Using the SEAMAP Ichthyoplankton Databases The following document is intended to serve as a basic guideline for working with SEAMAP ichthyoplankton data. The goal of which is to familiarize users with the primary data structures and variables, as well a s give users insight into how the data may be used for analysis. The document will assume that users of the se database files are familiar with basic database manipu lations such as merges , sorts and the creation and /or deletion or variable s (fields) . Conc epts for working to achieve specific goals will be outlined in broad concepts. This will allow users to utilize their own preferred methods for database manipulation and analysis. The document is broken up into three sections. Section I, is a listing of database structures, variable definitions and listings of codes specific to each variable. Section II, describes the relationships within and among the databases . Section III, addresses concepts on how to utilize the databases to quantitatively summarize data on fish eggs and larvae with comments on issues regarding specific variables necessary for quantification. **SECTION I Data Structures**  The 3 primary databases necessary to summarize data on fish eggs and larvae are the STATCARD, ICHSTRWK and ICHSARWK. The STATCARD contains information on where and when sampling operations (stations) have taken places. The ICHSTRWK contains information on the plankton samples taken at each station. While the ICHSARWK contains information on the individual taxa coll ected in each sample. Each of the database structures and its variables are outlined below: **STATCARD Database File Structure**  Field Name = database variable name Type = character, numeric or date variable Wid = width/format Dec = number of decimal pl aces in field if applicable Range/Table = valid range of values or code table listing Req = Minimum required fields Units = Units recorded in Field Name Type Wid Dec Range/Table Req Units 1 CRUISE_NO Char 3 * 2 VESSEL Char 2 VESSELS * 3 P_STA_NO Char 5 * 4 TIME_ZN Char 1 TIMEZONE * 5 MIL_TIME Char 4 0000
- 2359 * hrs, min 6 S_LATD Num 2 0 <= x <= 90 * degrees 7 S_LATM Num 5 2 0 <= x < 60 minutes 8 S_LATH Char 1 N or X 9 S_LOND Num 3 0 <= x <= 180 * degrees 10 S_LONM Num 5 2 0 <= x < 60 minutes 11 S _LONH Char 1 W or X 12 ST_DEPTH Num 6 1 x > 0 * fathoms 13 S_STA_NO Char 5 14 MO_DAY_YR Date 8 * mm/dd/yy 15 END_TIME Char 4 0000
- 2359 hrs, min16 E_LAT D Num 2 0 <= x <= 90 degrees 17 E_LATM Num 5 2 0 <= x < 60 minutes 18 E_LATH Char 1 N or X 19 E_LOND Num 3 0 <= x <= 180 degrees 20 E_LONM Num 5 2 0 <= x < 60 minutes 21 E_LONH Char 1 W or X 22 EDEPTH Num 6 1 x > 0 fathoms 23 GEARS Char 14 GEARTYPE 24 SURF_TEMP Num 5 2
- 1.1 <= x <= 34 deg (C) 25 BOT_TEMP Num 5 2
- 1 .1 <= x <= 32 deg (C) 26 AIR_TEMP Num 4 1 x > - 10 deg (C) 27 B_PRSSR Num 6 1 880 <= x <= 1032 millibars or x = 0 28 WIND_SPD Num 2 0 <= x <= 50 knots 29 WIND_DIR Num 3 0 <= x <= 360 compass deg 30 WAVE_HT Num 4 1 0 <= x <= 10 meters 31 SEA_COND Char 1 0
- 9 Beaufort Scale 32 DATA_CODE Char 2 DATACODE * 33 VESSEL_SPD Num 4 1 0 < x <= 60 knots 34 STAT_ZONE Num 5 1 x > 0 35 TOW_NO Char 1 1
- 9 36 NET_NO Char 1 1
- 3 37 COMMENT Char 111 **Explanation Of STATCARD Variables** CRUISE_NO 3
- character crui se code. VESSEL 2
- character vessel code. Valid Values are: 01 OREGON 02 SILVER BAY 03 GEORGE M. BOWERS 04 OREGON II 05 COMBAT 06 PELICAN 07 FRIGATA 08 KINGFISHER 09 HERNAN CORTEZ 10 GERONIMO 11 UN DAUNTED 12 ANTILLAS 13 CALAMAR 14 ALCYON 15 GULF RANGER 16 WESTERN GULF 17 TOMMY MUNRO 18 TANYA & JOE 19 ONJUKO 20 JEFF & TINA 21 DELAWARE II 22 OSV ANTELOPE23 ALABAMA INSHORE VESSELS 24 FLO RENCE MAY 25 LOUISIANA INSHORE VESSELS 26 SUNCOASTER 27 MISSISSIPPI INSHORE VESSE 28 CHAPMAN 29 NISSHING MARU #201 30 R/V BELLOWS 31 R.J.KEMP 32 MATAGORDA BAY 33 LAGUNA MADRE 34 GALVESTON BAY 35 LUMCON PELICAN 36 HERNAN CORTEZ II 37 OLD COLONY 38 SEAWOLF 39 ATLANTIC HARVESTER 40 SABINE 41 PERSISTANCE 42 CAPTAIN GRUMPY 43 GULF STREAM 44 KELCY ANN 45 MR.JUG 46 CALANUS 47 A.NEEDLER 48 B.I.P. 49 ALBATROSS IV 50 MOLLY M. 51 LADY LISA 52 MISS CARRIE 53 CSS HUDSON 54 CORAL SEA 55 CARETTA 56 R/V ABREU 57 R/V GUAYANILLA 58 SEAHORSE 59 LINDSAY 60 TEDDY'S SCOW 61 RELENTLESS 62 RATFI ELD VESSELS 63 GORDON GUNTER 64 FERREL 65 TRINITY BAY 66 ALABAMA 38ft BERTRAM 67 NUECES BAY 68 MCARTHUR 69 SAN JACINTO 70 R/V SARINNA 71 HARVESTING SYSTEM TECH 99 OTHER VESSELS P_STA_NO 5
- character code designating the Pascagoula station number.TIME_ZN 1
- character time zone code. Valid values are:

