Download the complete CalCOFI Hydrographic Database (Spring 1949 - Fall 2019) in the following formats. Finalized data are imported into a Microsoft Access Database, from which CSV, XML and SQL files are generated. Click here to see descriptions of the column names used for the Cast and Bottle tables.

MS Access	CSV Files
XML	SQL

 

CalCOFI hydrographic and plankton data are distributed to the community for use without restriction. Unless otherwise noted, these data can be considered final data which have been evaluated using CalCOFI data quality control procedures. Methods for data collection and processing are summarized in each cruise's Data Report Introduction. To see the methods used on specific cruises, refer to the cruise's Data Report pdf page. Preliminary data from recent cruises for which the data processing is not complete can generally be made available to those programs for which there is an operational need. Refer to the Contacts page for addressing such requests. We ask that these preliminary data not be published or redistributed.

Acknowledgements

CalCOFI research is supported by contributions from the participating agencies: The California State Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA,National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and the University of California, Integrative Oceanography Division at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD.

Since 1949, hydrographic and biological data of the California Current System have been collected on CalCOFI cruises. The 70+ year hydrographic time-series includes temperature, salinity, oxygen and phosphate observations. In 1961, nutrient analysis expanded to include silicate, nitrate and nitrite; in 1973, chlorophyll was added; in 1984, C14 primary productivity incubations were added; and in 1993, CTD profiling began. Please refer to the Data Edits & Updates page for changes to data files or formats. For data questions, availability, & metadata inquiries contact CalCOFI's data managers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

>> Hydrographic Data - 1949 to Latest Update - tabulated bottle data from specific depths

CalCOFI Data Reports

Hydrographic Bottle

Primary Productivity

Macrozooplankton

Spatial Pattern Figures

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* Latest update: Through cruise 201806  Hydrographic database query form 1949-2018 is now online

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Database Ready Files

MS Access MDB

CSV - Btl / Cast Files

XML - Btl / Cast Files

SQL - Btl / Cast Files

14 Table - 50 MB Zip •

MDB Output - 38 MB Zip •

MDB Output - 50 MB Zip •

MDB Output - 45 MB Zip •

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* Latest update: Through cruise 201806.  Column Definitions for Cast and Bottle Tables

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IEH Archive Files

IEH 128 Column

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* Latest update: Through cruise 201611

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>> CTD Data - 1992 to Latest Update - 1m Bin-averaged CTD sensor data; SBE processed & bottle-corrected

CTD Zip Files

CTD Data

Data Descriptions

SBE Formats

CalCOFI Formats

latest final 1806 •

final •

final asc - hdr •

final csv-plot •

latest prel. 1907 •

preliminary •

preliminary asc - hdr •

preliminary csv-plot •

browse all •

cast •

cast •

metadata •

* Latest update: 21Aug2019: CalCOFI 1907BHCast Data; 1907BH preliminary CTD+Bottle; 1806SR FinalQC bottle-corrected CTD data & plots posted

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>> Net Sampling - Bongo Net Displacement Volumes

Online Databases

MacroZooplankton Biomass Data

CCE-LTER Data Zoo

Ichthyoplankton on ERDDAP

ZooDB

Pelagic Invert DB

Wet displacement volume from starboard side of Bongo Net•

CCE-LTER CalCOFI Data •

Ichthyoplankton Data •

Zooplankton Database•

Collection Search Form•

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download, plot, filter •

SWFSC •

Mark Ohman Lab •

SIO •

* Latest update: all zooplankton data through 201607, 1701-1704, 1804

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>> Underway Sampling - Surface Data collected during transits; ADCP Acoustic Data; Visual Observations

Underway Data

ADCP, TSG & Meteorological

CUFES

Mammal Observations

Bird Observations

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SWFSC-FRD Egg Maps •

Census •

Census •

Information •

Information •

Census Log •

Census Log •

* Latest update: 201810

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Data Usage and Distribution Policy
CalCOFI hydrographic and plankton data are distributed to the community for use without restriction. Unless otherwise noted, these data can be considered final data which have been evaluated using CalCOFI data quality control procedures. Methods for data collection and processing are summarized in CalCOFI Data Reports introduction. To see the introduction or methods used on specific cruises, refer to the Data Report PDF page. Preliminary data from recent cruises for which the data processing is not complete are often made available. We ask that these preliminary data not be published or redistributed.

CalCOFI Ancillary Program Data Policy

Policy:  

Scientific programs or parties using any of the currently quarterly CalCOFI cruises as a research platform (i.e. ancillary programs) to collect samples or data are required to submit data collected on such cruises or derived from samples collected on such cruises to a publicly accessible database within 2 years of data generation.  This database is by default available on the calcofi.com website.  Samples that are analyzed non-destructively should be preserved and archived.  

Implementation:  

Cruise Plan:  Scientific parties desiring to use CalCOFI cruises as a research platform must submit a cruise plan to the SIO CalCOFI group supervisor or designate. This plan must 1. outline ship time and ship resources requirements, laboratory space requirements and chemicals to be brought aboard the ship, 2. must describe in detail samples to be collected and experiments to be carried out and 3. must describe in detail the data that are to be generated at sea and data derived from samples collected at sea and analyzed ashore. The data to be archived should be described in detail and the database where data will be archived should be identified.  In the case of samples whose analysis is not expected immediately after the cruise, a time frame for the analysis and the deposition of the data must be given.  This cruise plan will be posted on the CalCOFI website.

CalCOFI Ancillary Program Sampling Plan PDF Form       |       CalCOFI Ancillary Program Sampling Plan PDF Form Example

Data:  Archived data shall include all the primary data typically used to generate scientific publications or reports.  Raw instrument records, e.g. readings of voltage or acoustic recording, are not desired, rather derived products from these, e.g. pH or abundances of organisms, are.  Data to be submitted shall not be exclusively of the aggregate form, e.g. averages over a large number of samples or stations.  Data to be submitted shall be adequately documented as to location, time (GMT), station, cast, Niskin bottle number and methods used to acquire and derive these.

Samples:  Samples collected on a CalCOFI cruise which undergo non-destructive analysis must be submitted to an appropriate sample depository (e.g. Scripps collections or other academic or public collections) within 2 years of sample analysis.

Students:  Exceptions to this 2-year data policy can be granted upon request to students in case that on-line publication of data collected by these might compromise their work.

Publications:  Publications derived from work carried out on CalCOFI cruises must explicitly acknowledge CalCOFI and references to these publications must be submitted to CalCOFI after publication.

Scope of the Data Policy:  The data policy also applies retroactively to data and samples collected on CalCOFI cruises in the past.  Non-compliance with this policy will result in the suspension of the cruse participation privileges of the respective parties.