NCEAS

The Bay Study was initiated to determine the effects of freshwater outflow on the distribution and abundance fish, caridean shrimp, and Cancer crabs of San Francisco Estuary. This data set contains otter and midwater trawl, and ringnet sampling from 1980-2006. Three types of sampling surveys were conducted: open water, beach seine, and ringnet. The open water survey began in February 1980. It collected samples monthly from 35 stations from South Bay to the Sacramento River at Sherman Island and the San Joaquin River at Antioch. Seven stations were added in 1988, 4 in 1991, and 6 in 1994. Data from the additional stations were only used for channel vs. shoal comparisons. The beach seine survey started in August 1980 at 27 shore stations located primarily in San Francisco and San Pablo bays but also with stations in the delta at Antioch and Sherman Island. To reduce expenditures the beach seine survey ended in December 1986. In May 1982, a monthly ringnet survey for crabs began at 9 stations in San Francisco and San Pablo bays and in Carquinez Strait. In 1990, sampling frequency was restricted to July to December and 3 new stations were added. In 1994, 5 stations were added and the 4 stations south of Angel Island were dropped.