1 Eastern Standard Time 2 Eastern Daylight Savings Time 3 Central St andard Time 4 Central Daylight Savings Time 8 Greenwich Mean Time 9 Other
- Explain in Comments Section 5 Atlantic Standard Time 6 Atlantic Daylight Savings Time MIL_TIME Starting time (HHMM) in 24 hour military time. S_LATD Degree of latitude for the position occupied at the start time of a station. S_LATMDecimal minutes of latitu de for the position occupied at the start time of a station. S_LATH Hemi
- sphere of latitude for the position occupied at the start time of a station. S_LOND Degree of longitude for the position occupied at the start time of a station. S_LONMDecimal minutes of longitude for the position occupied at the start time of a station. S_LONH Hemi
- sphere of longitude for the position occupied at the start time of a station. ST_DEPTH Station depth in fathoms for the position occupied at the st art time of a station. MO_DAY_YR Date station was taken in MM/DD/YY format.S_STA_NO 5
- character SEAMAP or alternate station number. END_TIME Ending time (HHMM) in 24 hour military time. E_LATD Degree of latitude for the position occupied at the end time of a station. E_LATMDecimal minutes of latitude for the position occupied at the end time of a station. E_LATH Hemi
- sphere of latitude for the position occupied at the end time of a station. E_LON D Degree of longitude for the p osition occupied at the end time of a station. E_LONMDecimal minutes of longitude for the position occupied at the end time of a station. E_LON H Hemi
- sphere of longitude for the position occupied at the end time of a station. EDEPTH Station depth in fathoms for the position occupied at the end time of a station. GEARS Up to seven 2
- character gear codes. Valid values are:

A ASSORTED C BIOSONICS ACOUSTIC SYSTEM BG BATHYTHERMOGRAPH(CTD, STD) BC BOTTLE CAST GR BOTTOM GRAB OR CORE SAMPLER MC CAMERA,MOVIE SC CAMERA,STILL VC CAMERA,VIDEO CS CONTINUOUS FLOW SYSTEM CM CURRENT DOPPLERDL DEEP LINE DV DIVING CD DREDGE,CLAM QD DREDGE,QUAHOG SD DREDGE,SCALLOP TD DREDGE,TUMBLER XB EXPENDABLE BATHYTHERMOGRAPH(XB FP FISH PUMP GN GILLNET BL LONGLINE,BOTTOM KP LONGLINE,KALI POLE OB LONGLINE,OFF - BOTTOM LL LONGLINE,SURFACE MQ MARQUESETTE MN MICROPEKTON ML MISCELLANEOUS NS NETSONDE LT NIGHT LIGHT OD O DOMETER OF OVERFLIGHT OX OXYGEN,SENSOR,CTD OY OXYGEN,SENSOR,YSI OH OXYGEN,TITRATION,HACHKIT OW OXYGEN,TITRATION,WINKLER OR OYSTER RAKE PN PLANKTON,GENERAL(BONGO,ETC.) MO PLANKTON,MOCNESS NN PLANKTON,SINGLE NEUSTON OR NEK DN PLANKTON,DOUBLE NEUSTON OR NEK RG PLANKTON,RING NET TU PLANKTON,TUCKER TRAWL RF RECORDING FATHOMETER RV REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE(ROV) RT ROTE NONE RN ROUND NET SA SALINITY,AUTOSAL SB SALINITY,BECKMAN RS5 SF SALINITY,CONTINUOUS FLOW SYSTE SX SALIN ITY,CTD RE SALINITY,REFRACTOMETER BS SEINE,BEACH LP SEINE,LAMPARA PS SEINE,PURSE TS SEINE, PURSE,TURTLE SO SONAR SJ SQUID JIG DR SURFACE DRIFTER RL TAG RELEASE TA TEMPERATURE,CONTINUOUS FLOW SY TC TEMPERATURE,CTD TB TEMPERATURE,BECKMAN RS5 TM TEMPERATURE,BUCKET TF TEMPERATURE,FLUKE TY TEMPERATURE,YSI CT TRAP,CRAB TR TRAP,FISH LR TRAP,LOBSTER,REEDLW TRAP,LOBSTER,WIRE WT TRAP,LOBSTER,WOOD TV TRAP VIDEO BT TRAWL,BEAM BB TRAWL,BIB FT TRAWL,FISH EF TRAWL,FISH,EXPERIMENTAL FD TRAWL,FISH DEFLECTOR FE TRAWL,FISH EXCLUDER HO TRAWL,HIGH OPENING BOTTOM MT TRAWL,MIDWATER PT TRAWL,SCALLOP SN TRAWL,SEPARATOR SH TRAWL,SHUMAN ST TRAWL,SHRIMP ES TRAWL,SHRIMP,EXPERIMENTAL SM TRAWL,STANDARD MONGOOSE *T TRAWL,STAR TN TRAWL,TRYNET TE TRAWL,TURTLE EXCLUDER TT TRAWL,TWIN KT TRAWL,WING TG TROLLING GEAR VD VERTICAL DRIFTLINE CC CAMERA,CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISI 01 COMBINATION -- SS+CC 02 COMBINATION -- SS+PR 03 COMBINATION -- CC+PR 04 COMBINATION -- SS+CC+PR 05 COMBINATION -- FM+SS 06 COMBINATION -- FM+SS+PR 07 COMBINATION -- FM+PR FM FATHOMETER FL FLUORESCENCE,CONTINUOUS FLOW S FX FLUORESCENCE,CTD PR PROFILER,3.5 KHZ SUB
- BOTTOM SS SONAR,SIDE SCAN IT TRAP,ICHTHYOPLANKTON,ILLUMINAT SURF_TEMP Surface temperature in deg rees (C) . BOT_TEMP Bottom temperature in deg rees (C) . AIR_TEMP Air temperature in deg rees (C) . B_PRSSR Barometric pressure in millibars .W IND_SPD W ind speed in knots . WIND_DIR Wind direction in compass deg rees. WAVE_HT Wave height in meters . SEA_COND Sea surface condition according to Beaufort Scale . DATA_CODE 2
- character data collection code designating collection agency. Valid values a re:



