Dataset: Ichthyoplankton density and plankton displacement volume data collected using NOAA SEAMAP Bongo Plankton Nets on the NSF RAPID Plankton Cruises in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico in 2017-2018

The Bongo Plankton Net was deployed according to the "NOAA SEAMAP Field Operations Manual for collection of data, Chapter V., National Marine Fisheries Service and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, October 2001, Revision No.4."

Target Fishing Depth as much of the water column as possible stopping 2-4m above the bottom at bottom depths <200m, and upper 200m at bottom depths >200m; ship speed 1.5-2.0 knots; target wire angle of 45°; winch speeds during pay out and retrieving according to Chapter V., Table A.

Nets were rinsed and processed on board and samples were preserved in 200 proof Ethanol (ETOH) according to NOAA SEAMAP Operations Manual upon retrieval of nets. After 24 hours, ETOH was exchanged with fresh ETOH. Plankton samples were stored in 1000ml plastic jars until processing in the Geist Early Life History Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi during 2017 and 2020. Total Zooplankton Displacement Volume was determined using a calibrated 1000ml measuring cylinder by subtracting the volume of ethanol without sample from the volume of ethanol with sample. The plankton sample was separated from ethanol using a concentrator sieve with a mesh size less than the net mesh size. Then the plankton sample was resuspended in Ethanol. Larval fish were picked under dissecting microscopes using feather steel tweezers. Every sample was looked through twice for quality check purposes.