Search Help Show/Hide Menu
Summary
Item Identification
Keywords
Physical Location
Data Set Info
Support Roles
Extents
Access Info
Distribution Info
URLs
Tech Environment
Data Quality
Data Management
Lineage
Acquisition Info
Child Items
Related Items
Catalog Details

Summary

Short Citation
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2024: Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Sightings of Marine Species of Interest during Towed-diver Surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25301.
Full Citation Examples

Abstract

The presence data described here include "off transect" sightings of marine species of interest observed during fish towed-diver surveys conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD)--formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division--as part of the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP). These underwater surveys were conducted across coral reef habitats of the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2000 to 2017. Presence data for marine species observed outside the fish towed-diver's transect were recorded, including the taxon name - generally to species level, the number observed, and in most cases the size in centimeters. Marine species observed include sea turtles, dolphins, eels, rays, seals, as well as a number of fish species that were considered to be species of interest, such as the humphead wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, most reef sharks, and species of large grouper. While not included in this dataset, the towed-diver method was primarily used by ESD to survey large-bodied (>50 cm) fishes within the towed-diver transect and to assess the reef habitat. This dataset also includes fish species of interest observed inside the transect area, but where those were less than 50 cm in total length (and therefore not recorded with the large-bodied fish towed-diver survey data).

Generally, the towed-diver method involves towing a pair of SCUBA divers--one benthic and one fish--behind a small boat for 50 minutes, approximately following the ~15-m depth contour and covering a linear distance of about 2 kilometers per survey. Each diver was equipped with a towboard and attempted to maintain position ~1 meter above the surface of the reef for the duration of the survey. A complete towed-diver survey includes ten 5-minute segments, with visual observations recorded by 5-minute segment. Sightings of marine species included in this dataset were also recorded by the 5-min segment in which the species was observed.

Distribution Information

  • PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format

    Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for towed-diver benthic and fish surveys. PIFSC Administrative Report H-18-02. https://doi.org/10.25923/59sb-sy51

  • CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text)

    Sightings of marine species of interest from towed-diver surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017 conducted by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division.

Access Constraints:

None

Use Constraints:

Please cite PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) when using the data.

Suggested citation:

Ecosystem Sciences Division; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2019: Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Sightings of Marine Species of Interest during Towed-diver Surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25301.

Controlled Theme Keywords

biota

Child Items

Type Title
Entity View: VS_FISH_TDS_SIGHTINGS

Contact Information

Point of Contact
Ivor D Williams
ivor.williams@noaa.gov
(808)725-5427

Metadata Contact
Annette M DesRochers
annette.desrochers@noaa.gov
(808)725-5461

Extents

Geographic Area 1

142° W, 146° E, 21° N, 12.5° S

Mariana Archipelago including Guam, Rota, Tinian, Aguijan, Saipan, Sarigan, Guguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, Maug, Farallon de Pajaros, Anatahan, Arakane, Pathfinder, Santa Rosa, Stingray, and Tatsumi.

Time Frame 1
2003-08-22 - 2003-09-28
Time Frame 2
2007-05-12 - 2007-05-22
Time Frame 3
2007-05-25 - 2007-06-08
Time Frame 4
2009-04-03 - 2009-04-14
Time Frame 5
2009-04-15 - 2009-05-05
Time Frame 6
2011-04-07 - 2011-05-09
Time Frame 7
2005-09-04 - 2005-09-30
Time Frame 8
2005-10-03 - 2005-10-08
Time Frame 9
2014-03-25 - 2014-05-06

MARAMP 2014

Time Frame 10
2017-05-04 - 2017-06-20

MARAMP 2017

Item Identification

Title: Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Sightings of Marine Species of Interest during Towed-diver Surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017
Short Name: RAMP: Fish Towed-diver Sightings
Status: Completed
Creation Date: 2019-03
Publication Date: 2019
Abstract:

The presence data described here include "off transect" sightings of marine species of interest observed during fish towed-diver surveys conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD)--formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division--as part of the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP). These underwater surveys were conducted across coral reef habitats of the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2000 to 2017. Presence data for marine species observed outside the fish towed-diver's transect were recorded, including the taxon name - generally to species level, the number observed, and in most cases the size in centimeters. Marine species observed include sea turtles, dolphins, eels, rays, seals, as well as a number of fish species that were considered to be species of interest, such as the humphead wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, most reef sharks, and species of large grouper. While not included in this dataset, the towed-diver method was primarily used by ESD to survey large-bodied (>50 cm) fishes within the towed-diver transect and to assess the reef habitat. This dataset also includes fish species of interest observed inside the transect area, but where those were less than 50 cm in total length (and therefore not recorded with the large-bodied fish towed-diver survey data).

