Distribution and abundance of pelagic organisms observed by PELAGIOS during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM49

Pelagic observations were collected via horizontal video transects using the pelagic in situ observation system PELAGIOS from 50-1000 m during MSM49. The collected video was annotated using the video and annotation reference system (VARS) developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. In total more than 40 hours of video were collected and annotated, and 43 taxonomic groups were annotated, mostly consisting of gelatinous zooplankton. The data consists of counts of taxonomic groups (>1 cm) linked to location and depth in the Cape Verde region. These counts are converted to abundance data (ind./m3).