Fishery-independent Surveys of Queen Conch in St. Croix 2010-2011

We examined queen conch populations on the northeastern coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using a radial survey sampling technique with sample sites stratified by depth, habitat type, and management regime, encompassing both open and closed fishing areas. We completed 503 radial surveys and located 4773 conch, representing a cumulative density of approximately 302 conch per hectare. Densities of juvenile conch were highest in 5090 patchy seagrass beds in Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM) due to high numbers of small 79 cm conch. Overall length frequencies showed a bimodal distribution, driven largely by juvenile conch found within the BIRNM. Length distributions by habitat were variable but showed a trend toward larger conch in reef, macroalgae, and sand habitats compared to a more even distribution in seagrass. Densities of adults were highest inside the BIRNM in 1050 patchy seagrass where several conch were observed mating and laying egg masses.

To determine densities of queen conch on the northeastern coast of St. Croix from fishery-independent surveys to enhance stock assessment efforts.

Available to fishery scientists and qualified researchers upon request.

The data will be available from a public web server once an access methodology has been developed.

None

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material contained in this data set. The NMFS Galveston Laboratory Fishery Ecology Branch compiled these data sets in order to develop a scientific basis for refining essential fish habitat designations for future amendments to fishery management plans. NMFS is not responsible for any uses of these data sets beyond those for which they were intended, and NMFS makes no claims regarding the accuracy of any data provided by agencies or individuals outside NMFS.

Each sample was assigned a unique identification code. Field collected samples were tagged redundantly (e.g. one label inside of the collection vessel and a matching label attached to the outside of the vessel). The identifier and its associated information (e.g. date, location, habitat) was recorded on field data sheets. Once a sample arrived at the laboratory, the label remained with the sample throughout the various stages of sample processing. After data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet or similar database file, the information was printed out and compared against the field data sheets by two biologists. Corrections were made at this time and saved. The electronic file was also sorted and examined by the Lab Supervisor or other project personnel in a variety of ways to look for outliers, missing data, and other potential errors.

N/A

The archival process is currently under development.

The data resides on a secure government network requiring multi-factor authentication for network access.