AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Romanian Black Sea Phytoplankton data from 2006 to 2015

The dataset comprises phytoplankton observations from the Black Sea collected between 2006 and 2015 and processed by Boicenco L., Iordan M., Pantea E., Vlas O., and Voicu I. Sampling was conducted in Romanian coastal waters, ranging from shallow nearshore areas to the continental shelf, along several transects including Sulina, Mila 9, Portița, and Sfântu Gheorghe (northern region) as well as Constanța, Mangalia, and Vama Veche (southern region). Samples were obtained at standard depths using Niskin bottles, with 500 ml collected from each depth. Phytoplankton species were identified and counted from subsamples using an inverted microscope, and the total abundance and biomass of each species were calculated.
This dataset was compiled from a historical collection of phytoplankton datasheets that served as standardized protocols for phytoplankton sampling and analysis. The datasheets include metadata (sampling transect, station number, geographic coordinates, sampling depth, sampling date, name of the researcher who processed the sample, etc.), calculation formulas, and phytoplankton data (species identification, cells counted, total abundance, and biomass).Samples were concentrated by sedimentation and surface water removal following the standard sedimentation technique (Morozova-Vodianitkaia, 1954; Moncheva -amp; Parr, 2010). After measuring the volume of the concentrated sample, a 0.1 ml subsample was transferred to a counting chamber and analysed under an inverted microscope for species identification and cell counting. Phytoplankton abundance per litre was calculated using the equation N = V1/V2 × n × 2, where N is the number of cells per litre, V1 is the volume of the concentrated sample, V2 is the subsample volume, n is the number of cells counted, and 2 is the multiplication factor (Morozova-Vodianitkaia, 1948; Bodeanu, 1987–1988). Phytoplankton biomass was determined based on morphometric measurements, calculated by multiplying species abundance by average wet weight values derived from reference tables developed by Morozova-Vodnițkaia (1948, 1954) and Pițîk (1950), later modified and updated by Bodeanu and Ruță (1995).
Cartography of Gelidium fields in Cantabria (N Spain)

The dataset originates from the project "Cartography and Biomass Assessment of the Alga Gelidium sesquipedale along the Coast of Cantabria", whose main objective was to determine the spatial distribution and abundance of Gelidium sesquipedale (now regarded as Gelidium corneum) along the Cantabrian coastline. The ultimate aim was to evaluate the commercial potential of the algal beds formed by this species and to provide baseline information to support the sustainable management of this resource. \nThe study area encompassed the entire coastal zone of Cantabria, divided into two regions surveyed in 1990 and 1991. Based on nautical charts, the position and orientation of 125 transects (sampling strips perpendicular to the coastline) were established at approximately 1000-meter intervals. These transects were grouped into 21 homogeneous sectors (in terms of orientation, substrate, slope, etc.) covering the full coastal extent. Along each transect samples were collected at several depths, from the shallowest nearshore zone to the deepest limit of Gelidium distribution, at 4-meter depth intervals. At each depth, two algal samples were collected from areas of maximum density (100 percent cover), using a 50 x 50 cm quadrat (2500 cm2). Additionally, the percentage cover of Gelidium surrounding each sampling point was recorded to allow for correction of biomass estimates representative of the sampled area. The total algal biomass per sector was calculated following the method described by Mann (1972) and Niell and Soneira (1976).
Plankton community in WP2 net (200µm), PNMIR cruises, Parc Naturel Marin d'Iroise, France

