EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During GU1401_Pre_01_Transit

The cruise has several objectives to address research goals of
different programs within the Ecosystem Process Division of the NEFSC and outside
collaborators including: Nutrients Assessment Program at the University of Maine, Ocean
Acidification Program at AOML, Ecosystem science in support of stock assessments program,
Science in support of ecosystem assessments program, development of new technologies to
support ecosystem studies, and NEFSC outreach and education objectives. The specific
objectives include: 1) Assess changing biological and physical conditions which influence the
sustainable productivity of the living marine resources of the northeast continental shelf
ecosystem using CTD’s and bongo nets at stations located at predetermined randomly stratified
locations. CTD will collect electronic data on temperature, salinity, density, and oxygen. 2)
Trends in ocean acidification and nutrient levels will be determined by collecting water samples
using a rosette sampler at predetermined fixed locations. 3) Detail incursion of Labrador Current
water into the Gulf of Maine by conducting CTD casts in deep basin areas. 4) Collect samples
for the Census of Marine Zooplankton Project by the use of 20-cm bongos piggybacked above
the 61-cm bongos. 5) Assess the effectiveness of the Dave Richardson-modified Karatsuri Rake
for the collection of adult sand lance. 6) Determine the abundance and distribution of larval and
juvenile sand lance (Ammodytes sp) and cod (Gadus morhua) in the areas surveyed. 6) Report
northern right whale and other marine mammal, bird and turtle sightings. 7) Collect TSG,
fluorometer, SCS, EK-60 Scientific Sounder and ADCP data from along the cruise track