### AL Alabama FL Florida GA Georgia LA Louisiana MS Mississippi NC North Carolina SC South Carolina TX Texas US Federal Vessel 99 Oth er PR Puerto Rico VI Virgin Islands VESSEL_SPD Vessel speed in knots . STAT_ZONE Code for SEAMAP shrimp statistical zone. Valid values are 01 to 22. T OW_NO Consecutive tow withing a SEAMAP (S_STA_NO). Valid values are 1 to 9. NET_NO Code designating tow position of trawl. Valid values are 1 = Port 2 = Starboard 3 = Stern TrawlCOMMENT Short comment regarding station operation s and any issues with sampling.
**ICHSTRWK Database File**  **Structure** Field Name Type Wid Dec Range/Table Req Units 1 CRUISE_NO Char 3 * 2 VESSEL Char 2 VESSELS * 3 P_STA_NO Cha r 5 * 4 SAMPLE_NO Char 5 * 5 SIPC_CODE Char 1 SIPC 6 DATA_CODE Char 2 DATACODE * 7 CR_STDATE Date 8 mm/dd/yy 8 CRENDDATE Da te 8 mm/dd/yy 9 AREA_PROJ Char 2 AREA_PRO 10 PI_CODE Char 2 PI_CODE 11 TIME_ZONE Char 1 TIMEZONE * 12 TIME Char 4 0000
- 2359 * hrs, min 13 GEAR_CODE Char 2 GEAR_ICH 14 MESH_CODE Char 2 MESH_ICH 15 START_TIME Char 6 000000
- 235959 hrs,min,sec 16 END_TIME Char 6 000000
- 235959 hrs,min,sec 17 START_FLOW Num 6 x >= 0 meter reading 18 END_FLOW Num 6 x >= 0 meter reading 19 MIN_DEPTH Num 4 x >= 0 meters 20 MAX_DEPTH Num 4 x >= 0 meters 21 VOL_FILT Num 3 cu. meters 22 ROTOR Num 5 x >= 0 23 NO_EGGS Num 6 x >= 0 24 EGGS_ALIQU Char 4 ALIQUOT **Explanation of ICHSTRWK Variables** CRUISE_NO 3
- character cruise code. VESSEL 2
- character vessel code. See explanan tion of STATCARD variables for valid values. P_STA_NO 5
- character code designating the Pascagoula station number. SAMPLE_NO 5
- characer code designating the SEAMAP plankton sample number. This is a unique identifier for each sample.SIPC_CODE Sample initial preservative code. Valid values are:

0 Unknown 1 5% Formalin 2 10% Formalin 3 95% Ethanol 4 70% Ethanol 5 0T0FIX DATA_CODE Equivalent to DATA_CODE in the STATCARD database file. CR_STDATE Date the cruise began in MM/DD/YY format. CRENDDATE Date the cruise ended in MM/DD/YY format. AREA_PROJ Code for area and projec t. Valid Values are:

01 GOM/SEAMAP 02 NOT SEAMAP 03 CAN/RICHARDS 04 W.J.RICHARDS 05 SA/SEAMAP PI_CODE Principle Investigator Code. Valid Values are:

0 1 NMFS 02 GCRL 03 TOPW 04 FL.DNR 05 LDWF 06 STATE OF AL 07 UNIV. MIA. 08 CANADA 09 MEXICO 10 FL. INST. OCEAN 11 TEXAS 12 SOUTH CAROLINA TIME_ZONE Equivalent in structure and valid values to TIME_ZN in the STATCARD structures. May be different values and times than the STATCARD values.TIME Approximate time (HHMM) plankton sampling operations began.

