* TEMPERATURE (DEG C)

NUMBER PER 100 M3

Page 10

TOT. COPEPODA, G. OF MAINE, MAY 88
100000

$0000
coco
70000
60000 +

40000 +
30000
20000 +4
10000

KILOMETERS:

S00

0. 50. 100, 150. 200. 250. 300. 350. 400.

KILOMETERS

450.

500.

33.

= 6
Q@SALINITY (0700)

a
°

Figure 6. (a) Abundance in number of organisms per 100 in? of water filtered of total copepoda
along the Gulf of Maine transect in May 1988. (b) Surface parameter plot of temperature

(°C) and salinity (0/00) along the Gulf of Maine transect in May 1988.


Page 1

ABSTRACT

Results of the ninteenth year of operation of the NMFS Ship of Opportunity Program are presented
in the form of sample vertical sections of water column temperature, surface temperature and salinity,
10 m plankton along the cruise track, and lists of available data . Operational procedures and data

management also are discussed.

INTRODUCTION

In mid-year of 1970, a cooperative expend-
able bathythermograph (XBT) program was
initiated between the National Marine Fish-
eries Service (NMFS) and the Maritime Ad-
ministration (MARAD) of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Commerce. The program, conducted
in support of the MARMAP (Marine Resources
Monitoring Assessment and Prediction) Pro-
gram of NMFS, involved the use of maritime
cadets from the Kings Point Maritime Acad-
emy to gather XBT data on board merchant
ships along the east and Gulf coasts of the
United States.

In 1972 NMFS began a program of coop-
eration with the Oceanographic Laboratory,
Edinburgh, Scotland (now a part of the United
Kingdom's Institute of Marine Environmental
Research (IMER) for the extension of their
long-term Continuous Plankton Recorder
(CPR) survey into additional areas of the
western North Atlantic.

The objectives of these cooperative pro-
grams were to identify and describe seasonal
and year-to-year variations of temperature
salinity, circulation, and plankton in major
currents of the Gulf of Mexico and western
North Atlantic, using merchant ships as inex-
pensive platforms for collection of data. In
the mid-1970s the objectives of the program
were revised to concentrate on water masses,
circulation, and planktonic biota of the Middle
Atlantic Bight, Gulf of Maine, and eastern
Gulf of Mexico with particular interest in the
continental shelf and slope waters in the
Middle Atlantic Bight. Coverage in the Gulf
of Mexico ended in 1987.

AREAS OF STUDY

Ship routes were selected to obtain regu-
lar sampling in the most dynamic or diagnos-
tic areas. Repeated coverage is important for
comparative analyses, so ships with the most
regular schedules have been chosen when-
ever possible.

Expendable bathythermograph (XBT),
meteorological, and continuous plankton
records data were collected in 1988 by the
vessels Oleander and Yankee Clipper.

The Oleander transits from Newark, NJ to
Bermuda on a weekly basis, with approxi-
mately monthly collections of data between
Ambrose Light and the vicinity of the Gulf
Stream’s North Wall in either an easterly or
westerly direction (Figure 1).

The Yankee Clipper transits weekly from
Boston, MA to Halifax, Nova Scotia making
monthly data collections from approximately
the 20 fm line off Boston to Cape Sable (Figure
4).

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
PHYSICAL DATA

On both vessels, XBT and weather data
were handled using the Bathy Systems data
acquisition system. This system consists of
Sippican XBT probes, a Bathy Systems model
SA810 XBT controller, a Hewlett-Packard desk
top computer, a Synergetics Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)
data transmitter and antenna, and software
from Bathy Systems. The XBT and meteorol-
ogic data were sent via GOES transmitter to


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Figure 2. Sample of computer generated vertical temperature (°C) section from the New York
Bight in 1988.


Table 1. 1988 New York Bight transect data from the vessel Oleander

Page 3

Cruise Number Dates XBT CPR SurfT Surf$
88-01 January 08 x x x x
88-02 February 05 x x x x
88-03 March 18 xX xX xX xX
88-04 April 08 X x x Xx
88-05 April 13-14 xX xX x
88-06 May 06-07 Xx X x x
88-07 June 10 x x x x
88-08 June 11-12 xX x xX
88-09 July 08-09 xX xX x xX
88-10 August 19-20 x
88-11 August 24-25 X x Xx Xx
88-12 September 09-10 x x x x
88-13 October 14 x x X x
88-14 October 19-20 x Xx x
88-15 November 04 xX xX 4 xX
88-16 December 02-03 xX xX x Xx

