Abundance and biomass of Calanoides natalis in the Benguela Current System during cruises AFR258 (2009) and D356 (2010)

Abundance and biomass data of the copepod Calanoides natalis were derived from vertical Multinet hauls with a mesh size of 200-300 µm. C. natalis was sampled in December 2009 (FRS Africana, AFR258) and September/October 2010 (RRS Discovery, D356) in the northern Benguela Current System from 17°S to 23°S. Several transects from neritic to offshore (up to 200 km from coast) stations were analysed. Maximum sampling depth was either close to the seafloor (neritic and shelf break stations) or 1000 m for the oceanic stations. In case of the FRS Africana 258 cruise maximum sampling depth was 700 m. Species and stages were identified and enumerated separately. Adult females, males and copepodite stage 5 (C5) and 4 (C4) were included in the abundance/biomass calculations. Abundance is expressed as number of individuals per m3 and per m2 and biomass as mg dry mass (DM) per m**2.