Generally, the towed-diver method involves towing a pair of SCUBA divers--one benthic and one fish--behind a small boat for 50 minutes, approximately following the ~15-m depth contour and covering a linear distance of about 2 kilometers per survey. Each diver was equipped with a towboard and attempted to maintain position ~1 meter above the surface of the reef for the duration of the survey. A complete towed-diver survey includes ten 5-minute segments, with visual observations recorded by 5-minute segment. Sightings of marine species included in this dataset were also recorded by the 5-min segment in which the species was observed.

Purpose:

The Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP), established by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) and supported by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), was tasked with documenting and understanding the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. Pacific Islands Region. Pacific RAMP involved interdisciplinary monitoring of oceanographic conditions and biological surveys of organisms associated with hard-bottom habitats in the 0-30 m depth range and aimed to support integrated, consistent and comparable monitoring of coral reef systems. RAMP missions were conducted in each Pacific region, including the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas, every 1-3 years.Starting in 2013, Pacific RAMP was incorporated into NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program.

Notes:

Record complete as of May 21 2019.

Other Citation Details:

Lino K, Asher J, Ferguson M, Gray A, McCoy K, Timmers M, Vargas-Ãngel B (2018) Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for towed-diver benthic and fish surveys. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent., Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv., NOAA, Honolulu, HI 96818-5007. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent. Admin. Rep. H-18-02, 76 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/59sb-sy51

Becker SL, Brainard RE, Van Houtan KS (2019) Densities and drivers of sea turtle populations across Pacific coral reef ecosystems. PLoS ONE 14(4): e0214972. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214972

Keywords

Theme Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
UNCONTROLLED
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Numeric Data Sets > Biology
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Vertebrates
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Mammals
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Mammals > Cetaceans
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Mammals > Pinnipeds
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Reptiles > Turtles
CRCP Project 1221
CRCP Project 587
CRCP Project 743
CRCP Project C204 Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP): Biennial monitoring for the US Pacific Islands and Atolls
CRCP Project National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
CRCP Project Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Monitoring coral reef ecosystems of the US Pacific Islands and Atolls
NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS DEPTH - SENSOR
NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS SPECIES IDENTIFICATION
NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - COUNT
NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH
NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS WATER TEMPERATURE
NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Temperature Sensors
NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS survey - swimmer/diver
NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS HI'IALAKAI
NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS OSCAR ELTON SETTE
NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS TOWNSEND CROMWELL
NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program
NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CORAL REEF STUDIES
NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Pacific Reef and Assessment Monitoring Program
NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division
None Coral Reef Ecosystem Division
None Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
None CRED
None CREP
None Ecosystem Sciences Division
None ESD
None NCRMP
None Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
None PIFSC
None RAMP
None Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program
None TDS
None towboard
None towed diver
None Towed-diver survey