Table 2. 1988 Gulf of Maine transect data from the vessel Yankee Clipper

Cruise Number Dates XBT CPR SurfT  SurfS
88-01 January 21-22 xX xX xX xX
88-02 February 15-16 x x x x
88-03 March 19-20 xX x xX xX
88-04 April 15-16 xX x xX X
88-05 May 10-11 x x x xX
88-06 June 10-11 xX xX x xX
88-07 July 08-09 Xx xX x xX
88-08 August 12-13 xX xX xX X
88-09 September 09-10 xX xX x x
88-10 October 24-25 x x x x
88-11 November 19 x x x xX
88-12 December 10 Xx xX x x



Page 2

the Command and Data Acquisition System
(CDA) ground station at Wallops Island, VA
and relayed to the National Environmental
Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS) computer in Washington D.C. for
distribution to outside users. Temperature
and weather data were transmitted via GOES
every three and six hours, respectively, for
distribution to other users. Thus, much of the
temperature data transmitted via GOES was
considered “real time.”

On the Oleander, XBTs were dropped at
least once per hour and on the Yankee Clipper,
once every two hours. On both vessels, mete-
orological observations were taken every six
hours at standard synoptic hours. At the time
of each XBT drop, surface water samples
were collected with a bucket for later analysis
to determine salinity.

PLANKTON DATA

On the above transects a continuous rec-
ord of the plankton retained by the CPR was
obtained along the track of the ship at adepth
of 10m. Water passing through the CPR was
filtered with bolting silk having mean aper-
ture dimensions of 225 X 234 microns.

DATA PROCESSING

An Autosal model 8400 Salinometer was
used for salinity determinations. Tempera-
ture/depth data collected on HP 85 cassette
tapes were processed and quality controlled
by NMFS personnel. The CPR record was
returned to Narragansett, RI where it was cut
into segments corresponding to 18.5 km (10
nm) of coverage with times, dates, and posi-
tions calculated for their center points. Speci-
mens were identified, enumerated, and their
abundance calculated.

RESULTS

NEW YORK BIGHT

A sample vertical temperature section of
observations made from the Oleander during
May 1988 is presented in Figure 2. Each transect
is identified by a cruise number and date of
collection. Table 1 lists all cruises for 1988
along with the type of data obtained. Data for
any transect are available from NODC ina
variety of forms. Requests for, and inquiries
about Ship of Opportunity XBT data held by
NODC, as well as data products should be
directed to:

National Oceanographic Data Center

(D761)

National Environmental Satellite, Data
and Information Service, NOAA

Washington, DC 20235

Figure 3 shows the abundance (number of
organisms per 100 m? of water filtered) of
total Copepoda at a 10 m depth, as well as
surface temperatures and salinities taken in
the New York Bight, May 1988.

Inquiries about these data should be di-
rected to:

Science and Research Director

U.S. Deptment of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin.

National Marine Fisheries Service

Woods Hole, MA 02543

GULF OF MAINE

Table 2 lists all cruises for 1988 along with
the type of data obtained. Each transect is
identified by a cruise number and date of
collection.

A sample vertical temperature section
(Figure 5) of observations made from the




Northeast Fisheries Center Reference Document 89-05

Expendable Bathythermograph
Observations and Continuous
Plankton Records

from the NMFS/Ship of
Opportunity Program for 1988

by

Robert L. Benway

Environmental Processes Division
Narragansett, RI 02882

and

Jack W. Jossi

Fisheries Ecology Division
Narragansett, RI 02882

NOAA

National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Center
Woods Hole, MA 02543

July 1989


ee
jova

|

Mass

ae



« TEMPERATURE (DEG C)

Page 7

TOT. COPEPODA, NY BIGHT, NAY 88

100000
90000
80000
= 70000 {
3
- 60000 4
Pa va
80000 4
40000
2 30000 a
= 20000
10000
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0 so 100 150 200 20 wo 350 400 450 5300 550
KILOMETERS
24 a7.
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| 35.
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L 31.5
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0. 50. 100. 150. 200. 250. 300. 350. 400. 450. 500. 550.

SURFACE PARAMETERS

Figure 3. (a) Abundance in number of organisms per 100 m’ of water filtered of total Copepoda
along the New York Bight transect in May 1988, (b) surface parameter plot of temperature
(°C) and salinity (0/00) along the New York Bight transect in May 1988.



