Jan 27, 2026

Field Collection of Fish Eggs Using CUFES 

This  protocol  is a draft, published without a DOI.
  • 1University of South Florida
AliciaGrace Marley
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Protocol Citation: Christopher Stallings, Ian Williams, AliciaGrace Marley 2026. Field Collection of Fish Eggs Using CUFES . protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/
License: This is an open access  protocol  distributed under the terms of the  Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: January 23, 2026
Last Modified: January 27, 2026
Protocol  Integer ID: 240809
Keywords: original fish egg collection method, fish egg sample, continuous underway fish egg sampler, field collection of fish egg, fish eggs along transect, fish egg, using cufe, laboratories for dna extraction, dna extraction, marine vessel, field collection
Funders Acknowledgements:
Florida Institute of Oceanography's RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program
Abstract
This method is used to collect fish eggs along transects while in transit on a marine vessel. Our lab has been using this method for two years with good results. It is adapted from the original fish egg collection method that uses the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler designed by David Checkley, and most recently, by NOAA SEAMAP. Once collected, fish egg samples are stable and can be safely transported back to land-based laboratories for DNA extraction and other analyses.
Materials
CUFES parts
  • CUFES
  • CUFES intake hose
  • CUFES output hose
  • Sample collection sink
  • Collection sink intake hose
  • Collection sink output hose
  • Electric seawater pump box
  • Water flow meter
  • Flow meter power cable
  • DC power supply box for flow meter
  • DC power supply box power cable
  • Spare motor
  • Spare speed reducer
  • Tool kit
Sample processing materials
  • 5 gal denatured 95% ethanol, Fisher Scientific Catalog #04-355-455
  • 500 20 mL glass collection vials, Fisher Scientific Catalog #03-341-25S
  • ≥500 vial cap labels, Shamrock Labels Catalog #SDL-50-1
  • ≥500 vial labels, sent from Glenn Zapfe at NOAA (original source unknown)
  • Angled sieve for collection sink (500 µm mesh)
  • Sieve cup for sample processing (500 µm mesh)
  • Spare angled sieve
  • Spare sieve cup
  • Forceps
  • Liquid cement to repair filters
  • Toothbrush to clean filters
  • Vial stand
  • Funnel to wash sample into vial
  • Ethanol wash bottle
  • Ethanol carboy bottle
  • Lab tape to mark ethanol fill line on carboy bottle
Data recording materials
  • Data sheets
  • Pencils
  • Laptop
  • Laptop power cord

Troubleshooting
Problem
Mesh on angled sieve or collection sieve detaches
Solution
Allow to dry, then use liquid cement to glue mesh back onto sieve. Allow glue to cure for 12 hours before use. Use spare sieve during this time.
Problem
Sample contents does not fit into single vial
Solution
Use multiple vials for sample. Distinguish the vials from this collection by adding ".1", ".2", etc. to the station ID (e.g. "B119.2.1," "B119.2.2," etc.)
Pre-Departure Preparation
Grease CUFES zerk fittings with marine grade grease
Clean CUFES egg basket, angled sieve, and sieve cup with toothbrush and vinegar
Print out new data sheets
Create Excel spreadsheet with the following column names and share with shift leads on cruise (ensure they have editing privileges)
  • Date
  • Station ID
  • Observers
  • Start Time (24 hr)
  • Start Latitude
  • Start Longitude
  • Start Depth (m)
  • Start Flow Rate (l/min)
  • Start Total Volume (m3)
  • End Time (24 hr)
  • End Latitude
  • End Longitude
  • End Depth (m)
  • End Flow Rate (l/min)
  • End Total Volume (m3)
  • Notes
  • Average Latitude
  • Average Longitude
Load and install CUFES onboard as shown



Departure Day Setup (after collection pole is mounted)
Connect flow meter to DC power supply
Attach flow meter power cables to DC power supply
  • Blue wire --> (-)
  • Brown wire --> (+)
  • White & black wires do not get connected



Plug DC power supply power cable into wall socket
Turn on DC power supply
Use dials on DC power supply to set power to ~0.14 A and ~15.93 V (does not need to be exact, but do not exceed 30 VDC)
Work with cruise technician to set up displays where data will be recorded
Display chart plotter with depth (m) and latitude/longitude shown in decimal degrees



Display planned route with ETA at the next station
Data Recording
Upon arrival at the first station...
Fill in date, station ID, observers, and starting data under each column in the data spreadsheet
Start 30 minute timer
  • If using cellphone to mark time, ensure it is not set to automatically change time zones, as the cruise track may cross into other time zones. This is important for data collection and ensuring science party members are awake for their shift.
  • If multiple people work the same shift, both members should set timers. It is not uncommon for one person to miss their timer alarm.
If the next station will be reached in under 30 minutes, do not start a new sample collection--wait to deploy angled collection sieve until the next station is reached
Sample Collection & Processing
Place angled sieve on collection sink
  • Ensure angled sieve is slid completely up the sink output sleeve
  • Ensure the weighted slider on top of the sink is pushed fully over to the side of the sink where the angled sieve is installed
After 30 minutes, remove sieve from the collection sink output
Rinse angled sieve contents into sieve cup using ship's flowthrough seawater, aiming to concentrate the sample contents along one inner edge of the sieve cup
Place funnel inside collection vial
Use ethanol wash bottle to rinse all sieve cup contents into funnel without overflowing the vial with ethanol. For high-volume samples, forceps can be gently used to supplement ethanol rinsing to transfer sample into vial.
Label vial label and place inside vial

FRONT

BACK

Label vial cap with the station ID and affix to vial cap
Screw on vial cap
Rinse off angled sieve, sieve cup, and funnel with flowthrough seawater
Reinstall angled sieve on collection sink output (unless fewer than 30 minutes remain until the next station)