Spatial Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Aguihan > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Alamagan Island > Alamagan Island (17N145E0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Anatahan > Anatahan Island (16N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Farallon de Pajaros > Farallon de Pajaros (20N144E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Guguan > Guguan Island (17N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Maug > Maug Island (20N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Arakane Reef (15N141E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Pathfinder Reef (16N141E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Stingray Shoals (20N142E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Pagan > Pagan Island (18N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Rota > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Saipan > Saipan Island (15N145E0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Tinian > Tatsumi Reef (14N145E0011)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Tinian > Tinian Island (14N145E0005)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Manu'a Islands (14S170W0038)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Ofu Island (14S169W0013)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Olosega Island (14S169W0014)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Rose Atoll (14S168W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > South Bank (14S170W0067)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Santa Rosa Bank (12N144E0051)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Kauai Island (22N159W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Gardner Pinnacles (25N168W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Necker Island (23N164W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Oahu (21N157W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Raita Bank (25N168W0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kauai > Kaula Island (21N160W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kauai > Niihau Island (21N160W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Maui Island (20N156W0004)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Baker Island (00N176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Howland Island (00S176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Manu'a Islands (14S170W0038)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Rose Atoll (14S168W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > South Bank (14S170W0067)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Baker Island > Baker Island (00N176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Hawaii Island > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Kauai Island > Kauai Island (22N159W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Lanai Island > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Maui Island > Maui Island (20N156W0004)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Molokai Island > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Niihau Island > Kaula Island (21N160W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Niihau Island > Niihau Island (21N160W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Oahu Island > Oahu (21N157W0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Howland Island > Howland Island (00S176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Johnston Atoll > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Gardner Pinnacles (25N168W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Necker Island (23N164W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Raita Bank (25N168W0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Wake Atoll > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Ofu Island (14S169W0013)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Olosega Island (14S169W0014)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Agrihan Island > Agrihan Island (18N145E0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Aguihan Island Reefs > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Alamagan Island > Alamagan Island (17N145E0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Anatahan Island > Anatahan Island (16N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Arakane Reef > Arakane Reef (15N141E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Farallon de Pajaros > Farallon de Pajaros (20N144E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Santa Rosa Bank (12N144E0051)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guguan Island > Guguan Island (17N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Mariana Archipelago > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Mariana Islands > Stingray Shoals (20N142E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Maug Island > Maug Island (20N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Pagan Island > Pagan Island (18N145E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Pathfinder Reef > Pathfinder Reef (16N141E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Rota Island > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Saipan Island > Saipan Island (15N145E0002)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Tinian Island > Tatsumi Reef (14N145E0011)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Tinian Island Reefs > Tinian Island (14N145E0005)
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Equatorial Pacific Ocean
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS North Pacific Ocean
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS NW Pacific
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean
None CNMI
None Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
None Main Hawaiian Islands
None Mariana Islands
None Marianas
None MHI
None NWHI
None Pacific Remote Island Areas
None PMNM
None PRIA
None PRIMNM

Physical Location

Organization: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
City: Honolulu
State/Province: HI
Country: USA

Data Set Information

Data Set Scope Code: Data Set
Data Set Type: CSV Files
Maintenance Frequency: None Planned
Data Presentation Form: Table (digital)
Entity Attribute Overview:

Raw survey data includes metadata for each survey (where, when, length, duration, depth, reef type, temperature); individual sightings identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible along with a count and size in centimeters of the organism.

Entity Attribute Detail URL: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/45813
Distribution Liability:

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Data Set Credit: PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division and funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Support Roles

Data Set Credit

CC ID: 360656
Date Effective From: 2000
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization): NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
Address: 1305 East West Highway 10th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281
Phone: (301) 713-3155
URL: https://coralreef.noaa.gov

Data Steward

CC ID: 837780
Date Effective From: 2018
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): McCoy, Kaylyn S
Address: 1845 Wasp Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96818
USA
Email Address: kaylyn.mccoy@noaa.gov
Phone: (808)725-5471

Distributor

CC ID: 360651
Date Effective From: 2019
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization): NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
Email Address: ncei.info@noaa.gov
URL: NCEI Contact Information

Metadata Contact

CC ID: 360654
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): DesRochers, Annette M
Address: 1845 Wasp Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96818
USA
Email Address: annette.desrochers@noaa.gov
Phone: (808)725-5461
Business Hours: 8 am - 5 pm

Originator

CC ID: 360657
Date Effective From: 2000
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization): Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC)
Address: 1845 Wasp Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96818
USA
Email Address: pifsc.info@noaa.gov
Phone: 808-725-5360
URL: https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Point of Contact

CC ID: 360658
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Williams, Ivor D
Address: 1845 Wasp Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96818
USA
Email Address: ivor.williams@noaa.gov
Phone: (808)725-5427
View Historical Support Roles

Extents

Currentness Reference: Ground Condition

Extent Group 1

Extent Description:

Mariana Archipelago

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 360599
W° Bound: 142
E° Bound: 146
N° Bound: 21
S° Bound: 12.5
Description

