Neuston net, bongo net, and ring net sample collection data for plankton samples collected off Alabama (2007-2015)

Data included are station data and plankton net data associated with sample collections using neuston, bongo, and ring nets during surveys off the coast of Alabama (2007-2015). Neuston nets (1.0 x 0.5 m or 2.0 x 1.0 m; 505-µm mesh) were used to sample surface waters during 2007-2015. Neuston tows were for 10 minute durations. A ring net (0.762-m diameter; 335-µm mesh) was towed obliquely through the water column, and used during 2007-2015 as a back-up gear when the primary sampler (BIONESS) was not operational. Volume filtered for ring net tows were calculated estimated using an attached flowmeter. A small bongo net (30-cm diameter; 60-µm mesh) was hauled vertically through the water column to collect microzooplankton during 2013-2015. Data from 2007-2012 were collected as part of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Fisheries Oceanography of Coastal Alabama (FOCAL) program. Data from 2013-2015 were collected with support from GoMRI. All months were not sampled due to inclement weather or gear malfunction.