The PNMIR cruises sample zooplankton (and other variables) regularly within the Marine Protected Area "Parc Naturel Marin d’Iroise", under the supervision of the Office Français de la Biodiversité. This monitoring is part of the general assessment of this Marine Protected Area and is to be linked with the small pelagic fish stock in the region. This dataset comes from collection with a WP2 net and therefore covers organisms from 200µm to ~2cm.
WP2 net (200μm mesh) hauled vertically from 5m above the bottom to the surface.
Sample preserved in 4% buffered formalin and stored over the long term at the Centre de Collections Planctoniques de Villefranche (CCPv).
Sample scanned on a ZooScan, images processed with ZooProcess and sorted taxonomically on EcoTaxa, within the Plateforme d'Imagerie Quantitative de Villefranche (PIQv).
The PIQv and CCPv platforms are part of EMBRC-France, a national Research Infrastructure supported by ANR, under the reference ANR-10-INSB-02
Plankton community in Juday-Bogorov net (330µm) (1966-2025), Point B, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

This series is part of the long term planktonic monitoring of Villefranche-sur-mer, which is one of the oldest and richest in the world. It aims at describing the dynamics of the mesozooplankton community. The data collection and processing has been funded by several projects over its lifetime. It is currently supported directly by the Institut de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV), as part of its long term monitoring effort. This dataset contains the planktonic organisms collected by a Juday-Bogorov net (330μm mesh) and therefore cover organisms from ~300µm to ~2cm.
"Juday-Bogorov net (330μm mesh) hauled vertically from the bottom (~80m) to the surface, in the morning and afternoon of the same day.
Sample preserved in 4% buffered formalin and stored over the long term at the Centre de Collections Planctoniques de Villefranche (CCPv).
Sample scanned on a ZooScan, images processed with ZooProcess and sorted taxonomically on EcoTaxa, within the Plateforme d'Imagerie Quantitative de Villefranche (PIQv).
The PIQv and CCPv platforms are part of EMBRC-France, a national Research Infrastructure supported by ANR, under the reference ANR-10-INSB-02
Global scale surface meso-plankton dataset collected with Manta Net and imaged with ZooScan during the Tara Pacific Expedition

The Tara Pacific expedition sampled differents ecosystems of the oceans during a two-year expedition (2016-2018), collecting environmental data and surface plankton of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, from viruses to metazoans, on board the 36-metre Tara Schooner. Mesoplankton and plastics were sampled using the Manta (300-micron mesh size) at sea surface.See https://doi.org/10.17882/102537 for more details.
Global scale surface meso-plankton dataset collected with Deck Net and imaged with Flowcam during the Tara Pacific Expedition

The Tara Pacific expedition sampled differents ecosystems of the oceans during a two-year expedition (2016-2018), collecting environmental data and surface plankton of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, from viruses to metazoans, on board the 36-metre Tara Schooner. Surface microplankton were collected using a custom-built water pumping system called the Dolphin, designed for use while sailing at high speed. The pumped water was filtered through a 20 µm mesh net (Deck-Net) installed on the deck of the schooner Tara.See  https://doi.org/10.17882/102697 for more details.
Occurrences of planktonic organisms imaged by an Underwater Vision Profiler 6 on a SeaExplorer glider during the 2021 spring bloom in the North Western Mediterranean Sea

Regular glider surveys are conducted in the Ligurian Sea (North Western Mediterranean), between Nice and the DYFAMED sampling point. Between February and June 2021, i.e. during the spring bloom, the glider was equipped with an Underwater Vision Profiler: an intelligent camera system that records and process images, yielding images of all objects larger than ~600µm in Equivalent Spherical Diameter. These objects where then taxinomically assigned.\nFor more details on the method see https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12566.
HELCOM/OSPAR port sampling

HELCOM/OSPAR Join Ballast Water Decision support tool: Based on the overall IMO framework the 21 Baltic and North-East Atlantic coastal states and EU have developed and agreed in 2013 on a detailed joint harmonised procedure (JHP) to defining “low risk” routes, as well as other necessary steps in granting exemptions under regulation A-4 of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. This has been done as a joint venture between the two regional seas commissions HELCOM and OSPAR. The port sampling data on phytoplankton, zooplankton, mobile epifauna, fouling, benthos and pathogens reported to the HELCOM/OSPAR Join Ballast Water Decision support tool (RA Tool) are included in the HELCOM Species database. The observations are thus distributed partly in OSPAR area and outside HELCOM marine area. HELCOM Species database will also be further developed to serve the update of the risk assessment tool carried out in COMPLETE project WP3 (2017-2020).
Kasviplanktontietojärjestelmä KPLANK

