Zooplankton abundance data for 53 micron mesh ring net samples, taken during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAIC) expedition (PS 122), in the central Arctic and Fram Strait, November 2019 - September 2020

The Multi-disciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), was conducted from October 2019 to September 2020. The Research Vessel Polarstern was frozen into the ice in the Central Arctic Ocean north of Norway and drifted with the prevailing currents from north to south, traversing multiple Arctic basins and regimes and serving as a floating laboratory for an international, multidisciplinary program focusing on multiple facets of ice, ocean, atmosphere, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem responses to ongoing changing environmental conditions. Zooplankton ecology was investigated as part of the ecosystem team program. Abundance data from the area has been limited, particularly for the winter season. Weekly net tows were scheduled with multiple nets (mesh sizes 53, 150 and 1000 microns (µm)) to add to that data. This data set contains zooplankton abundance data (individuals per cubic meter) for the 53 µm ring net samples, sampling location and net depth information. Abundant zooplankton were identified to species and stage, including nauplii. Less abundant specimens were identified to subgroup, genus, group or family.