Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton collected during plankton surveys off Alabama (2007-2014)

Depth-discrete plankton samples were collected during cruises off the coast of Alabama during May-August periods (2007-2014) using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS) and a neuston net. The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) was fitted with 333-µm and 202-µm mesh nets. The neuston net was 0.5 x 1.0 m and fitted with a 505 micron mesh net. A ring net (0.762-m diameter; 335-µm mesh) was towed obliquely through the water column, and used during 2007-2014 as a back-up gear when the primary sampler (BIONESS) was not operational. Samples were collected at stations located on the 20 m and 35 m contours. Data from 2007-2012 were collected as part of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Fisheries Oceanography of Coastal Alabama (FOCAL) program. Data from 2013-2014 were collected with support from GoMRI. Data contents include larval fish and zooplankton counts for targeted taxa, as well as plankton biomass estimates (settled volume and/or displacement volume).