Acoustic backscatter and environmental data for the Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2017

This is data set held in two csv files, one DATA file contains the data and an accompanying NOTES file that provides additional detail on abbreviations. It contains processed acoustic backscatter (NASC) data that is coupled with environmental data. Acoustic backscatter data is from 13 acoustic transects spanning the Scotia Sea and major Southern Ocean fronts, obtained during cruises JR161, JR177, JR200, JR15002, JR15004 and JR16003 (2006-2017). Data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder at 38 kHz. The EK60 was run continuously between Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Signy (South Orkney Islands), Stanley and South Georgia. Environmental data includes: sea surface temperature, bathymetry, geopotential height, geostrophic current speeds, sea ice concentration, sea ice zone, time of day (day/night), sea temperature at 200m, distance to coast, net primary productivity, and hours of daylight. Environmental data are compiled from external data sources. Funding was provided by the NERC grants NE/L002434/1 and bas010017.