Raw (calibrated as per Demer et al., 2015) Simrad EK60 echosounder data (18, 38 and 120 kHz; Kongsberg Maritime, Norway) collected annually in August and September between 2011 and 2016 as part of the Barents Sea Ecosystem Survey (Eriksen et al., 2018) were obtained from the Norwegian Marine Data Centre (Institute of Marine Research, Norway). The data were used to evaluate the StrathE2EPolar (an end-to-end food web model incorporating ice-dependencies to simulate climate-fisheries interactions in the Barents Sea) model. Echosounder data were calibrated and processed (noise removed). Nautical-area-scattering coefficient (NASC, m2 nmi-2: average received echo energy over a given depth range scaled up to a square nautical mile) values were computed between 15 m (maximum vessel draft plus echosounder near-field for all surveys, vessels and frequencies) and 400 m (lower extent of StrathE2EPolar model domain). NASC values at 18 kHz were used as a proxy for fish biomass. NASC values at 120 kHz and where NASC 120 kHz > 38 kHz > 18 kHz were used as a proxy for macro-zooplankton biomass. NASC values were binned into a 0.5 by 0.5-degree grid and averaged to map the spatial distribution of fish and macro-zooplankton. Funded by NERC project Microbes to Megafauna Modelling of Arctic Seas (MiMeMo), NE/R012571/1 (lead), and NE/R012679/1.

Acoustic backscatter data were collected on board the RRS James Clark Ross during cruise JR19001 on 10/12/2019 in Stromness Harbour and South Georgia. Data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echosounder at 38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz. The EK60 was calibrated on 09/12/2019 in Stromness Harbour, South Georgia. More information about the calibration can be found in the Cruise Report for JR19001. This work was carried in the frame of the Polar Ocean Ecosystem TimeSeries - Western Core Box (POETS-WCB) project.

Acoustic backscatter data were collected on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough during polar science trials 2023 (cruise SD025) on 25/02/2023 in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Data were collected using a Simrad EK80 echosounder at 18, 38, 70, 120, 200 and 333 kHz. The EK80 was calibrated on 10/03/2023 in the Weddell Sea. This work was supported by NERC core funding to BAS.

Acoustic backscatter data were collected on board the RRS James Clark Ross during cruise JR17002 on 20/01/2018 in Bransfield Strait and the caldera of Deception Island. Data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echosounder at 38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz. The EK60 was calibrated on 07/01/2018 in Stromness Harbour, South Georgia. More information about the calibration can be found in the Cruise Report for JR17002. This work was carried in the frame of the Polar Ocean Ecosystem TimeSeries - Western Core Box (POETS-WCB) project.

Water column acoustic data collected in the Scotia Sea (from 2013-11-15 to 2013-12-18) during cruise JR291. Multi-frequency (38,120 and 200 kHz) acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder. The dataset comprises of calibrated and processed 38 kHz volume backscattering strength (Sv, dB re 1m-1). Data processing was undertaken using Echoview and Matlab. Processed netCDF data files are made available as part of the NERC Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA) and the EU MESOPP project.

Water column acoustic data collected in the Scotia Sea (from 2009-12-12 to 2009-12-19) during cruise JR230. Multi-frequency (38,120 and 200 kHz) acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder. The dataset comprises of calibrated and processed 38 kHz volume backscattering strength (Sv, dB re 1m-1). Data processing was undertaken using Echoview and Matlab. Processed netCDF data files are made available as part of the NERC Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA) and the EU MESOPP project.

Water column acoustic data collected in the Scotia Sea (from 2012-11-15 to 2012-12-11) during cruise JR280. Multi-frequency (38,120 and 200 kHz) acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder. The dataset comprises of calibrated and processed 38 kHz volume backscattering strength (Sv, dB re 1m-1). Data processing was undertaken using Echoview and Matlab. Processed netCDF data files are made available as part of the NERC Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA) and the EU MESOPP project.

Water column acoustic data collected in the Scotia Sea (from 2009-03-12 to 2009-04-18) during cruise JR200. Multi-frequency (38,120 and 200 kHz) acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder. The dataset comprises of calibrated and processed 38 kHz volume backscattering strength (Sv, dB re 1m-1). Data processing was undertaken using Echoview and Matlab. Processed netCDF data files are made available as part of the NERC Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA) and the EU MESOPP project.

This is a mixed data set held in six excel files, containing processed acoustic backscatter data, mesopelagic fish abundance and swimbladder contents from night time sampled RMT25 nets, plus net catch data for all fauna combined and dominant mesopelagic fish in night time RMT25. Acoustic backscatter data is from 6 latitudinal acoustic transects spanning the Scotia Sea, obtained during cruises JR161, JR177, JR200, JR15002 and JR15004 (two transects). Data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder at 38 kHz. The EK60 was run continuously between Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Signy (South Orkney Islands). Fish data was collected using RMT25 night time net samples from 5 cruises JR161, JR177, JR200, JR15004 and JR16003. The data set focuses on 11 species of mesopelagic fish Bathylagus species, Cyclothone species, Electrona antarctica, Electrona carlsbergi, Gymnoscopelus braueri, Gymnoscopelus fraseri, Gymnoscopelus nicholsi, Krefftichthys anderssoni, Protomyctophum bolini, Protomyctophum tenisoni and Notolepis species. Abundance and proportion data was obtained for combined fish species, and identified by net tow and latitude. Biomass for all fauna and the 11 fish species was calculated from RMT25 night catch log data. Myctophid gas presence absence was determined from a combination of dissection, Computed Tomography and soft tissue X-ray. Funding was provided by the NERC grants NE/L002434/1 and bas010017. This data is embargoed until August 2019.

Water column acoustic data collected in the Atlantic Ocean (from 2014-09-27 to 2014-11-02) during cruise JR303. Multi-frequency (38,120 and 200 kHz) acoustic data were collected using a Simrad EK60 echo sounder. The dataset comprises of calibrated and processed 38 kHz volume backscattering strength (Sv, dB re 1m-1). Data processing was undertaken using Echoview and Matlab. Processed netCDF data files are made available as part of the NERC Southern Ocean Network of Acoustics (SONA) and the EU MESOPP project.