2021 Ecosystem Monitoring of the Northeast US Continental Shelf: Hydrographic and Plankton Cruise Directory
Our commitment to collecting and maintaining long-term, comprehensive, shelf-wide hydrographic measurements and plankton abundances on the northeast US shelf resumed in 2021.
This directory provides information on 11 surveys that collected hydrographic and plankton data on the Northeast US Continental Shelf and Slope Sea in 2021. These samples covered:
- Entire shelf in spring, summer, and fall
- Slope Sea in summer
- Targeted sampling on the shelf in conjunction with the protected species, sea scallop, and apex predator programs
Data from these surveys is publicly available for
- Plankton tows
- Hydrographic measurements
- Ocean chemistry samples (under “Additional Terms” search “Melrose”)
The details of each survey are described below.
Fall Bottom Trawl Survey HB2103
- Dates of survey: September 11–November 15, 2021
- Stations sampled: 353
- Conductivity, temperature, depth measurements: 371
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 110 bongo tows
Regional coverage was affected by:
- Reduced sea days
- Staffing issues at the start of the survey
Mission and Partnerships
A long-standing partnership within the Northeast collects plankton and hydrographic data concurrent with bottom trawls, including:
- EcoMon standard sampling of hydrographic data at all stations
- EcoMon standard bongo tows at a subset of stations
News and Blogs
Learn more about the 2021 Fall Bottom Trawl survey.
Data Reports
For details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise, check out the HB2103 Hydrographic Report.
Fall Ecosystem Monitoring Survey PC2106
- Dates of survey: October 15–26, 2021
- Stations sampled: 89
- Conductivity, temperature, depth measurements: 102
- Ocean chemistry samples: 21 multi-depth water sample locations
- 21 salinity samples
- 63 chlorophyll samples
- 63 Dissolved inorganic carbon samples
- 162 nutrient samples
- Plankton samples: 79 bongo tows
Regional coverage was affected by:
- Reduced sea days
- Bad weather
Mission and Partnerships
In addition to the EcoMon standard sampling, we also participated in:
- Ocean Acidification Monitoring funded by the Ocean Acidification Program and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
- Pteropod collections for ocean acidification research with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
- Sea bird, marine mammal, and sea turtle observations as part of the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species
- Phytoplankton images collected as part of a project led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
News and Blogs
Learn more about the Fall Ecosystem Monitoring Survey
Data Reports
- Detailed description of the at-sea operations
- Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise
Fall Northern Right Whale Survey - WJ2101
- Dates of survey: September 29–October 14, 2021
- Stations sampled: 6
- Conductivity, temperature, depth measurements: 6
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 6 ring net tows
Mission and Partnerships
This project shares a joint protected species and oceanographic mission. Our objective on this survey was to collect samples of the planktonic prey and the environment near North Atlantic right whales in the southern New England region. We want to know what prey species are most abundant and why, so we can understand the needs of large whales in the area.
Data Reports
Summer Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species Survey HB2102
- Dates of survey: June 16–August 23, 2021
- Stations sampled: 236
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 304
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples:
- 186 bongo tows
- 48 1x2m frame net tows
- 34 video plankton recorder transects
Mission and Partnerships
Collaboration with the AMAPPS survey cruises is an opportunity to explore oceanographic conditions in the poorly sampled Slope Sea. Plankton, Video Plankton Recorder, and CTD sampling was conducted at dawn, noon, and dusk and adaptively at night to:
- Expand available data from the deep waters of offshore ecosystems past the shelf break
- Explore the bluefin tuna spawning area off the mid Atlantic shelf break
- Collect larval fish, paralarval cephalopod, and zooplankton samples for further analysis
In addition to the core sampling we also collaborated to collect:
- Salps to contribute to a DNA barcoding project for Ann Bucklin of the University of Connecticut
- Aquatic insect Halobates sp. for Lanna Cheng of Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- Phytoplankton images collected as part of a project led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
News and Blogs
For a description of the 2021 AMAPPS Survey from sea, check out these blog entries:
- 2021 Marine Protected Species Abundance Survey Underway
- An Abundance of Dolphins and a Rare Bird
- AMAPPS Leg 2 Begins: An Exceptional Week for Seabirds and Marine Mammal Sightings
- Another Week, More Surprises at Sea
- What Makes a Bird a Seabird?
Data Reports
- Detailed description of the at-sea operations.
- Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise
Summer Ecosystem Monitoring Survey PC2104
- Dates of survey: August 5–20, 2021
- Stations Sampled: 149
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 175
- Ocean chemistry samples: 35 multi-depth water sample locations
- 34 salinity samples
- 105 chlorophyll samples
- 84 Dissolved inorganic carbon samples
- 200 nutrient samples
- Plankton samples: 133 bongo tows
Regional coverage was affected by:
- Reduced sea days
- Favorable weather
Mission and Partnerships
In addition to the EcoMon standard sampling, we also participated in:
- eDNA water samples collected at 35 locations (5-8 depths each) as part of the NOAA ‘Omics Strategy
- Optical measurements with the University of Rhode Island
- Sea bird, marine mammal, and sea turtle observations as part of the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species
- Phytoplankton images collected as part of a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and colleagues project.
