Integrated hull mounted acoustic (38 kHz), biotic and oceanographic data from Marine Institute, Ireland Cruise: International blue whiting acoustic survey (IBWSS)
Description
This dataset was collected during the Irish component of the annual International blue whiting spawning stock survey (IBWSS) survey (survey of opportunity) onboard the RV Celtic Explorer in March/April 2021. The dataset contains integrated values of backscatter collected from a calibrated EK60 echosounder (38 kHz). Assignment of backscatter was based on experimental mesopelagic categories and criteria determined within the IBWSS survey group (ICES, 2021). Assignment to mesopelagic fish occurred from 50-400m in the open ocean and only during daylight hours. No integration was carried out at night due to the complexities associated with vertical migration. Biological data were collected by way of directed trawling using a small mesh non-graded (macrozooplankton) trawl. Biotic data contains catch data, length and length weight measurements of individuals. Oceanography data was collected by vertical CTD cast (Seabird 911).