographic data were collected along the 159W and Meridional from 26° 30'N-32° 30'N. CTD casts were conducted at predetermined stations. CTDs were equipped with oxygen sensors and fluorometers, and chlorophyll and nutrients were measured at discrete depths. Biological backscatter was monitored using the multifrequency EK60 echosounder system operating at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz.

Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish assemblages (SE1208, 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 TOAD (tethered optical assessment device) camera, and a BRUVS (shallow water baited/unbaited underwater video camera system). 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. Biosampling on some of the fish was carried out including measurement of length and weight and preservation of otoliths, gonads, and stomach for post-survey analyses. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously with acoustics data collection to groundtruth the acoustics data. CTD-mounted video camera drops we conducted simultaneously with acoustics recording to further groundtruth the acoustics data.

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.

Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Survey (SE1104, EK60). This cruise accomplished the following objectives: Oceanographic data were collected from a total of 25 CTD casts while continuous TSG and ADCP measurements were taken along a predefined grid off the west coast of Hawaii to assess the influence of physical dynamics on the region's biological productivity. CTD-mounted fluorometer measurements were carried out by two fluorometers. Chlorophyll was measured for ten discrete samples per CTD using a bench top Turner 10-AU fluorometer. Water samples were preserved for post-cruise flow cytometry to determine phytoplankton size structure. Biological backscatter was monitored using the EK60 echosounder system, both during trawl operations and along 17 acoustic transects (including at least one daytime and one nighttime transit of each transect). Twelve nighttime oblique mid-water trawls were conducted, with replicate trawls at each of six sites. These trawls all targeted the shallow sound scattering layer. Data on cetacean distribution, school size, and school composition were collected with a towed passive acoustic array on 14 transects, including both a daytime and nighttime transit of each transect. Daytime visual cetacean surveys were conducted to help develop habitat envelope models for the Kona region. Fourteen casts of a DIDSON imaging sonar were conducted to collect high resolution information on the density of high sonic scattering layers.

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.

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.

Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Survey (SE1401, EK60). This cruise accomplished the following objectives: Oceanographic data were collected from a total of 6 CTD casts and continuous TSG measurements along a predefined grid off the west coast of Hawaii to assess the influence of physical dynamics on the region's biological productivity. CTD-mounted fluorometer measurements were carried out by two fluorometers. Biological backscatter was monitored using the EK60 echosounder system, both during trawl operations and along 7 acoustic transects (including at least one daytime and one nighttime transit of each transect). One nighttime oblique mid-water trawl was conducted prior to the net being damaged beyond repair by contact with the seafloor. Four casts of a DIDSON imaging sonar were conducted to collect high resolution information on the density of high sonic scattering layers. An ROV was deployed 5 times to investigate acoustic scattering layers and adjacent layers. Deep handline jigging was accomplished during day and night to investigate scattering layer macrofauna. Data on cetacean distribution, school size, and school composition were collected via daytime visual surveys on 9 days of transects coupled with several days of small boat survey effort. Two HARP units were deployed for passive autonomous detection of cetaceans and several sonabuoys were also deployed during daytime operations for cetacean detection and identification.