Zooplankton abundance and distribution from the middle corridor and mixing array region of the Point Sur (PTS01) cruise track, northern Gulf of Mexico, October-November 2015

Depth-discrete and surface plankton samples were collected during CONCORDE cruise PTS01 (October 28th-November 5th, 2015) using two gear types: a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS) and a Neuston. The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) is a depth-discrete sampler that was fitted with 333-µm mesh nets and 202-µm mesh nets and the Neuston (1 x 2 m frame) was fitted with a 505-µm mesh net that sampled at the air-sea interface. Biological samples were collected generally between the 15 and 40 m depth contours between the Chandeleur Islands and the Alabama/Florida border to assess the horizontal and vertical distribution, species composition, and abundance of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton under low freshwater discharge conditions characteristic of the Fall.