Page 4

Yankee Clipper during May 1988 is presented.
Data for any transect are available from NODC
in a variety of forms. Requests for, and in-
quiries about Ship of Opportunity XBT data
held by NODC, as well as data products
should be directed to:
National Oceanographic Data Center
(D761)
National Environmental Satellite,
Data and Information Service, NOAA
Washington, DC 20235
Figure 6 shows the abundance (number of
organisms per 100 mi of water filtered) of
total Copepoda at a 10 meter depth, as well as
surface temperatures and salinities taken in
the Gulf of Maine, May 1988.
Inquiries about these data should be di-
rected to:

Science and Research Director

U. S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin.
National Marine Fisheries Service
Woods Hole, MA 02543

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Appreciation is extended to the officers
and crews of the Oleander, Bermuda Con-
tainer Lines, and Yankee Clipper, Claus Spect,
Hamburg Germany, for their generous coop-
eration in this program, whose success is
dependent on them. Appreciation is also
extended to Harvey Thurm of the National
Weather Service whose volunteers ride
monthly on board the Oleander collecting data.


Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction ..
Areas of Study ...
Operational Procedures ....
Physical Data
Plankton Data
Data Processing ..........0+
Results vssseceeceesesesseee
New York Bight
Gulf of Maine
Acknowledgements...

BNNNNNR RP Ree

List of Figures

Figure 1. Transect envelope (a) and density plot (b) from the NMFS

Ship of Opportunity program, Route MB (New York Bight), 1971

tO PLESEMt sesessssssersrseecnrereresenessrsesseesssecsneessscessessneeneessesssneerssesssassesssneeneeese 5
Figure 2. Sample of computer-generated vertical temperature (°C) section

from the New York Bight in 1988 .......sssssssssssseccssesereeresesecsoeseseseneneeses 6
Figure 3. (a) Abundance in number of organisms per 100 m? of water

filtered of total Copepoda along with New York Bight transect

in May 1988, (b) surface parameter plot of temperature (°C) and

salinity (0/00) along the New York Bight transect in May 1988.......... 7
Figure 4. Transect envelope (a) and data density plot (b) from the NMFS

Ship of Opportunity program, Route ME (Gulf of Maine),

1961 to present
Figure 5. Sample of computer-generated vertical termperature (°C) section

from the Gulf of Maine in 1988........ssssesscscssssesosssssesessssnueseeersnesececssuesessees 9
Figure 6. (a) Abundance in number of organisms per 100 m?of water filtered

of total copepoda along the Gulf of Maine transect in May, 1988.

(b) Surface parameter plot of temperature (°C) and salinity (0/00)

along the Gulf of Maine transect in May 1988 ........-tessscsssseseneeeneees 10

List of Tables

Table 1. 1988 New York Bight transect data
Table 2. 1988 Gulf of Maine transect data ....



*¢ TEMPERATURE (DEG C)

NUMBER PER 100 M3

Page 10

TOT. COPEPODA, G. OF MAINE, MAY 83.

100000

90000 4

0000 |

70000

60000

soon 1 GY

40000

30000 |

20000 +

10000

> By 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 $00
KILOMETERS
T T T T T T ij J T
0. 50. 100. 150. 200. 250. 300. 350. 400. 450. S00.

KILOMETERS

33.

ae

a
°

ao
@SALINITY (0700)

Figure 6. (a) Abundance in number of organisms per 100 in’ of water filtered of total copepoda
along the Gulf of Maine transect in May 1988. (b) Surface parameter plot of temperature

(°C) and salinity (0/00) along the Gulf of Maine transect in May 1988.


The Northeast Fisheries Center Reference Documents are a series of informal reports pro-
duced by the Center for timely transmission of results obtained through work at the vari-
ous NEFC labs. The documents are reviewed internally before publication, but are not
considered formal literature. The National Marine Fisheries Service does not endorse any
proprietary material or product mentioned in these reports.



Northeast Fisheries Center Reference Document 89-05

Expendable Bathythermograph
Observations and Continuous Plankton
Records from the NMFS/Ship of
Opportunity Program for 1988

by
Robert L. Benway

Jack W. Jossi

NOAA
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Center
Woods Hole, MA
02543

July 1989



Page 9

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DISTANCE (KM
‘YANKEE CLIPPER 88-05 MAY 10-11 1988
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DISTANCE (KM
YANKEE CLIPPER 88-05 MAY 10-11 1988
72 65
44 44
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YANKEE CLIPPER 88-05 MAY 10-11 1988

Figure 5. Sample of computer-generated vertical temperature (°C) section from the Gulf of
Maine in 1988.