The KPLANK database includes phytoplankton data from 1963 to present, covering the Finnish coastal areas and offshore areas of the Baltic Sea. The quantitative data mainly stem from the Finnish national monitoring program and statutory monitoring programs. The database contains approximately 240 000 quantitative records including size classes. In this dataset results are provided per taxon, i.e. size classes are not included. The data available through EMODnet should not be used as is for phytoplankton community analyses, as the dataset only includes taxonomic units with a valid AphiaID. Practical identification units, which are not strict taxonomical units and therefore lack an AphiaID, include e.g. the very common spring bloom dinoflagellates collectively termed the Scrippsiella complex and unidentified single nano-sized coccoid cells (i.e. cells lacking flagella). For phytoplankton community analyses it is needed to contact the data provider. All original data from KPLANK database, including all taxonomic units and size class data are available from the data provider upon request. The database is regularly maintained and data is added continuously.
The KPLANK database includes data on phytoplankton, covering the Finnish coastal areas as well as the offshore areas of the Baltic Sea. The quantitative data mainly stem from the Finnish national monitoring program and statutory monitoring programs. In total the database contain approximately 240 000 quantitative records including size classes. In this dataset biomasses and carbon content are provided per taxon, i.e. size classes are not included. Size class data are available from the data provider upon request. In phytoplankton monitoring it is in some cases necessary to use practical identification units, which are not strict taxonomical units and therefore lack an AphiaID, to record what has been found in the sample. Such practical identification units are used for recording cells that cannot be distinguished to a more specific taxonomic level with the methods used in phytoplankton monitoring (i.e. light microscopic analysis of preserved samples).The data available through EMODnet should not be used as is for phytoplankton community analyses, as the dataset only include taxonomic units with a valid AphiaID. Practical identification units, which are not strict taxonomical units and therefore lack an AphiaID, include e.g. the very common spring bloom dinoflagellates collectively termed the Scrippsiella complex and unidentified single nano-sized coccoid cells (i.e. cells lacking flagella). For analyses of phytoplankton communities it is thus recommended to contact the data provider. All original data from KPLANK database, including these results are available from the data provider upon request. The data span from 1963 to present. The database is regularly maintained and data is added continuously.
Littoral Monitoring Network of Cantabria (Fishes)

IHCantabria with the support of the Regional Government of Cantabria has been carried out since 2005 the monitoring of the coastal waters of Cantabria in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Here is included the abundance and biomass of estuarine fishes obtained from field campaigns in all the estuaries of the region.
Fish sampling is carried out using double pots or butrones (according to FAO and European inter-calibration group terminology called "Twin Fykes"). The butrons consist of two conical structures formed by 7-9 plastic-coated metal rings and a white netting of 7 mm mesh size covering the structures. The entrance rings to the trap are semi-circular and are 50 cm in diameter for small pots and 80 cm in diameter for large pots. The conical structures are placed opposite each other, perpendicular to the flow of the current, and connected by an approximately 2 m long mesh that cuts off the fish and directs them to the trap entrance. The funnel-shaped design makes it easy for fish to enter and difficult for them to exit and become trapped in the net. The minimum number of gears set at each sampling point is four double pots, two large and two small. The booby traps are preferably set shortly before low tide or at the beginning of the incoming tide in the late afternoon, which determines the working period. It is not possible to set the traps on an ebb tide, as any fish that might enter would be exposed to fresh water or desiccation. The gears are placed more or less parallel to the shore, in such a way as to prevent them from drying out, as this would also result in the death of the trapped individuals. The double pots are fixed by means of metal bars. The buoons remain in place throughout the night, trying to cover a tidal cycle (low tide-tide-removal before low tide). In any case, the nets must be removed before low tide to avoid the problems of salinity or desiccation mentioned above. The captured fish are placed in white containers with clean water before being measured, renewing the water with some frequency if necessary to avoid heating and loss of dissolved oxygen. Subsequently, the species are identified, all specimens are measured and the abundance of each species (number of individuals) is quantified. The presence of conditions in the captured individuals is also noted. Individuals that cannot be identified in situ are preserved in 70% ethanol for identification in the laboratory, while the rest are returned to the environment to ensure their survival.Study ExtentThe study of fish fauna was carried out in all the estuaries of the region. In each one, a sampling point has been established.Method step description:Both the sampling protocol and the gear used are in accordance with EN 14962:2006 under 6.2.7 "fyke and traps nets".
EMODnet EMODnet Human Activities, Fisheries, Fishery Management Zones and Quotas

