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2022 Ecosystem Monitoring of the Northeast US Continental Shelf: Hydrographic and Plankton Cruise Directory

Shelf-wide collections of hydrographic measurements and plankton abundances continued to support many NOAA programs in the northeast region in 2022.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Table of Contents

A cluster of Niskin bottles over a conductivity-temperature-depth logger, all attached to a cylindrical metal frame, is being lowered off the side of the ship, held steady by two deck hands with poles, at night. The view of the side deck of the ship is viewed through a closed porthole. Also visible is a paired 20-cm diameter tube-like plankton net resting on a table on the deck.
A window into our research. A Niskin bottle rosette and hydrographic equipment being sent out to collect data, seen through a porthole. Credit NOAA Fisheries/John Gallagher

This directory provides information on 9 surveys that collected hydrographic and plankton data on the Northeast US Continental Shelf in 2022. These samples covered

Data from these surveys is publicly available for

The details of each survey are described below.

Fall Bottom Trawl Survey - HB2207

A map showing the locations of each type of sample. These stations are scattered over the entire shelf from Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia. Station dots are color coded to show locations of the type of sample collected at each location: vertical CTD cast (most stations), Bongo and CTD tow, SBE911 water cast, SBE19 water cast. All types are distributed throughout the shelf.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline locations of sampling covered by the 2022 fall bottom trawl survey, from Cape Hatteras to Maine and southern Nova Scotia. Credit NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 10 September - 18 November 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 308
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 320
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 95 bongo net tows

Regional coverage was affected by:

  • Multiple Covid cases

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 2022 Fall Bottom Trawl Survey, see this news story.

We also have at-sea blog entries from:

Data Reports

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the HB2207 Hydrographic Report.

Fall Ecosystem Monitoring Survey PC2205

A map showing the locations of each type of sample. These stations are scattered over the entire shelf from Hudson Canyon (off New Jersey) to Nova Scotia. Station dots are color coded to show locations of the type of sample collected at each location: Bongo and CTD tow (most stations) and SBE911 water cast. Bongo and CTD tows are distributed throughout the shelf. Water casts are located along transects crossing the shelf in the north-south direction off Nantucket Shoals and bisecting Georges Bank through
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of sampling covered by the 2022 fall Ecosystem Monitoring survey, from Cape Hatteras to Maine and southern Nova Scotia. Credit NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 1-9 Nov 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 73
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 86
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 16 multi-depth water sample locations
    • 15 salinity samples
    • 45 chlorophyll samples
    • 52 dissolved inorganic carbon samples
    • 112 nutrient samples
  • Plankton: 68 bongo net tows

Regional coverage was affected by:

  • Reduced sea days
  • Ship staffing shortage
  • Bad weather in the Gulf of Maine

Mission and Partnerships

In addition to the EcoMon standard sampling, we also participated in:

News and Blogs

Learn more about the 2022 Fall Ecosystem Monitoring survey.

Data Reports

  • The 2022 fall Ecosystem Monitoring cruise report.
  • Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the PC2205 Hydrographic Report.

East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA-3) Survey - RB2203

A map showing the locations of bongo and CTD tows. These stations follow transects crossing the mid-Atlantic and southern New England shelf, Georges Bank, Gulf of Maine, Bay of Fundy, and east coast of Nova Scotia.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of sampling covered by the 2022 summer East Coast Ocean Acidification survey, from Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose

 

  • Dates of survey: 7 August - 23 September 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 74
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 74
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 73 bongo net tows

Only the stations from the ECOA-3 plankton sampling, which are maintained by NOAA Fisheries, are included. A full map of all ECOA-3 sampling stations can be found here.

Mission and Partnerships

The East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA) survey is conducted every 3 to 4 years. These surveys collect data to study ocean acidification and carbonate chemistry along the east coast of North America from Canadian waters south to Florida. It is one of several regional ocean acidification surveys funded by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program.

This was the third ECOA survey. Previous surveys were in 2015 and 2018. We monitor ocean acidification and its effects with partners from multiple academic and research institutions. The Lead Investigators in 2022 were

The NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, with support from the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, conducted bongo net plankton sampling at a subset of the ECOA stations.