Mariana Archipelago including Guam, Rota, Tinian, Aguijan, Saipan, Sarigan, Guguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, Maug, Farallon de Pajaros, Anatahan, Arakane, Pathfinder, Santa Rosa, Stingray, and Tatsumi.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 360600
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2003-08-22
End: 2003-09-28
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0307

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 360601
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2007-05-12
End: 2007-05-22
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0702

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 360602
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2007-05-25
End: 2007-06-08
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0703

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 360603
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2009-04-03
End: 2009-04-14
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0902

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 360604
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2009-04-15
End: 2009-05-05
Alternate Start As Of Info: MARIAN

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 360605
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2011-04-07
End: 2011-05-09
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1101

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 360606
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2005-09-04
End: 2005-09-30
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0511

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 8

CC ID: 360607
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2005-10-03
End: 2005-10-08
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0512

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 9

CC ID: 838588
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-03-25
End: 2014-05-06
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1401
Description:

MARAMP 2014

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 10

CC ID: 838589
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017-05-04
End: 2017-06-20
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1701
Description:

MARAMP 2017

Extent Group 2

Extent Description:

Hawaiian Archipelago including the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Extent Group 2 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 360608
W° Bound: -161
E° Bound: -154.5
N° Bound: 22.5
S° Bound: 18.5
Description

Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), including Hawaii, Kauai, Kaula, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, and Oahu

Extent Group 2 / Geographic Area 2

CC ID: 360609
W° Bound: -178.5
E° Bound: -164.5
N° Bound: 28.5
S° Bound: 23.5
Description

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), including French Frigate, Gardner, Kure, Laysan, Lisianski, Maro, Midway, Necker, Pearl & Hermes, and Raita

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 360610
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2005-07-14
End: 2005-08-06
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0505

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 360611
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2006-07-27
End: 2006-08-19
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0610

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 360612
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-10-17
End: 2008-11-13
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0810

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 360613
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2000-09-09
End: 2000-10-05
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0011

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 360614
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-12-09
End: 2008-12-10
Alternate Start As Of Info: SHORE1

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 360615
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-10-08
End: 2010-11-04
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1008

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 360616
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2001-09-13
End: 2001-09-25
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0110

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 8

CC ID: 360617
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2016-07-13
End: 2016-09-14
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1606
Description:

HARAMP 2016 to the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 9

CC ID: 360618
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2002-09-11
End: 2002-10-04
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0207

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 10

CC ID: 360619
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2003-07-14
End: 2003-08-08
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0306

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 11

CC ID: 360620
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-09-16
End: 2004-10-11
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0401

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 12

CC ID: 360621
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2006-09-03
End: 2006-10-01
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0611

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 13

CC ID: 360622
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-09-14
End: 2008-10-09
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0809

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 14

CC ID: 360623
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-09-07
End: 2010-09-24
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1007

Extent Group 3

Extent Description:

American Samoa

Extent Group 3 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 360624
W° Bound: -171.5
E° Bound: -168
N° Bound: -11
S° Bound: -15
Description

American Samoa including Tutuila, Manu'a (Ofo, Olosega, and Ta'u), Rose Atoll, South Bank, and Swains.

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 360625
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-02-23
End: 2010-03-20
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1001

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 360626
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-03-21
End: 2012-04-25
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1201

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 360627
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2002-02-09
End: 2002-03-03
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0201

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 360628
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-02-04
End: 2004-02-25
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0402

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 360629
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2006-02-11
End: 2006-03-09
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0602

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 360630
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-02-18
End: 2008-03-18
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0802

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 838590
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2015-02-15
End: 2015-03-23
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1501
Description:

ASRAMP 2015

Extent Group 4

Extent Description:

Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA)

Extent Group 4 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 360632
W° Bound: 166.5
E° Bound: -159.5
N° Bound: 19.5
S° Bound: -0.5
Description

Pacific Remote Island Areas, including the Phoenix (Baker and Howland), Line (Jarvis, Kingman, and Palmyra), and Wake Islands , and Johnston Atoll.

