Benthic polychaetes were sampled on the NEG shelf between July - August 1992 with the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Polar Sea, and between May and August 1992 with USCGC Polar Sea and R/V Polarstern (ARKVIII/2). Boxcorers (US NEL-Mark III, 0.25 m²) were deployed in 2-5 replicates per station and from each boxcore 3 replicate subcores (6 cm diameter x 15 cm deep), subsequently sieved over a 500 µm mesh sieve, fixed with 6 % buffered formaldehyde and stained with Rose Bengal. Individuals were identified to family level, or the lowest possible taxonomic level, and counted. Individuals were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and counted.