GEAR_CODE Plankton gear code. Valid values are:

01 60 cm Bongo 0.61 02 1m Ring 1.00 03 1X2m Neuston 04 1/2m Ring 0.50 05 20 cm Bongo 0.20 07 1m**2 Tucker Trawl 08 Double 1X2m Neuston 09 1m**2 Mocness 10 4m**2 Mocness 11 60 cm o/c Bongo 0.60 12 20 cm o/c Bongo 0.20 13 60 cm BNF1 0.61 14 70 cm Bongo 0.70 06 Other/Unknown MESH_CODE Plankton net mesh size code. Valid values are:

01 .303m 02 .999m 03 .333m 04 .253m 05 .505m 06 UNKNOWN 09 .946m 10 .363m 11 .153m 12 .202m 13 .760m 14 .064m 15 .100m START_TIME Time in hrs,min,sec (HHMMSS) that the plankton gear began fishing. END_TIME Time in hrs,min,sec (HHMMSS) that the plankton gear stopped fishing. START_FLOW Starting flow meter reading. END_FLOW Ending flow meter reading.MIN_DEPTH Minimum tow depth in meters. MAX_DEPTH Maximum tow depth in meters. VOL_FILT Volume of water in cubic meters filtered through the plankton net. ROTOR Constant valued from the flow meter manufacture used to convert flow meter counts to distance. NO_EGGS Number of fish eggs removed from the sample. EGGS_ALIQU Size of sample aliquot eggs were removed from. Valid Values are:



### 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8

**ICHSA RWK**  **Database File Structure** 
Field Name Type Wid Dec Range/Table Req Units 1 CRUISE_NO Char 3 * 2 VESSEL Char 2 VESSELS * 3 P_STA_NO Char 5 * 4 SAMPLE_NO Char 5 * 5 SAMP_STAT Char 1 SMPLSTAT 6 DATA_CODE Char 2 DATACODE * 7 CATALOG_NO Char 13 8 TAXONOMIC Char 13 BIOCODE * 9 BIOCODE Num 9 BIOCODE * 10 LIFE_STAGE Char 1 LIFESTA 11 MEAS Num 4 x >= 0 * 12 NOT_MEAS Num 4 x >= 0 13 SAMP_DATE Date 8 * mm/dd/yy 14 VOL_DISP Num 3 x >= 0 milliliters 15 ALIQUOT Char 3 1/1,1/2,1/4,1/8 16 STATUS Char 2 STATUS 17 COMMENT Char 75 18 SASBIOCODE Char 12 19 SASTAXON Char 5020 TIMES Char 2 21 UP_YEAR Char 4 22 UP_DATE Char 10 23 UP_ACTION Char 1 24 UP_ID Char 3 25 UP_TYPE Char 15 26 UP_PREDATE Char 1 **Explanatio n of ICHSA**  **RWK Variables** CRUISE_NO 3
- character cruise code. VESSEL 2
- character vessel code. See explanantion of STATCARD variables for valid values. P_STA_NO 5
- character code designating the Pascag oula station number. SAMPLE_NO 5
- characer code designating the SEAMAP plankton sample number. This is a unique identifier for each sample. SAMP_STAT Sample status sorting code. Valid values are: 0 Unknown 1 Sorted with fish caught 2 Sorted with no fish caught 3 Sample lost or broken 4 Sample sorted for only selected taxa 5 Sample sent to Gulf Coast Research Lab 6 S ample sent to Miami Laboratory 7 Sample sent to Panama City Laboratory 8 Sample used for student thesis 9 Sample number assigned no sample taken A Bongo/Neuston paired status * Non - Quantitative DATA_CODE Equivalent to DATA_CODE in the STATCARD database file. CATALOG_NO 13
- character field containing the SEAMAP archive serial number. TAXONOMIC13
- character field containg the abbreviated SEAMAP taxonomic code. At the species level the 1 st 7 character refer to the genus and the last 6 characters refer to the species. At taxonomic levels greater than species the whole field is used to identify a taxon. BIOCODE 9
- digit numeric code for a taxon. LIFE_STAGE Life stage of a taxon. Currently not used for fish l arvae. Valid values are: 1 ZOEAE

2 MEGALOPAE 3 POSTLARVAE 4 JUVENILE MEAS Number of fish larvae measured for a specific CATALOG_NO. NOT_MEAS Number of fish larvae not mea sured for a specific CATALOG_NO. SAMP_DATE Date sample (SAMPLE_NO) was taken in MM/DD/YY format. VOL_DISP Wet displacement volume in milliliter/cubic centimeters of entire plankton sample. ALIQUOT Size of sample aliquot from which f ish larvae were sorted. Valid values are: 

### 1/1

1/2 1/4 1/8 STATUS Taxonomic identification status code. Valid values are:

00 Normal condition. No examination of or changes in sample have been made. 01 Specimen(s) lost. 02 Specimen(s) destroyed. 03 Specimen(s) cleared and stained. 04 Specimen(s) dessicated, but not destroyed.05 Specimen(s) sectioned. 06 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; new ID positive to genus level. 07 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; new ID positive to species level. 08 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; new ID uncertain. 09 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; see DCOMM(yr). 10 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; disagreement on correct ID among loan users; see DCOMM(yr). 11 Orig ID confirmed. 12 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; new ID positive to family level. 13 ID change. Orig ID incorrect; new ID positive to order 

