This dataset contains paired net-based and optical-imaging observations of meso- and macrozooplankton collected in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (45–67°S, 10–42°W) during RV Polarstern expedition PS133/1 in austral spring 2022. Net samples were collected with a Rectangular Midwater Trawl (RMT-8; mouth area 8 m², 4.5 mm mesh; 0–600 m) and an Isaacs-Kidd Midwater Trawl (IKMT; mouth area 2.5 m², 0.5 mm mesh; upper ~200 m) as double-oblique tows, yielding taxon-resolved volumetric abundances (individuals per 1000 m³) at 14 stations. In situ optical observations were obtained with JellyCam, a low-light imaging system mounted on the ROSINA (Remotely Observing in situ Camera for Aggregates) platform, providing depth-resolved (1-m) counts of 12 taxonomic groups at six stations, each profiled with a paired downcast and upcast. The data were generated to quantify the systematic underestimation of fragile gelatinous zooplankton by net-based sampling relative to optical imaging, and to compare community composition and vertical structure across gears. Salpa thompsoni size and developmental-stage data from the same net tows are archived separately (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.973501); the ship CTD-Rosette physical oceanography is archived in doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.962314. Derived nearest-CTD environmental values matched to each biological sample are provided as supplementary material with the associated article rather than in this dataset.