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 360633
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2005-10-18
End: 2005-10-21
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0513

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 360634
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2007-04-30
End: 2007-05-03
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0701

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 360635
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2009-03-22
End: 2009-03-26
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0901

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 360636
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2011-03-23
End: 2011-03-27
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1101

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 360637
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2001-02-07
End: 2001-02-23
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0101

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 360638
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2002-01-29
End: 2002-02-01
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0201

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 360639
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-01-12
End: 2004-01-24
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0401

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 8

CC ID: 360640
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-03-26
End: 2004-04-04
Alternate Start As Of Info: OES0404

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 9

CC ID: 360641
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2006-01-18
End: 2006-02-01
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0601

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 10

CC ID: 360642
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2006-03-20
End: 2006-04-02
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0604

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 11

CC ID: 360643
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-01-27
End: 2008-02-09
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0801

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 12

CC ID: 360644
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2008-03-26
End: 2008-04-07
Alternate Start As Of Info: HI0803

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 13

CC ID: 360645
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2002-03-10
End: 2002-03-19
Alternate Start As Of Info: TC0201

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 14

CC ID: 360646
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-01-24
End: 2010-02-08
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1001

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 15

CC ID: 360647
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-04-01
End: 2010-04-17
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1001

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 16

CC ID: 360648
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-03-02
End: 2012-03-16
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1201

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 17

CC ID: 360649
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-05-03
End: 2012-05-19
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1201

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 18

CC ID: 838591
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-03-16
End: 2014-03-17
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1401
Description:

MARAMP 2014

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 19

CC ID: 838592
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2015-02-04
End: 2015-04-25
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1501
Description:

ASRAMP 2015

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 20

CC ID: 838593
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017-04-02
End: 2017-04-20
Alternate Start As Of Info: HA1701
Description:

MARAMP 2017

Access Information

Security Class: Unclassified
Security Classification System:

Not applicable

Security Handling Description:

Not applicable

Data Access Policy:

NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) Data Sharing Recommendations, version 9.0 updated August 12, 2015:

CREP welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on research issues contributing to the scientific basis for better management of marine ecosystems. CREP has a very diverse set of field activities that generates large volumes of data using an array of data collection protocols.

The following recommendations are for your consideration as you use this data:

1) Data analyses should take all field exigencies into account. The most effective way to do this would be active collaboration with CREP principal investigators.

2) In all presentations, product releases, or publications using data generated by CREP, proper acknowledgement of both CREP and the individuals responsible for data collection is expected. Citing the DOI (if available) is preferred, a non-DOI example is listed below.

3) If you collect or generate data for the same study areas, CREP requests that you share relevant information on complimentary data collections.

4) Those receiving data are strongly urged to inform the CREP Data Management Team of any errors and discrepancies that are discovered during the course of using these data. They are further urged to bring to the attention of the Team all problems and difficulties encountered in using these data. This information is necessary in order to improve the collections and to facilitate more efficient and economical data processing and retrieval. The users are asked to supply copies of any missing data that may be located, and to provide information as to significant subsets and special aggregations of data that are developed in using the material provided.

Example citation:

"This publication makes use of data products provided by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with funding support from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The analysis and interpretations presented here are solely that of the current authors.”

Data Access Procedure:

Data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

Data Access Constraints:

None

Data Use Constraints:

Please cite PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) when using the data.

Suggested citation:

Ecosystem Sciences Division; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2019: Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Sightings of Marine Species of Interest during Towed-diver Surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25301.

Metadata Access Constraints:

None

Metadata Use Constraints:

None

Distribution Information

Distribution 1

CC ID: 838655
Download URL: https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157633
Distributor: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) (2019 - Present)
File Name: PIFSC_H-18-02_2018_SOP_towed-diver.pdf
Description:

Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for towed-diver benthic and fish surveys. PIFSC Administrative Report H-18-02. https://doi.org/10.25923/59sb-sy51

File Date/Time: 2018-06-01 00:00:00
File Type (Deprecated): PDF
Distribution Format: PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format

Distribution 2

CC ID: 268711
Download URL: https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0189253
Distributor: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) (2019 - Present)
File Name: VS_FISH_TDS_SIGHTINGS_2000-2017.csv
Description:

Sightings of marine species of interest from towed-diver surveys of the U.S. Pacific Reefs from 2000 to 2017 conducted by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division.