### level. 14 Specimen(s) on permanent or long term l oan. COMMENT Short comment documenting issues at the CATALOG_NO level. SASBIOCODE , SASTAXON, TIMES, UP_YEAR, UP_DATE, UP_ACTION, UP_ID, UP_TYPE, UP_PREDATE Variables added to the structure to allow for tracking updates to the SEAMAP ichthyoplankton databases by the data management team. They are not documented for the original SEAMAP system.
**SECTION II Within**  **Table Relationships STATCARD**  The STATCARD database contains individual records for each statio n at which sampling occurred, including s tations at which gear other than plankton gears were used . Each unique record in the database is defined by the combination of the VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO variables. Only the combination of all three variables will define a unique station. **ICHST RW** **K** The ICHSTRWK database contains individual records for each plankton sample number (SAMPLE_NO) taken at a station. The database therefore contains 1 record for each sample number. However, there may be multiple samples (SAMPLE_NO) for each combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO. **ICHSARWK** The ICHSARWK database contains at least one record for each sample number (SAMPLE_NO) in the ICHSTRWK. Within the ICHSARWK database the combination of the VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO +SAMPEL_NO + CATALOG_NO define a unique record. Sample s with a sample

status (SAMP_STAT) equal to 0, 2 , 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 contain a single record . These records are place holders that indicate the disposition of samples taken under the SEAMAP umbrella. Samples with a sample status equal to 1, 4 or * may have multiple reco rds associated with a sample number. Only, records with a sample status of 1, 4, and * will have informa tion pertaining to specific taxon . Records with a sample status of 1 or 2 are the only samples tha t should be used for quantitative analysis and summaries. A sample status of 1 indicates the sample was shorted for all fish larvae, and a status of 2 indicates a valid sample with no fish larvae. The taxonomic (TAXONOMIC) and/or biocode (BIOCODE) variab le s do not define a unique record, and mult iple entries for a specific taxon may be valid for multi ple catalog numbers under a single sample number. **Among Table Relationships** The STATCARD, ICHSTRWK and ICHSARWK databases are relational, and informati on in them follows a hierarchical progression. In regards to ichthyoplankton data, the statcard with its location information is at the station level, the ICHSTRWK is at the level individual samples collected at a station, while the ICHSTRWK contains inf ormation on the individual fish larvae taken in the samples. In order to link to information contain in each of the separate databases the following relationships can be used. Information between the STATCARD and ICHSTRWK can be linked (merged) by setti ng a relationship between the unique combination of the VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO variables. Information between the ICHSTRWK and ICHSARWK can be linked (merged) by setting a relationship between the unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_N O + SAMPLE_NO variables. Information may also be linked by setting relationships between any of the variable s common among the 3 databases. Suggestions for how to link (merge) the databases for quantitative analysis can be found in the next section. **SE CTION III**  **Suggestions for Quantitative Analysis** This section is written for user wishing to use the SEAMAP ichthyoplankton databases to develop quantitative analyses and summaries. The focus will be on utilizing the standard SEAMAP bongo and neuston col lections to determine abundance estimates for eggs, displacement volume, total fish larvae and larvae of specific taxon. It assumes that users will wish to select data from specific geographic areas. Ichthyoplankton samples have been collected during f ishery
independent, resource surveys in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) since 1982 under the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP). Surveys are conducted by the N ational Marine Fisheries Service incooperation with the states of Florida, Alab ama, Mississippi, and

