National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2014-05-01 to 2014-10-01 (NCEI Accession 0156445)

Divers conducted reef visual census (RVC) fish surveys and habitat assessments at 433 sites in the Florida Keys, 436 sites in the Dry Tortugas and 320 sites in the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) region. NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) divers collaborated with the University of Miami and the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Department/Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), State of Florida, Nova Southeastern University, and the National Park Service (South Florida and Caribbean Network). In total, it took 4718 dives to complete the 2014 mission to monitor reef fish community composition, habitat composition, and abundance and size structure for more than 300 reef fish species on Florida's coral reef tract.

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) details a long-term approach to provide an ecosystem perspective via monitoring climate, fish, benthic, and socioeconomic variables in a consistent and integrated manner. The NCRMP is intended to coordinate various Coral Reef Conservation Coral Reef Program (CRCP) biological, physical, and human dimensions activities into a cohesive NOAA-wide effort. Through the implementation of the NCRMP, NOAA will be able to clearly and concisely communicate results of national-scale monitoring to national, state, and territorial policy makers, resource managers, and the public on a periodic basis.

Cite as: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; National Park Service; University of Miami; Nova Southeastern University (2016). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2014-05-01 to 2014-10-01 (NCEI Accession 0156445). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0156445. Accessed [date].

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) is a framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climate, and socioeconomic indicators at 10 priority coral reefs across the U.S. and its territories. This integrated approach will consolidate monitoring of coral reefs under a uniform method in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. NCRMP is funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and supported by NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and many other partners. NCCOS is co-leading biological monitoring missions with NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) to gather data on fish populations and coral reef communities in the U.S. Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico. Each year, our scientists work closely with CRCP and local partners to collect biological data from thousands of strategically selected sites. We then use innovative analysis techniques to develop products that give fellow scientists, managers, decision makers and the public a better understanding of a region's resources and how they are changing over time. The biological component of NCRMP provides a biennial ecological characterization at a broad spatial scale of general reef condition for reef fishes, corals and benthic habitat (i.e., fish species composition/density/size, benthic cover, and coral density/size/condition). Data collection occurs at stratified random sites where the sampling domain for each region is partitioned by habitat type and depth, sub-regional location (e.g., along-shelf position) and management zone. Data provided in this data set were collected along the Florida reef tract from Dry Tortugas to Martin County

Three data sets are provided under the stationary point count fish protocols and are distributed as one compiled package: (1) Analysis Ready dataset , (2) Boatlog/Station dataset,and (3) raw QAQC'd sample data file. The methodology used for this survey can be found in the point count fish protocols.

All three data sets contain data fields on general station information (survey strata), and general station information (depth, rugosity). Each of the three data tables contain additional survey-specific data fields. For complete information and descriptions of attributes and data fields for all three data tables, refer to the data dictionary.

NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data.

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Data can be accessed via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive, accession #0156445.

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Please reference NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC when utilizing these data in a report or peer reviewed publication.

Cite as:

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). 2016. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: FISH - CORAL REEF collected from Small Boats in Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2014-05-01 to 2014-10-01 (NCEI Accession 0156445)

Additionally, knowledge of how this dataset has been of use and which organizations are utilizing it is of great benefit for ensuring this information continues to meet the needs of the management and research communities. Therefore, it is requested but not mandatory, that any user of this data supply this information to the Project Co- Invstigator (Atlantic/Caribbean): Matthew Johnson (matthew.johnson@noaa.gov)

Quality control procedures for the 2014 Florida survey data is implemented in four main stages: (1) ongoing routine training of observers (initial detailed training, annual refresher training); (2) data check following data collection, where divers trade datasheets immediately upon returning to boat after dive, to ensure all data were collected accurately and required information is complete; (3) divers and independent reviewers compare datasheets with database entries; and (4) statistical analyses are conducted as the final check before distribution.

Before implementation the sampling design was reviewed and agreed upon by representatives from the program partners.

NOAA Fisheries ITS resources and assets.

Data sets and protocols are year specific. Data sets are based on year-specific protocols utilized for data collection.