The data set consists of two products. The first product are maps that represent fish average densities collected by active hydroacoustic survey technique in the water column along a transect for each monthly sample. These data are also compiled by location by year. The fish density data is plotted over a bathymetric map. The second product are Excel spreadsheets with a summary of the integration of fish echoes over a sampling period that is used to produce the first product by location.

Scientists collected acoustic fisheries data in mid-water depths approximately 30 to 1000 meters. Fishery acoustics data will be used to characterize broad-scale fish abundance, biomass, and utilization patterns, as well as to locate and document fish spawning aggregations.

These data represent density per square meter calculated from counts of fin fish made by divers on fixed transects on permanent subtidal monitoring sites around San Nicolas Island between 1981 and 2019. Fish were counted on seven sites, each of which had five midwater and five benthic fish transects. Six of the sites were first sampled in 1980, one additional was added in 1987. The sites have usually been monitored twice per year, most often in October and April. The midwater and bottom portions of each transect were sampled separately. Midwater transects were 50 m long by 5 m wide and encompassed the entire water column except the bottom 2 m (250 square meters). Bottom transects were 50 m long by 2 m wide and included only the bottom 2 m of the water column (100 square meters). The list of species counted was expanded over time as new species were encountered and the data here include all 66 species counted.

These datasets show acoustically detected fish densities throughout the Caribbean ocean. NOAA/NCCOS collected these datasets to help characterize broad-scale fish abundance, biomass, and understand temporal behavior. Acoustic data was collected aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster using 120-7C splitbeam transducer during cruise # NF08-01, NF09-01, NF10-03, NF11-01, NF12-01, NF13-01, and NF14-01. The hull mounted Simrad 120-7C transducer was calibrated to factory standards and environmental parameters where applied during acquisition. Data was collected using 128 microsecond pulse length and had a varied ping rate due to triggering from Reson 7125 multibeam system. The resulting data layers show geo-referenced fish densities per 100 square meter intervals. The fish densities have been divided into three size classes, small fish (<11cm), medium fish (11cm-29cm), and large fish (>29cm).

In conjunction with the Vieques Sound and Virgin Passage Transport Study, the USVI larval distribution and supply study completed its fourth research cruise during February 16 - March 15, 2010. Ichthyoplankton sampling yielded 330 samples (231 MOCNESS and 99 bongo) from 156 stations for a total of 61,611 larvae collected. MOCNESS (Multiple Opening and Closing Environmental Sampling System) samples were collected from 100 m to the surface at 25 m increments, while bongo samples were collected from just below surface (subsurface) for 10-minute intervals at each station. Samples collected using bongo tows for stations surrounding St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix have been successfully identified to taxonomic family level or beyond for a total of 8,107 larvae. It is too early to provide approximate percentage or assemblage compositions, however thus far, 71 families have been successfully identified. Visual identification is ongoing utilizing the most updated taxonomic keys available. A subsample from selected families of interest will be identified using genetic techniques. Coral Reef Ecosystem Research (CRER) Larval fish data collected during NOAA Ship Nancy Foster cruises NF1001 and NF1002 February 16 - March 15, 2010 Excel Table 1) Table with detailed tow data from Bongo net Excel Table 2) Table with detailed tow data from MOCNESS net For further information regarding these samples, please contact: Dr. John Lamkin (john.lamkin@noaa.gov) or Dr. Trika Gerard (trika.gerard@noaa.gov) at NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC/ELH in Miami, Florida

This fish and benthic composition database is the result of a multifaceted effort described below. The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrate (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on associated benthic composition parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US states and territories. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has been conducting research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and 2001, respectively. It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas. It is also important that BB work closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies. Recognizing this, BB has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the underlying variables determining species distribution. The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models. Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations. Sites are randomly selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass area. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and benthic composition information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, BB is able to model and map species level and community level information. These protocols are standardized throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends between locations. Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to occur in the seascape, the BB is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable for establishing MPAs. Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions.

