We created merged bathymetry surfaces segmented in GeoTiff format by resolution and depth within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) from more than 20 multibeam mapping surveys. These bathymetry data were collected between 1998 and 2022 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and Ocean Exploration Trust (OET). Bathymetry data collected by institutions outside of NOAA are reference to overlapping NOAA hydrographic surveys using an average depth difference correction. The merged bathymetric surface resolutions varied by depth from 2x2m in <40m, 4x4m in 36 to 80 m, 8x8m in 72 to 160m, 16x16m in 144 to 320m and to 24x24m in >300m. They can be used to create high-resolution, nearly continuous coverage benthic habitat maps within the CINMS.

Underwater video and photographs were acquired between 28 July 2016 and 9 August 2016 at nearly 600 sites throughout the lagoon to document the presence and percent-cover of benthic substrate and cover types. Two sets of independent data were collected, one for Ground Validation (n = 292) and the other for Accuracy Assessment (n = 273). Abundances for five substrate and seven cover types were estimated to the nearest 10% in real time. These presence/absence data were used to create and evaluate the accuracy of the habitat predictions and map in Saipan Lagoon. For complete descriptions of these datasets and the methods used to generate them, please see: Kendall et al. (2017).

Multibeam bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data collected from NOAA Ship Nancy Foster from 2020-09-07 to 2020-09-16 in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This cruise designation was originally scheduled as NF-20-01, but due to rescheduling as a result of COVID-19, the mission was designated as NF-20-08. Data were collected using a Kongsberg EM2040 multibeam echosounder. Survey depths vary from 41m to 160m in the Dry Tortugas area. Transit data were also collected from Charleston, South Carolina and south along the eastern coast of Florida. Data are available in 2x2, 4x4, and 8x8 meter resolutions. During the field mission, a Mohawk 18 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), operated by the University of North Carolina Undersea Vehicles Program collected HD photo and ground validation video. Video data is not included with this dataset.

This project is a cooperative effort among the National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment; the University of Hawaii; BAE Systems Spectral Solutions; and Analytical Laboratories of Hawaii, LLC. The goal of the work was to map the coral reef habitats of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by visual interpretation and manual delineation of IKONOS satellite imagery.A two tiered habitat classification system was tested and implemented in this work. It integrates geomorphologic reef structure and biological cover into a single scheme and subsets each into detail. It also includes thirteen zones. Benthic features were mapped that covered an area of 45.2 square kilometers of which 4.4 were unconsolidated sediment and 40.9 were coral reef and hard bottom. Of the coral reef and hard bottom class, 59.9% is colonized by greater than 10% coral cover.

Multibeam and acoustic backscatter data collected from NOAA Ship Nancy Foster from 2021-03-18 to 2021-04-10. Data was collected using a Kongsberg EM2040. Bathymetry grids were created using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software, and corrected to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). Backscatter mosaics were created using Fledermaus Geocoder Toolbox (FMGT). Data were acquired and processed to meet IHO Order 1 specifications. Survey depths vary from 40m to 190m. Data are available in one and two meter resolutions. During the field mission, a Mohawk 18 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), operated by the University of North Carolina Undersea Vehicles Program collected HD photo and ground validation video. Video data is not included with this dataset.

This shapefile denotes the location of underwater photos and/or video that were collected by NOAA scientists using a Spectrum Phantom S2 ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Photos and/or video were collected between 02/25/2008 and 03/08/2008 along 28 transects around Isla de Mona in Puerto Rico and west of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in the U.S. Caribbean. These photos and videos will be manually classified into different habitat classes, and integrated with the abiotic data collected by the acoustic sonar (sound navigation and ranging) systems to develop a benthic habitat map for the U.S. Caribbean. Habitat maps describe the location of habitat features (in relation to the shoreline), their physical composition and the types of organisms that colonize them. Fundamentally, habitat maps provide critical information about the extent, health and composition of marine resources, which is vital for communicating information about the distribution and abundance of species to resource managers, scientists and the public. Habitat maps also support an increasing number of landscape ecology studies, as well as the process of marine spatial planning, including the design and evaluation of marine protected areas (MPAs).

Multibeam and acoustic backscatter data collected from NOAA Ship Nancy Foster from 2022-03-14 to 2022-03-31. The majority of these data were collected using a Kongsberg EM710, with the most inshore portion collected using a Kongsberg EM2040. Bathymetry grids were created using Qimera, and corrected to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). Backscatter mosaics were created using Fledermaus Geocoder Toolbox (FMGT). Data were acquired and processed to meet IHO Order 1 specifications. Survey depths vary from 10m to over 1800m. EM710 data are available at 8m, 16m and 32m resolution. EM2040 data are available at 2m resolution. During the field mission, a Mohawk 18 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), operated by the University of North Carolina Undersea Vehicles Program collected HD photo and ground validation video. Video and photo data are not included with this dataset.