The dataset on fishing quotas by Fishery Management Zones (FMZs) was created in 2024 by Cogea for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is based on DG MARE's data and it is available for viewing and download on EMODnet web portal (Human Activities, https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). Total allowable catches (TACs), as Initial Quantity and Adapted Quota, are catch limits (expressed in tonnes) provided for each fish species (code and name) for a given year. Each stock is associated with one FMZ, but a FMZ can have multiple Stocks associated with it. Each species+area combination (stock) has multiple quota values per year. Quota values of the level'TAC' represent total allowable catch (sum of EU and third countries’ quotas). 'EEC' is the EU quota, which is the sum of individual Member States’ quotas. Thus in visualising the values of the quotas, the level needs to be taken into account. For many stocks, there is no value in the quota table. This means that the stock is defined only for reporting purposes, but there is no limitation of the amount of allowable catches. Due to the amount of data, all the attributes are not shown in the mapviewer, thus it is recommended to download the data in order to access to all the available info.
Zooplankton data at the LTER "MareChiara" site (Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea) 1995-2015

The dataset provides the monthly zooplankton observations (species composition and abundance - one sampling per month out of four) conducted at the Long Term Ecological Research station “MareChiara” (LTER-MC) in the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean) from 1995 to 2015.
EMODnet Human Activities, Oil and Gas, Active Licences

The dataset on offshore active licences for Oil and Gas exploitation and exploration in the European seas was created in 2014 by Cogea for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is the result of the aggregation and harmonization of datasets provided by several EU and non-EU sources. It is available for viewing and download on EMODnet web portal (Human Activities, https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). The dataset contains polygons representing the currently active licences in the following countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom. Where available each polygon has the following attributes: country, code, name, type (exploitation, exploration, exploitation and exploration, other), licensing round (it includes also pending applications in Spain), area (square km), area info (it indicates if the area value is original from the source or has been calculated), valid from, valid to, operator or administrator, notes. At present, there are no active licenced areas in Portuguese waters, and no information is available regarding other countries.
Downstream migration of silver eel Anguilla anguilla in the River Nene in 2014

There is a paucity of data to assess escapement rates of silver eel from Anglian Northern Rivers. Since eel regulations were introduced in 2007 technology has improved to assist with gaining estimates of this. The River Nene holds a significant eel population; it is also one of the most modified and heavily regulated rivers in the UK. By assessing silver eel migration down the Nene system and subsequent escapement to the North Sea important information on the rivers capability to produce silver eels that are capable of contributing to the spawning stock can be discerned. This will feed back into local and national eel management plans when targeting future eel habitat improvement schemes. Eels used in this study were captured, tagged and released to complete their downstream journey. They were tracked using remote telemetry sensors at set locations at in-river structures.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of the floating canopy of Macrocystis pyrifera in the Humboldt Current System