This map service is a synthesis of the baseline characterization of kelp and shallow rock ecosystems inside and outside of several North Central Coast (NCC) MPAs at the time of their implementation. MPAs in the NCC study region (NCCSR) were implemented on May 1, 2010. Baseline characterizations were conducted by the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) between August and October of 2010 and 2011. Visual SCUBA surveys took place at sites within MPAs and at their associated reference sites (sites outside MPA) to establish quantitative baselines for measuring future MPA effects (i.e., changes in community structure due to MPA implementation). This particular map service focuses on PISCOs characterization of fish communities aimed at estimating fish densities and fish size distribution. Refer to the following link for specifics regarding PISCOs “fish survey design” and “fish sampling methodology”: http://www.piscoweb.org/research/science-by-discipline/ecosystem-monitoring/kelp-forest-monitoring/subtidal-sampling-protoco#FishSurvey.Surveys for baseline characterization of kelp forest communities focused on the following MPAs: Point Arena SMR; Sea Lion Cove SMCA; Saunders Reef SMCA; Del Mar SMR; Stewarts Point SMR/SMCA; and Salt Point SMCA. From Point Arena to Salt Point, 35 cells (fundamental sampling units) were sampled via fish transects (inside and outside of MPAs) using stratified sampling across shore and at various depths in the kelp forests (5m, 10m, 15m and 20m). Utilizing PISCOs GPS coordinates of the 35 study cells (points), and details from PISCOs methods (see link above), we created estimated footprints of the areas in which these transects were surveyed (the 35 fundamental sampling units). From there, we also estimated the aggregated site polygons (aggregate sampling units) that comprise either an MPA or an MPA reference site; this resulted in 12 new polygons that were representative of the kelp and shallow rock ecosystems surv

This map service is a synthesis of the baseline characterization of kelp and shallow rock ecosystems inside and outside of several North Central Coast (NCC) MPAs at the time of their implementation. MPAs in the NCC study region (NCCSR) were implemented on May 1, 2010. Baseline characterizations were conducted by the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) between August and October of 2010 and 2011. Visual SCUBA surveys took place at sites within MPAs and at their associated reference sites (sites outside MPA) to establish quantitative baselines for measuring future MPA effects (i.e., changes in community structure due to MPA implementation). This particular map service focuses on PISCOs characterization of fish communities aimed at estimating fish densities and fish size distribution. Refer to the following link for specifics regarding PISCOs “fish survey design” and “fish sampling methodology”: http://www.piscoweb.org/research/science-by-discipline/ecosystem-monitoring/kelp-forest-monitoring/subtidal-sampling-protoco#FishSurvey.Surveys for baseline characterization of kelp forest communities focused on the following MPAs: Point Arena SMR; Sea Lion Cove SMCA; Saunders Reef SMCA; Del Mar SMR; Stewarts Point SMR/SMCA; and Salt Point SMCA. From Point Arena to Salt Point, 35 cells (fundamental sampling units) were sampled via fish transects (inside and outside of MPAs) using stratified sampling across shore and at various depths in the kelp forests (5m, 10m, 15m and 20m). Utilizing PISCOs GPS coordinates of the 35 study cells (points), and details from PISCOs methods (see link above), we created estimated footprints of the areas in which these transects were surveyed (the 35 fundamental sampling units). From there, we also estimated the aggregated site polygons (aggregate sampling units) that comprise either an MPA or an MPA reference site; this resulted in 12 new polygons that were representative of the kelp and shallow rock ecosystems surv

This project ensures that the existing data from previous fishery independent surveys can be combined with data collected under new methodology, ensuring preservation of long-time series reef fish datasets in the US Caribbean. Specifically, this archived dataset are the site level fish abundance and size observations collected simultaneously by one transect diver and a pair of stationary point count divers at survey sites in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These collection methods represent the pre- National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) belt-transect survey methodology and the currently used Reef Visual Census (RVC) survey methodology, respectively. More information about the methodologies can be found (Jeffrey 2019 & CRCP 2022). In the U.S. Caribbean, the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program began in 2012. Initially, the belt transect method was used for fish surveys, but then transitioned to the RVC method in all the U.S. Caribbean by 2016. This dataset is the field samples collected in order to properly calibrate belt transect data to RVC data.