Louisiana . The SEAMAP samples compose a majority of the data in the ICHSTRWK and ICHSARWK databases. Most but not all SEAMAP, standard plankton stations (bnumbers) are located at 30 mile or 1⁄2 degree (~56 km) intervals in a fixed, sy stematic grid across the GOM (Figure 1), although, only every other N - S transect of stations is sampled during spring surveys and during fall plankton surveys in 1988
- 1991. Summer and Fall SEAMAP sampling is conducted at bnumbers over the continental shelf , and Spring sampling in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Occasionally durin g surveys, samples are taken at n onstandard locations or stations are moved to avoid navigational hazards. Samples are taken upon arrival on station regardless of time of da y. At each station either a bongo and/or neuston tow are made depending on the specific survey. Stan dar d SEAMAP survey plankton sampling is conducted with 61 cm bong o nets and/or single or double 1 x 2 meter neuston net. The 61 cm bongo net is fitted with 0.333 (0.335) micron mesh nets. Bongo nets are fished in an oblique tow path from the surface to a maximum depth of 200 m or to 2
- 5 m off the bottom at depths less than 200 m. A mechanical flowmeter is mounted off
- center in the mouth of each bongo net to record the volume of water filtered. Volume filtered ranges from ~20 to 600 m3 but is typically 30 to 40 m 3 at the shallowest stations and 300 to 400 m 3 at the deepest stations. Typically, abundance for eggs, displacement volume and fish larvae are expre sses as the number or volume under 10 m 2 of sea surface. Alternately, abundance may be expresses as the number or volume per volume of seawater filtered through the net. However, per volume o f seawater estimates are integrat ed over the entire depth range . Neuston nets are fitted wit h 0.947 (0.950) 1 mm mesh net. The neuston gear is towed at the surface with its frame half
- submerged for 10 minutes. Data are only available for fish larvae . Abundance estimates of fish larvae are expressed as the number p er 10 minute tow. Non - standard gear and mesh sizes have b een used to collect plankton samples and are coded as such in the database. In order arrive at these abundance estimates it will be necessary to utilize data from all of the STATCARD, ICHSTRWK and ICHSARWK databases. This is necessary since the databases are optimized for efficient storage not data analysis and summary. For instance, examining the basic database structures outlined above we can see position information is located in the STATCARD; information of the gear used and effort are located in the ICHSTRWK; and variables necessary to enumerate larvae of individual taxon and sample status are located in the ICHSARWK. Therefore, in order to determine abundance estimates of fish larvae for a s pecific gear and mesh combination within a given geographic area requires the building of a dataset that contains all the necessary variables from all three databases. The rest of this document will deal with the specifics of arriving at these estimates f or the standard SEAMAP samples. Each section cover s a different topic .**Putting all the variables needed to do quantitativ**  **e analysis into a singe dataset.**  Since most personal computers have the storage and memory requirement to handl e large amounts of data, start by merging the three separate databases into a single database/dataset that can be further manipulated. The following steps outline suggested concepts necessary to do this: 1. Add a new nume ric variable to the STATCARD database called STAREC (st atcard record) and set it equal to 1 for all records. 2. Add a new numeric variable to the ICHSTRWK database called ISTREC (ichstrwk record) and set it equal to 1 for all records. 3. Add a new numeric variable to the ICHSARWK file called ISAREC (ichsarwk recor d) and set it equal to 1 for all records.
4. Sort/index the STATCARD file on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO 5. Sort/index the ICHSTRWK file on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO 6. Sort/index the ICHSARWK file on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO. 7. Merge/combine the STATCARD and ICHSTRWK files by setting a relationship/link be tween the STATCARD and ICHSTRWK databases on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO. 8. Sort/index the combined STATCARD/ICHSTRWK file on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_N O. 9. Next, merge/combine the newly combined STATCARD/ICHSTRWK database/dataset with the ICHSARWK database by setting a relationship/link between the combined STATCARD/ICHSTRWK and the ICHSARWK database on VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPL E_NO. 9. Keep only the records in the final database / dataset where The variables STAREC = 1 and ISTREC = 1 and ISAREC = 1. The final database/dataset should have as many records as were found in the original ICHSARWK database. The final dataset should now contain the STATCARD and ICHSTRWK information for each record in the ICHSARWK database. **Filtering data by geographic area.** The SEAMAP BNumbers (Figure 1) represent the systematic sampling grid design of the SEAMAP surveys. The bnumbers when recorded are found in the SEAMAP Station Number Field (S_STA_NO). Unfortunately, the bnumbers are not consistently recorded for all cruises, nor are they recorded in a consistent manner in the S_STA_NO variable . For example, bnumber B001 may appear in the databas e as B1, B01, B001, B
-001 etc.. Therefore, filtering data by geographic area is best done by

longitude and latitude. Figure 1 can be used to find the approximate area a bnumber represents. It is easi est to work in decimals degree. Using the combined da tabase created earlier or with the STATCARD database, decimal longitude and latitude can be calculated as follows (make sure to include parentheses in the formula): Decimal Longitude: ( ( S_LOND + ( S_LONM / 60 ) ) *

- 1 ) Decimal Lattitude: ( S_LATD + ( S_LATM /60 ) ) **Filtering Data by Gear and Sampling Status** The beginning of this section outlines the SEAMAP sampling design and the standard bongo and neuston net sampling gears. The primary difference between the two gears is that the bongo gear can give estimates of abundance for eggs, displacement volume, total fish larvae and individual taxonomic categories, while the neuston gear only provides data on fish larvae and individual taxonomic categories. However, egg and displacement volume may not be available for all bongo samples. Bongo net samples as noted above are towed in an oblique pattern from the surface to near bottom and then back to the surface. Therefore abundance estimates based on volume or surface area, for a sample are intergraded o ver the water column. Nueston net samples are only collected from the surface half meter of the water column and are effort bases on time. Valid quantitative SEAMAP samples can be filter out of the combined STATCARD/ICHSTRWK/ICHSARWK data set by selectin g only records where: For Standard SEAMAP Bongo Net Tows: (GEAR_CODE = “01” and MESH_CODE = “03”) and (SAMP_STAT = “1” or SAMP_STAT = “2”) I.E, give me only samples where gear = 61 cm bongo with a mesh size of .333 with a sorting status of sorted with fish larvae found or sorted with no larvae. For Standard SEAMAP Neuston Net Tows: ( ( (GEAR_CODE = “03” or GEAR_CODE = “08”) and MESH_CODE = ‘09’ ) and (SAMP_STAT = ‘1’ or SAMP_STAT = ‘2’) I.E, give me only samples collected where gear = a single or double neuston net sample with a mesh size of .947 with a sorting status of sorted with fish larvae found or sorted with no larvae.-98 -97 -96 -95 -94 -93 -92 -91 -90 -89 -88 -87 -86 -85 -84 -83 -82 -81 -80

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

B001 B002

B003

B004 B005

B006

B007 B008 B009 B010 B011 B012

B013 B014 B015 B016 B017

B018

B019 B020 B021 B022 B023

B024

B025 B026 B027 B028

B029 B030 B031

B032 B033 B034 B035 B036 B037 B038 B039 B040 B041 B042 B043 B044 B045 B046 B047 B048 B049 B050 B051 B052 B053

B054 B055

B056 B057

B058 B059

B060 B061

B062 B063

B064 B065

B066

B067 B068 B069

B070 B071 B072 B073 B074 B075 B076 B077

B078 B079 B080 B081 B082 B083

B084 B085 B086 B087 B088 B089 B090 B091 B092 B093 B094 B095 B096 B097 B098 B099 B100 B101 B102 B103 B104 B105 B106 B107 B108 B109 B110 B111 B112 B113 B114 B115 B116
B117 B118 B119 B120
B121
B122 B123
B124 B125 B126 B127 B128 B129 B130 B131 B132 B133 B134 B135 B136 B137 B138 B139 B140
B141
B142 B143
B144 B145 B146
B147 B148 B149 B150 B151 B152 B153 B154 B155 B156 B157 B158 B159 B160

