Plankton Diversity Along the Portuguese Coast in the 1970s

The Oceanographic Campaign to Support Continental Fisheries (CAPEC) consists of several cruises aimed at systematically obtaining, on a seasonal basis, physical, chemical and biological information from sea water, in the coastal area between Caminha and Vila Real de Santo António, having as geographic limits the meridian of 10º30'W, on the west coast and the parallel of 36º15'N, on the south coast.Hydrographic Institute campaigns in collaboration with the Marine Biology Station (predecessor of INIP, IPIMAR, and IPMA) of the CAPEC program (1970s). Microplankton samples were collected through vertical tows and sea surface horizontal tows. Vertical tows were accomplished from 50 meters deep until surface using a 30µ mesh size net, 122 cm long and 21 cm mouth diameter. The hauling speed was 5 to 6 meters per minute. Surface tows were carried out with the same type of net used for vertical tows. They were performed at low speed or taking advantage from the ship drift, for 3 minutes. Buffered formalin (formol-hexamine) has been added to the samples as a fixative and preservative agent, at a final concentration of 0.5%. Mesozooplankton samples were collected through vertical tows and sea surface horizontal tows. Vertical tows were carried out from 100 meters deep until surface, or from 5 meters above the bottom in soundings less than 100 meters, using a WP-2 net. The hauling speed was 50 meters per minute. Surface tows were performed using a net with 335µ mesh size, 404 cm long and 77,3 cm mouth diameter. The tow was made at 5 knots during 10 minutes with the mouth of the net half-submerged. Buffered formalin (formol-hexamine) has been added to the samples as a fixative and preservative agent, at a final concentration of 0.5%.