Participating Partners:

  • University of New Hampshire (Lead institution)
  • University of Delaware
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Miami
  • North Carolina State University
  • Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
  • NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Data Reports

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during bongo net tows on this cruise are in the RB2203 Hydrographic Report. Data from all other (non-bongo net) hydrographic sampling, from the full ECOA program, can be found here.

Spring Ecosystem Monitoring Survey - HB2204

A map showing the locations of each type of sample. These stations are scattered over the entire shelf from Chesapeake Bay to Nova Scotia. Station dots are color coded to show locations of the type of sample collected at each location: Bongo and CTD tow (most stations), SBE911 water cast, and SBE19 water cast. Bongo and CTD tows are distributed throughout the shelf. Water casts are located along transects crossing the mid-Atlantic and southern New England shelf, Georges Bank, Gulf of Maine.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of sampling covered by the 2022 spring Ecosystem Monitoring survey, from Cape Hatteras to Maine and southern Nova Scotia. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 31 May - 17 June
  • Stations Sampled: 149
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 179
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 32 multi-depth water sample locations
    • 32 salinity samples
    • 96 chlorophyll samples
    • 96 dissolved inorganic carbon samples
    • 125 nutrient samples
  • Plankton: 138 bongo net tows

Regional coverage was affected by:

  • Reduced sea days (reduced coverage)
  • Unexpected crew exchange (reduced coverage)
  • Calm seas (expanded coverage)

Mission and Partnerships

News and Blogs

Learn more about the 2022 Spring Ecosystem Monitoring Survey.

We also have at-sea blog entries from:

Data Reports

Spring Scallop Survey - S12201

A map showing the locations of stations sampled. Stations were distributed in Great South Channel and northern Georges Bank.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of hydrographic sampling covered by a 2022 Sea Scallop survey.Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 26 May - 12 June 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 33
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 33
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 0

Mission and Partnerships

We work with partnering research groups to survey the Atlantic sea scallop population every year. 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.

News and Blogs

Learn more about the 2022 Spring Scallop Survey.

We also have at-sea blog entries from:

Data Reports

Spring North Atlantic Right Whale Survey - WJ2201

A map showing the locations of plankton samples collected. Stations were distributed on the shelf south of Martha’s Vineyard and in the southeastern Gulf of Maine.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of plankton sampling covered by a 2022 North Atlantic Right Whale survey. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 19 May - 6 June 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 29
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 29
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 29 bongo 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

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the WJ2201 Hydrographic Report.

Spring Bottom Trawl Survey - HB2202

A map showing the locations of each type of sample. These stations are scattered over the entire shelf from Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia. Station dots are color coded to show the type of sample collected at each location: vertical CTD cast (most stations), Bongo and CTD tow, SBE911 water cast, SBE19 water cast. All types are distributed throughout the shelf.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of sampling covered by the 2022 spring bottom trawl survey, from Cape Hatteras to Maine and southern Nova Scotia. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 4 March - 11 May 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 373
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 373
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 115 bongo net tows

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 2022 Spring Bottom Trawl Survey

We also have at-sea blog entries from:

Data Reports

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the HB2202 Hydrographic Report.

Winter North Atlantic Right Whale Survey - A12201

A map showing the locations of plankton samples collected. Stations were distributed on the shelf south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of plankton sampling covered by a 2022 North Atlantic Right Whale survey. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 5 & 11 March 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 8
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 8
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton: 8 bongo 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

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the A12201 Hydrographic Report.

Winter North Atlantic Right Whale Survey - GM2201

A map showing the locations of plankton samples collected. Bongo and VPR stations were sampled in close proximity to each other and distributed on the shelf south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Map of the Northeast U.S. coastline showing locations of plankton sampling covered by a 2022 North Atlantic Right Whale survey. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Chris Melrose
  • Dates of survey: 7-11 February 2022; 10-11 March 2022
  • Stations Sampled: 22
  • Conductivity, Temperature, Depth measurements: 21
  • Ocean chemistry samples: 0
  • Plankton:
    • 22 bongo net tows
    • 10 Video Plankton Recorder 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

Details on the conductivity-temperature-depth data collected during this cruise are in the GM2201 Hydrographic Report.

Learn more about the Northeast U.S. Hydrographic and Plankton Surveys

Last updated by Northeast Fisheries Science Center on 04/12/2024

Ocean Acidification Zooplankton Studies Plankton Oceanographic Information