Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During NF-16-01-PR

Mapping Essential Fish Habitat in the US Caribbean to Inform MPA Management (NF-16-01-PR, EK60). Scientists will collect high resolution multibeam and acoustic fisheries data in mid-water
depths approximately 10 to 2000 meters so as to continue to characterize seafloor
habitats within all U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. The objective of this
project is to collect a multibeam bathymetry dataset with 100% seafloor ensonification,
along with multibeam backscatter suitable for seafloor characterization. Fishery acoustics
data will be collected to characterize broad-scale fish abundance, biomass, and utilization
patterns, as well as to locate and document fish spawning aggregations. Multibeam data
will be collected to conform to IHO Order 1 (<100m) and Order 2 (>100m) accuracy
standards. The strategies developed for each survey area will take into account the
minimum depths, general bathymetry, and time allotment. The delineation and
identification of seafloor habitats will be assisted by the use of a moderate-depth
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The vehicle has video and frame camera capability
to depths of 300 meters and will be used for transect sampling within areas mapped
during this mission. Two Slocum Glider G2 will be deployed during the duration of the
project to collect oceanographic data and passive fish acoustics in the study region.
  • Cite as: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA. 2016. 'EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During NF-16-01-PR'. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V57D2SFH [access date]
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.wcd:NF-16-01-PR_EK60
Search Data
Distribution Formats
  • Simrad EK60 raw (.raw) format (Version: 1)
    • File Specification: Kongsberg/Simrad .raw files are generated by ME70, EK60 or ES60 instruments. They contain power and optionally angular position data with each beam/frequency identified by an independent channel. See the Simrad interface specification manual for further information. The .wcd files are generated by Kongsberg EM302 or EM122 instruments. See Kongsberg documentation for more information.
Ordering Instructions Contact the NCEI Water Column Sonar Data Manager to order data.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Water Column Sonar Data Manager
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
(303) 497-4742
wcd.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2016-04-07T12:06:12 to 2016-04-26T10:23:49
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326Vertical Datum: Unknown
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -66.63827
East: -64.85062
South: 17.81127
North: 18.60838
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
    Publication Dates
    • creation: 2016-04-07
    • publication: 2017-06-22
    Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
    Data Update Frequency Not planned
    Purpose The purpose of the cruise will be to collect swath bathymetry, acoustical backscatter, ROV optical validation, fishery acoustics, and Slocum Glider deployments within coastal waters of St. Croix and St. Thomas, USVI.
    Use Limitations
    • These data are considered raw and have not been subjected to the NOAA's quality control or quality assurance procedures. They are released for limited public use as preliminary data to be used only with appropriate caution. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
    • Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
    Dataset Citation
    • Cite as: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA. 2016. 'EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During NF-16-01-PR'. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V57D2SFH [access date]
    Cited Authors
    • NCCOS
    Principal Investigators
    • Chris Taylor
      National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
    • Tim Battista
      National Centers Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
    Custodians
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    Publishers
    • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
    Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
    • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics > Acoustic Scattering
    • Earth Science > Oceans > Aquatic Sciences > Fisheries
    • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics
    • Earth Science > Biosphere > Ecosystems > Marine Ecosystems > Pelagic
    • Earth Science > Biosphere > Ecosystems > Marine Ecosystems
    • Earth Science > Biosphere > Ecosystems > Marine Ecosystems > Benthic
    • Earth Science > Biosphere > Ecosystems > Aquatic Ecosystems
    • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
    • Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Seafloor Topography
    Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
    Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
    • In Situ/Laboratory Instruments > Profilers/Sounders > Acoustic Sounders > WCMS > Water Column Mapping System
    Place keywords International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Sea Area ("Limits of Oceans and Seas" publication S-23)
    • Caribbean Sea
    Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
    • Vertical Location > Water Column
    Use Constraints
    • Cite as: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA. 2016. 'EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During NF-16-01-PR'. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V57D2SFH [access date]
    • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Access Constraints
    • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
    • Resource may not be available for up to one year after initial collection.
    Fees
    • Free
    Lineage information for: series
    Processor
    • National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
    Acquisition Information (collection)
    Instrument
    • Simrad EK60
    • Kongsberg EM1002
    • Reson SeaBat 7125
    • Simrad EK60
    • Furuno FE700
    • Knudsen CHIRP 3200 Echosounder
    • RM Young 61202V
    • RM Young 41382VC
    • RM Young 05106
    • SBE 45 Micro TSG
    • SBE 911plus CTD
    • SBE 43
    • SBE 18
    • SBE 38
    • SBE SeaCat 21
    • SBE 19plus V2
    • Ocean Surveyor ADCP
    • Turner 10AU Fluorometer
    • Seapoint SCF
    • Seapoint Turbidity Meter
    • POS/MV 320
    Platform
    • Nancy Foster (NF)
    Operation
    • NF-16-01-PR_EK60
    Last Modified: 2020-06-03
    For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov