BIONESS profile and plankton sample collection data, cruise PTS01, northern Gulf of Mexico, October – November 2015

Depth-discrete plankton samples were collected during CONCORDE cruise PTS01 (October 28th-November 5th, 2015) using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS). The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) was fitted with six 333-µm mesh nets and three 202-µm mesh nets. Profile data (depth, temperature, salinity) were obtained with a SBE-19+ CTD (Sea-Bird Electronics) integrated with the BIONESS data logger. 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 of plankton under low freshwater discharge conditions characteristic of the Fall. Plankton data (e.g., displacement volumes, ichthyoplankton and zooplankton abundances) for BIONESS tows are provided in a separate dataset R4.x260.000:0007 (doi:10.7266/N7XP730K)