File Date/Time: 2019-05-10 00:00:00
File Type (Deprecated): csv (comma-separated values)
Distribution Format: CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text)

URLs

URL 1

CC ID: 360660
URL: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/ecosystems/surveying-vast-ocean
Name: Ecosystem Sciences
URL Type:
Online Resource
Description:

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

URL 2

CC ID: 360661
URL: https://www.coris.noaa.gov/monitoring/
Name: NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)
URL Type:
Online Resource
Description:

Information about the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) on the NOAA Coral Reef Information System website.

Technical Environment

Description:

PIFSC Oracle database view: VS_FISH_TDS_SIGHTINGS

Data Quality

Accuracy:

Observations during each tow were made by divers who have been trained, and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations and in estimating size of fishes in survey counts. However, all species identifications are made visually, sometimes in situations where an organism of interest is only briefly seen or is seen at some distance from the diver. Current and surface conditions for the support vessel influence the depth contour and accompanying track lines, meaning that divers are not always able to maintain themselves in the target habitat and depth range throughout the course of the survey.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy:

The GPS (Garmin GPSMAP 78/78s) records the position of the boat, not the position of the divers whose actual position was a distance behind the small boat (~30-60 m). Therefore, a layback model was applied (python script in ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop) to more accurately reflect the actual track of the divers.

Vertical Positional Accuracy:

Depth provided is that of the diver, recorded from a SEABIRD temperature/depth sensor mounted on the towboard.

Quantitation Limits:

These data can be used to detect large differences in distributions of certain species, but are not suitable for precise estimations of density. Among other reasons, divers ability to detect species of interest in the vicinity of the towed diver surveys depends on water clarity, presence or absence of physical barriers such as underwater ridges and spurs. In addition, divers' capacity to thoroughly scan surrounding waters for 'off transect' taxa of interest is at least partially related to abundance of fishes within survey transects (and the amount of their attention that divers must focus on that - which was the primary goal of those surveys).

Completeness Report:

The towed-diver surveys are completed in forereef, backreef, and lagoon habitats. While a tow survey is usually 50 min and comprises ten 5-m segments, only those segments in which a species of interest was observed are included. Only 'normal' tow types are included; calibration tows are excluded.

Conceptual Consistency:

The same methods of data collection are used during each tow. Regular examination and comparisons of the data are conducted throughout each mission to check for gross diver bias or other discrepancies. However, visual estimates are inherently prone to bias through remaining differences in performance of different observers.

Quality Control Procedures Employed:

The data is recorded by the diver on a physical data sheet, then transferred to a MS Access database on-board the ship. After the data is entered in the MS Access database, the diver verifies the data against the physical data sheet to ensure accuracy. Following the conclusion of a mission, the data is migrated to an Oracle database by data management personnel. There are several data validation queries in both the MS Access and Oracle databases to flag errors based on pre-defined criteria.

Data Management

Have Resources for Management of these Data Been Identified?: Yes
Approximate Percentage of Budget for these Data Devoted to Data Management: Unknown
Do these Data Comply with the Data Access Directive?: Yes
Is Access to the Data Limited Based on an Approved Waiver?: No
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Dissemination: Unknown
Actual or Planned Long-Term Data Archive Location: NCEI-MD
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Archiving: Unknown
How Will the Data Be Protected from Accidental or Malicious Modification or Deletion Prior to Receipt by the Archive?:

The data is captured in several locations: physical data sheets, MS Access cruise database, and PIFSC Oracle database. The physical data sheets are housed at PIFSC. The MS Access cruise database is regularly backed up by the cruise data manager while at sea. The PIFSC Oracle database is regularly backed up by PIFSC ITS.

Lineage

Lineage Statement:

Towed-diver survey method for sightings of marine species of interest, employed by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) from 2000 to 2017. This underwater survey method was primarily used to assess relatively large areas of reef habitat and to survey for large-bodied fishes; however, the method was also used to gather "off transect" sightings of marine species of interest.