- Supplemental stations in Nantucket Shoals
- near foraging North Atlantic Right Whales
- In and around wind energy lease areas
News and Blogs
- Description of the 2021 Summer Ecosystem Monitoring cruise
Data Reports
- Detailed description of the at-sea operations
- Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise
Summer North Atlantic Right Whale Survey GM2106
- Dates of survey: August 17–19, 2021
- Stations sampled: 23
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 21
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 23 bongo tows
Mission and Partnerships
This project shares a joint protected species and oceanographic mission. Our objective on this survey was to collect samples of the planktonic prey and the environment near North Atlantic right whales in the southern New England region. We want to know what prey species are most abundant and why, so we can understand the needs of large whales in the area.
Data Reports
Summer Sea Scallop Survey S12101
- Dates of survey: June 13–July 2, 2021
- Stations sampled: 21
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 21
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 0
Mission and Partnerships
We work with partnering research groups to survey the Atlantic sea scallop population every summer. Resulting data are used for fishery stock assessments, fishery management, and biological studies. In addition to collecting hydrographic data, researchers used the stereo camera and sensor system known as HabCam V4 and a scallop dredge.
Data Reports
- 2021 Atlantic Sea Scallop Survey resource report.
- Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise
Spring Bottom Trawl Survey HB2101
- Dates of survey: March 13–May 27, 2021
- Stations Sampled: 317
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 325 stations
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 92 bongo tows
Regional coverage was affected by:
- Reduced sea days
- Staffing issues at the start of the survey
Mission and Partnerships
A long-standing partnership within the Northeast collects plankton and hydrographic data concurrent with bottom trawls, including:
- EcoMon standard sampling of hydrographic data at all stations
- EcoMon standard bongo tows at a subset of stations
News and Blogs
Learn more about the 2021 Spring Bottom Trawl survey.
Data Reports
Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the HB2101 Hydrographic Report.
Spring Ecosystem Monitoring Survey GU2102
- Dates of survey: May 14—27, 2021
- Stations sampled: 106
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 126
- Ocean chemistry samples: 25 multi-depth water sample locations
- 36 salinity samples
- 72 chlorophyll samples
- 72 Dissolved inorganic carbon samples
- 96 nutrient samples
- Plankton samples: 100 bongo tows
This cruise marks the return of EcoMon after the Pandemic canceled cruises in March 2020.
Regional coverage was affected by:
- Reduced sea days
- Bad weather on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine
Mission and Partnerships
Our mission is highly collaborative, even with Covid restrictions. In addition to the EcoMon standard sampling, we also participated in:
- Pteropod collections for ocean acidification research with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
- Ocean Acidification Monitoring funded by the Ocean Acidification Program and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
- A shrinking cup demonstration with the Banner Academy elementary and middle school students in Arizona
- Sea bird, marine mammal, and sea turtle observations as part of the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species
- Phytoplankton images collected as part of a project led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
News and Blogs
Learn more about the 2021 Spring Ecosystem Monitoring cruise.
We also have at-sea blog entries from:
Data Reports
- The Spring Ecosystem Monitoring Cruise Report.
- Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the GU2102 Hydrographic Report.
Spring Apex Predator Longline Survey - EY2101
- Dates of survey: April 14 -May 24, 2021
- Stations sampled: 51
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 49
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 0
Mission and Partnerships
The survey is conducted in U.S. waters from Florida to the mid-Atlantic area every two to three years to provide relative abundance indices of coastal shark populations. Working from the contracted commercial longline vessel F/V Eagle Eye II, scientists from the center’s Narragansett Laboratory in Rhode Island and vessel crew caught 2,462 sharks of 11 species.
News and Blogs
Learn more about the 2021 Apex Predator Coastal Longline survey.
Data Reports
Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the EY2101 Hydrographic Report.
Winter Northern Right Whale Survey - GM2101
- Dates of survey: March 8-11, 2021
- Stations sampled: 12
- Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 11
- Ocean chemistry samples: 0
- Plankton samples: 12 stations
- 12 bongo tows
- 9 video plankton recorder transects
Mission and Partnerships
This project shares a joint protected species and oceanographic mission. Our objective on this survey was to collect samples of the planktonic prey and the environment near North Atlantic right whales in the southern New England region. We want to know what prey species are most abundant and why, so we can understand the needs of large whales in the area.
Data Reports
Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the GM2101 Hydrographic Report.
Learn more about the Northeast U.S. Hydrographic and Plankton Surveys