Macrozooplankton at the Barents Sea Polar Front in August 2023

Study area This dataset includes the results of sampling at six stations along a transect in the western Barents Sea. Some stations were trawled twice at different depths .

Time coverage The samples were collected between 09 January 2024 and 11 January 2024.

Sampling Nine macrozooplankton samples were collected with a Tucker trawl (1 m2 opening and 1000 μm mesh size). Tows were on average 10 minutes at the target depth and at ca. 2 knots. The targeted depth at each station was determined from the sound scattering layer identified in the echogram from the vessel's echosounder.

Sample analysis Tucker trawl samples were analyzed per station, and taxa were enumerated and dried at 60 C° for at least 48 hours, in pre-weighted recipients for dry weight measurements post cruise. The obtained abundances were standardized and converted to catch per unit effort, expressed in milligrams per cubic meter.