Sources

Lino K, Asher J, Ferguson M, Gray A, McCoy K, Timmers M, Vargas-Ángel B (2018) Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for towed-diver benthic and fish surveys. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent., Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv., NOAA, Honolulu, HI 96818-5007. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent. Admin. Rep. H-18-02, 76 p.

CC ID: 837821
Publish Date: 2018-06-01
Citation URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214972
Citation URL Name: NOAA Institutional Repository
Source Contribution:

Survey protocol

Process Steps

Process Step 1

CC ID: 838594
Description:

The towed-diver method involved towing a pair of SCUBA divers--one benthic and one fish--behind a small boat that motored at a velocity of 1-2 mph for 50 minutes, approximately following the ~15-m depth contour and covering a linear distance of about 2 kilometers per survey. A complete towed-diver survey includes ten 5-minute segments, with visual observations recorded by 5-minute segment.

Presence data for sightings of marine species observed outside the fish towed-diver's transect were also recorded by the 5-min segment in which the species were observed, including the taxon name - generally to species level - the number observed, and in most cases the size in centimeters. Presence data for fish species of interest observed inside the transect area were also recorded, but only where those were less than 50 cm in total length (and therefore not recorded with the large-bodied fish towed-diver survey data).

Each diver was equipped with a towboard and attempted to maintain position ~1 meter above the surface of the reef for the duration of the survey. The fish towboard was equipped with a digital videocamera pointing in the forward-looking direction to document the fish associated with the reef. The fish diver maneuvered the towboard on which the camera was mounted and recorded select data pertaining to fish using datasheets mounted on the towboard. The towboard was also equipped with a SEABIRD temperature sensor to record water temperature and depth every 5 seconds. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver on-board the surface tow vessel recorded the latitude and longitude coordinates of the survey track over which the divers were towed.

The survey tracks were georeferenced, merged with the temperature and depth data, and a layback model was applied (python script in ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop) to reflect the accurate track of the divers whose actual position was a distance behind the small boat.

Process Contact: McCoy, Kaylyn S
Phone (Voice): (808)725-5471
Email Address: kaylyn.mccoy@noaa.gov
Source: Lino K, Asher J, Ferguson M, Gray A, McCoy K, Timmers M, Vargas-Ángel B (2018) Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for towed-diver benthic and fish surveys. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent., Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv., NOAA, Honolulu, HI 96818-5007. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent. Admin. Rep. H-18-02, 76 p.

Acquisition Information

Instruments

Instrument 1

CC ID: 837812
Identifier: towboard-fish
Instrument / Gear: Instrument
Instrument Type: Fish towboard
Description:

SCUBA divers conduct towed-diver surveys to assess relatively large areas of reef habitat and to survey large-bodied reef fishes. This method involves towing two divers (one fish, one benthic) behind a small surface craft that is moving at a velocity of 1-2 mph. The fish towboard is equipped with a digital videocamera that is pointing in the forward-looking direction to document the fish associated with the reef. The fish diver maneuvers the towboard on which the camera is mounted and records selected data pertaining to fish using datasheets mounted on the towboard. The towboard is also equipped with a SEABIRD sensor that records depth and water temperature every 5 seconds. A GPS unit on the surface tow vessel records the trackline over which the divers are being towed.

Platforms

Platform 1

CC ID: 837816
Identifier: In Situ Ocean-based Platforms > SHIPS
Docucomp UUID: b2505a26-1d2b-4917-8ebd-99444dfff85d
Description:

Various ocean-based and lake-based ships, boats, remotely operated vehicles, submersibles, and other unspecified types of platforms

Mounted Instrument 1

Identifier: towboard-fish

Child Items

Rubric scores updated every 15m

Rubric Score Type Title
Entity View: VS_FISH_TDS_SIGHTINGS

Catalog Details

Catalog Item ID: 25301
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:25301
Metadata Record Created By: Annette M DesRochers
Metadata Record Created: 2015-06-09 15:24+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By: SysAdmin InPortAdmin
Metadata Record Last Modified: 2024-10-03 18:16+0000
Metadata Record Published: 2019-05-03
Owner Org: PIFSC
Metadata Publication Status: Published Externally
Do Not Publish?: N
Metadata Last Review Date: 2019-05-03
Metadata Review Frequency: 1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date: 2020-05-03