Dataset: MOCNESS and environmental data from R/V Sally Ride cruises SR2406-SR2408 in the Gulf of California in May 2024

In May 2024, the R/V Sally Ride cruises SR2406-SR2408 were conducted in the Gulf of California. The MOCNESS tow nets were deployed from May 4th to May 18th on cruise legs SR2407 and SR2408. MOCNESS sampling protocols included the standard vertical 0-1000 m day night pairs as well as unpaired shorter interval tows (ranging in depths focused on 450-200 m) to capture a more detailed vertical resolution. Finally, a subset of tows were conducted in a horizontal fashion where the net was maintained at a constant depth +/- 5 m to sample communities across midwater oxygen features.

After collection different samples were preserved in formalin for later Zooscan analysis, dried as five size fractionated biomass (200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000) samples, or preserved in ethanol for metabarcoding analysis.