occurrence data of copepods from Indian western shelf collected during Northeast monsoon (2017) and Southwest monsoon (2018)

This dataset presents copepod species occurrence records from the Indian western shelf, collected along the 50-meter depth contour during the northeast and southwest monsoons. Samples were taken at five stations along the west coast of India (Kochi, Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai, and Okha) using a Multiple Plankton Net (MPN) for stratified collection of mesozooplankton from two depth layers: the mixed layer and below the mixed layer. A total of 86 copepod species were identified with Corycaeidae, Paracalanidae, Calanidae, and Eucalanidae being the most diverse families, regardless of season.