B161 B162 B163 B164 B165 B166 B167 B168 B169 B170 B171 B172 B173
B174 B175 B176 B177 B178 B179 B180 B181 B182 B183 B184 B185 B186 B187 B188 B189 B190 B191 B192 B193 B194 B195 B196 B197 B198 B199 B200 B201 B202 B203 B204 B205 B206 B207 B208 B209 B210 B211 B212 B213
B214 B215 B216 B217 B218 B219 B220 B221
B222 B223
B224 B225 B226

B227 B228 B229 B230 B231 B232 B233 B234 B235 B236 B237 B238 B239 B240 B241

B242 B243 B244 B245 B246 B247 B248 B249 B250 B251 B252 B253 B254 B255 B256 B257

B258 B259 B260 B261 B262

B263 B264 B265 B266 B267 B268 B269 B270 B271 B272 B273
B274 B275 B276
B277 B278 B279 B280 B281 B282 B283 B284

B285 B286 B287

B288 B289 B290 B291 B292 B293 B294 B295 B296 B297 B298 B299 B300 B301 B302 B303 B304 B305 B306 B307 B308 B309 B310 B311 B312

B313 B314 B315 B316

B317 B318 B319
B320 B321

B322 B323 B324

B325
B326 B327

B328

B329 A165 A160



### Figure 1. Gulfwide distribution of SEAMAP BNumbers.A merged data set is necessary since the GEAR_CODE and MESH_CODE

v ariables are taken from the ICHSTRWK database and the SAMP_STAT variable from the ICHSARWK database. The majority of the database has only a data for only a single bongo or neuston sample taken at each station. In some cases both samples from a paired ge ar (bongo or double neuston) may have data from both samples ta ken at a station . These samples can be considered as replicates. In addition, some stations may hav e multiple bongo or nueston tows at the same station. Currently , the database does not code for paired samples or multiple samples taken at a station. **Estimating Abundance of Fish Larvae**  **from Bongo Net Samples .**  As noted above , abundance estimates of fish larvae can be volume or surface area based. Additionally, estimates of fish larvae can be based on all fish larvae in a sample (total fish larvae), or based on individual taxonomic categories. This section will outline the necessary calculation and concepts necessary to properly enumerate total fish larvae and fish larvae by taxonomic categ ory . At this point , we will assume that our combined dataset created at the beginning of this section has been pre
- filtered by geographic area and contains only records for valid (SAMP_STAT = 1 or 2) bongo (GEAR_CODE = ‘01’ and MESH_CODE = ‘03’) sample s. The dataset should contain a single record for each unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO. Unique combinations of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO for samples with a SAMP_STAT = 2 in the dat aset will have a empty CATALOG_NO variable, and will have only a single record in the dataset. As the only record, the blank CATALOG_NO field is unique for that SAMPLE_NO. Unique combinations of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO with a SAMP_STAT = 1 will have a unique CATALOG_NO for each re cord, and will have one record for each un ique CATALOG_NO for a unique SAMPLE_NO. Therefore, there are 1 or more records for SAMPLE_NOs with a SAMP_STAT = 1. However, there ma y be several unique CATALOG_NO s in a sample with the same TAXONOMIC category. Figure 2 shows a hypothetical minimum dataset for 3 unique SAMPLE_NOs for 2 samples with a SAMP_STAT = 2 and single SAMPLE_NO with a SAMP_STAT = 1. The minimum variable set necessary to calculate the number of larvae under 10 m 2 for each unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO is MEAS, NOT_MEAS, ALIQUOT, VOL_FILT and MAX_DEPTH. The minimum variable set necessary to calculate the number of larvae per m3 is MEAS, NOT_MEAS, ALIQUOT, VOL_FILT. However, several changes to the dataset are needed prior to calculating these values due to the way the data is stored in the original databases: 1. In some instances the numeric MEAS and NOT_MEAS fields are blank (null) o r may contain
- 9 (also considered a null value) . In these cases, t he blanks and
- 9 must be set to a value of 0 (zero) . For example, if MEAS =
- 9 then MEAS = 0 or if MEAS = NULL (database dependent) then MEAS = 0, and likewise for NOT_MEAS. 2. ALIQUOT i n the database is a character variable with valid values of ALIQUOT = “1/1”, “1/2”, “1/4” or “1/8”. SAMPLE_NOs with a SAMP_STAT = ‘1’ will have one of the valid values. SAMPLE_NOs with aSAMP_STAT = ‘2’ may have a valid value or be left blank. In order to