The database represents the extent of the floating canopy of M. pyrifera along the Chilean part of the Humboldt Current System and its seasonal variation from summer 2016 to summer 2015.
The Google Earth Engine code for processing satellite images and recognizing floating canopy can be accessed at the following link:https://code.earthengine.google.com/b9e498f597356f9094061abd3f5bf094Data processing were performed using R.
Patterns of phytoplankton community structure and diversity in offshore finfish cages in the Mediterranean Sea (Monastir Bay, Tunisia, 2018)

The dataset includes measurements of key environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentrations, together with data on phytoplankton composition and abundance. These data can be used to evaluate the influence of aquaculture activities on water quality and phytoplankton dynamics in coastal Mediterranean ecosystems.
Great Eggcase Hunt - global citizen science observations of chondrichthyian eggcases

This dataset details approved records from the Shark Trust's Great Eggcase Hunt, active since 2003. Comprised of citizen science observations, both on land and in-situ, records of eggcases from around the world have been complied to help better understand these oviparous species. Data comes from ad-hoc records, regular surveys and data uploads from partner organisations. Please note that not all records are verified, but this has been indicated in the extended Measurements or Facts.
Zooplankton data from LTER MareChiara site in the Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea, (Jan 1984-Dec 2024)

This dataset contains zooplankton community data collected at the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) station MareChiara, located in the Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea (40.81°N, 14.25°E), operated by the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN). Samples were collected through vertical net tows from 50 m depth to the surface using an Indian Ocean net (pre-2016) and a WP2 plankton net (from 2016 onwards). Zooplankton abundance is expressed as individuals per cubic metre. The dataset covers the period 1984–2024 and includes taxonomic identifications with WoRMS LSIDs, life-stage and sex annotations, and sampling instrument metadata following BODC NERC Vocabulary Server standards. Data are structured according to the Darwin Core Event core with Occurrence and Extended Measurement or Fact (eMoF) extensions, following OBIS data standards.
Silver eel migration in the Warnow catchment

Migration patterns of 146 female silver eels on their way through fresh and brackish water stretches of the Warnow River into the Baltic Sea were studied using acoustic telemetry. The majority of eels (77%) regained their expected downstream migration behaviour after a median rehabilitation time of 2 days. Positive rheotactic behaviour was observed for 23% of tagged eels after release, probably influenced by experimental procedures. The observed silver eel escapement rate was 63%. Two migratory groups were classified by significantly different migratory speed, time of residence in brackish waters and biometric silvering characteristics. Although the classification of silvering stages is based on these measures, the proportions of these stages did not reflect the observed differences in migratory behaviour. In the context of a permanent silver eel descent in the freshwater part of the Warnow River, a permanent escapement was likewise occurring into the Baltic Sea.
Gulf of California databases of small pelagic fish

The Gulf of California databases of small pelagic fish are made up of a database of the program observed on-board jointly developed by INAPESCA and the NGO Comunidad y Biodiversidad (COBI), as an instrument for monitoring the fishing activities of the sardine fleet, which proven to be relevant for certifying the Gulf of California sardine fishery as sustainable under the Marine Stewardship Council standard. This information corresponds to the Sonora sardine fleet, from January 2013 to June 2014, with a record of 1,175 hauls with positive catches. These include information about Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax); thread herring (Opisthonema libertate); northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax); and Pacific anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus).Important Note: This submission has been initially submitted to SEA scieNtific Open data Edition (SEANOE) publication service and received the recorded DOI. The metadata elements have been further processed (refined) in EMODnet Ingestion Service in order to conform with the Data Submission Service specifications.
Basking Shark Project - global citizen science observations of Cetorhinus maximus

This dataset details approved records from the Shark Trust's Basking Shark Project. This dataset is in part comprised of records from the Marine Conservation Society's Basking Shark Watch (1986-2018), and data provided from the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch.Comprised of citizen science observations, records of Basking Sharks (sighted from land or at sea) from around the world have been complied to help better understand this species. Data comes mostly from ad-hoc records, with some observations recorded from more structured surveys and data uploads from partner organisations.