Northwest Atlantic Plankton Observations from Continuous Recorder Survey

Plankton observations are collected using a Continuous Plankton Recorder along shipping routes in the Northwest Atlantic. The survey, partially supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is the longest-running marine ecological survey globally, with sampling initiated in the Irminger Sea in 1957. Data collection occurs nominally once per month along designated transect lines.

Use Cases

• Analyze year-to-year changes in plankton abundance across the Northwest Atlantic transect lines to study climate impacts.
• Model the geographical distribution of zooplankton and large phytoplankton along the E, MD, and Z shipping routes.
• Investigate seasonal cycles of plankton populations using time-series data from the long-running survey.
• Incorporate plankton observation data into ocean environmental status reporting for the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program.

Strengths

• Data originates from the longest-running and most geographically extensive marine ecological survey in the world.
• Sampling provides a multi-decade time series, with initial collection starting in 1957.
• Observations cover a large spatial area along multiple transect lines in the Northwest Atlantic.

Limitations

• Sampling experienced interruptions during the late 1970s and 1980s, creating gaps in the time series.
• The specific data volume (row count) and granularity of features (columns) are not provided in the input.
• Geographic coverage is limited to specific shipping routes (E, MD, and Z lines) in the Northwest Atlantic.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with sample collection and analysis led by the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey program at the Marine Biological Association of the UK.

Collection Method

Plankton (zooplankton and large phytoplankton) are collected using a Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) deployed along container ship transects.

Time Range

Sampling began in 1957 in the Irminger Sea and continues to the present with monthly frequency along transects, despite some historical interruptions.

Freshness

Data is updated periodically, with a last recorded update in March 2026.

Geography

Northwest Atlantic, specifically along shipping routes from Reykjavik, Iceland to St. John's, NL (Z line), and between St. John's and the New England Coast along the Scotian Shelf (E and MD lines).