EK80 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During SH2204

The following are specific objectives for the spring CalCOFI. Continuously sample pelagic fish eggs using the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES). The data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of spawning hake, anchovy, mackerel, and early spawning pacific sardine. Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter using the Simrad EK80 and the Simrad ME70. The data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of coastal pelagic fishes (e.g., sardine, anchovy, and mackerel), and krill species. Continuously sample sea-surface temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a using a thermosalinometer and fluorometer. These data will be used to estimate the physical oceanographic habitats for target species. Continuously sample air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction using an integrated weather station. Sample profiles of seawater temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a, nutrients, and phytoplankton using a CTD with water-sampling rosette and other instruments at prescribed stations. Measurements of extracted chlorophyll and phaeophytin will be obtained with a fluorometer. Nutrients will be measured with an auto-analyzer. Sample the light intensity in the photic zone using a standard secchi disk in conjunction with a daytime CTD station. Sample plankton using a CalBOBL (CalCOFI Bongo Oblique) at prescribed stations. These data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of ichthyoplankton and zooplankton species. Sample plankton using a Manta (neuston) net at prescribed stations. These data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of ichthyoplankton species. Sample the vertically integrated abundance of fish eggs using a Pairovet net at prescribed stations. These data will be used to quantify the abundances and distributions of fish eggs. Sample plankton using a PRPOOS (Planktonic Rate Processes in Oligotrophic Ocean Systems) net at all prescribed CalCOFI stations on lines 90.0 and 80.0 as well as stations out to and including station 70.0 on lines 86.7 and 83.3 and station 81.8 46.9. PRPOOS will not be towed on SCCOOS stations. These data will be used in analyses by the LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) project. Continuously sample profiles of currents using the RDI/Teledyne Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler. This will be dependent on the ability to synchronize the ADCP’s output with the EK80 and ME70. The EK80 and ME70 will hold priority over the ADCP. Continuously observe, during daylight hours, seabirds and marine mammals. These data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of seabirds and marine mammals.