properly calculate the larvae/10 m 2 or larvae/10 m 3 values , a numeric variable to be used as a n ALIQUOT multiplier will be necessary. The multiplier is the reciprocal of the fraction represented in the ALIQUOT variable , i.e. “1/2” = 2. This step is ne cessary in order to account for sub
- sampling by aliquoting. For SAMPLE_NOs with a SAMP_STAT = ‘2’ the aliquot multiplier is 1. The new variable can be created with the following logic: If ALIQUOT = “1/1” then MULTIPLIER = 1 If ALIQUOT = “1/2” then MU LTIPLIER = 2 If ALIQUOT = “1/4” then MULTIPLIER = 4 If ALIQUOT = “1/8” then MULTIPLIER = 8 If SAMP_STAT = ‘2’ then MULTIPLIER = 1 Figure 3 shows the modifications to the pertinent variables for the sample numbers in our hypothetical dataset from Figure 2. Once these modifications have taken place it is possible to calculate larvae/10 m 2 or larvae/10 m 3 for each unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO (Figure 4) . The formula for larvae/10 m 2 is: ((MEAS + NOT_MEAS) * MULTIPLIER) * ((MAX_DEPTH/VOL_FILT) * 10)
where: ((MEAS + NOT_MEAS) * MULTIPLIER) = E xtrapolated total number of fish larvae for unique combination of VESSEL + C RUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO ((MAX_DEPTH/VOL_FILT) * 10) = The standard haul factor for a unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO Note: The 10 in the standard haul factor can be changed to any

multiplier. For example, 100 which will result in larvae/100 m 2
. The formula for larvae/ m 3 is : ((MEAS + NOT_MEAS) * MULTIPLIER) / (VOL_FILT) where: ((MEAS + NOT_MEAS) * MULT IPLIER) = Extrapolated total number of fish larvae for a unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO**Figure 2. Hypothetical minimum dataset showing data for three u** **nique sample numbers from a cruise.**

**VESSEL CRUISE_NO**  **P_STA_NO SAMPLE_NO**  **SAMP_STAT VOL_FILT**  **MAX_DEPTH CATALOG_NO**  **TAXONOMIC MEAS**  **NOT_MEAS ALIQUOT** 
4 145 41077 3115 2 100 100
4 145 41078 311 6 2 200 200
- 9
- 9 1/1
4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML20218
- 000 BOTHIDAE 2
- 9 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML20603
- 001 DECAPTEPUNCTA 2
- 9 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML21163
- 000 GOBIIDAE 2 13 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML21892
- 001 SCOMBERCAVALL 1
- 9 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML20329
- 000 SYACIUM 2 7 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML20867
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 10 0 1/2 4 145 41079 3117 1 100 50 SML22236
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 5 0 1/2 **Figure 3. Modifications to the pertinent variables for the sample numbers in our hypothetical dataset from**  **Figure 2 . VESSEL CRUISE and P_STA_NO not shown.**  **SAMPLE_NO SAMP_STAT**  **VOL_FILT MAX_DEPTH**  **CATALOG_NO TAXONOMIC**  **MEAS NOT_MEAS**  **ALIQUOT MULTIPLIER**  3115 2 100 100 0 0 1 3116 2 200 200 0 0 1/1 1 3117 1 100 50 SML20218
- 000 BOTHIDAE 2 0 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML20603
- 001 DECAPTEPUNCTA 2 0 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML21163
- 000 GOBIIDAE 2 13 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML21892
- 001 SCOMBERCAVALL 1 0 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML20329
- 000 SYACIUM 2 7 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML20867
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 10 0 1/2 2 3117 1 100 50 SML22236
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 5 0 1/2 2**Figure 4. Calculated larvae/10 m2 and larvae / m3 for each unique VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO +**

**SAMPLE_NO + CATALOG_NO for our hypothetical dataset from Figu** **re 3.**

**SAMPLE_NO SAMP_STAT**  **VOL_FILT MAX_DEPTH**  **CATALOG_NO TAXONOMIC**  **MEAS NOT_MEAS**  **ALIQUOT MULTIPLIER**  **TOTAL FISH SHF**  **LARVAE LARVAE**  **LARVAE 10 SQR METER**  **CUBIC METER**

3115 2 100 100 0 0 1 0 10 0 0

3116 2 200 200 0 0 1/1 1 0 10 0 0

3117 1 100 50 SML20218
- 000 BOTHIDAE 2 0 1/2 2 4 5 20 0.04 3117 1 100 50 SML20603
- 001 DECAPTEPUNCTA 2 0 1/2 2 4 5 20 0.04 3117 1 100 50 SML21163
- 000 GOBIIDAE 2 13 1/2 2 30 5 150 0.3 3117 1 100 50 SML21892
- 001 SCOMBERCAVALL 1 0 1/2 2 2 5 10 0.02 3117 1 100 50 SML20329
- 000 SYACIUM 2 7 1/2 2 18 5 90 0.18 3117 1 100 50 SML20867
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 10 0 1/2 2 20 5 100 0.2 3117 1 100 50 SML22236
- 000 LUTJANUCAMPEC 5 0 1/2 2 10 5 50 0.1VOL_FILT = Volume of water filtered for a unique combination of VESSEL + CRUISE_NO + P_STA_NO + SAMPLE_NO in cubic meters 

### Sorry this is an ong oing process and I have been redirected to another project. Please contact me as below for further details. David S. Hanisko Research Fisheries Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service Pascagoula Laboratory 3209 Frederic St. Pascagoula MS, 39568 Voice: 228
-762
-4591 x204 Fax: 228
-769
-9200 David.S.Hanisko@noaa.gov or David.S.Hanisko.atsea@noaa.gov