Data Management Plan

In 1985, NOAA launched the Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) Program to develop a consistent data base on the distribution, relative abundance, and life history characteristics of ecologically and economically important fishes and invertebrates in the Nation's estuaries. The Nationwide ELMR data base includes information for 153 species found in 122 estuaries and coastal embayments. Species are selected according to a set of criteria, which consider their commercial, recreational, and ecological value, as well as their utility as an indicator of environmental stress.The data base is divided into five study regions - West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and North Atlantic. For each species, five life stages are considered - adults, juveniles, larvae, spawning, and eggs - with some exceptions. Each estuary is subdivided into one to five salinity zones. Relative abundance is ranked by month for each life stage of each species, in each salinity zone of each estuary. The program utilized a consistent sampling strategy that enables comparisons to be made among species, specific life stages and times of year within, and to a lesser degree, among estuarine systems.In addition, a series of reports have been published which summarize the methods and results of the ELMR Program. These include a National report (2000), regional data summary reports for the North Atlantic (1994), Mid-Atlantic (1994), Southeast (1991), Gulf of Mexico (1992), and West Coast (1990), and regional life history summary reports for the West Coast (1991) and Gulf of Mexico (1997). Free copies of these reports are available upon request from the Biogeography Program (301-713-3028).

Process Steps:

• 2000-01-01 00:00:00 - Estuaries for each region were selected from the National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) Data Atlas-Volume I, with a total of 122 estuaries within the five study regions included in the ELMR project. Data on the spatial and temporal distributions of species were compiled for five salinity zones. Species were selected based on the commercial value, recreational value, indicator of environmental stress, and ecological value.A data sheet was developed for each species in each estuary to facilitate the review and presentation of the information. Data compiled for each species/life stage included: (1) the salinity zone it occupies, (2) its monthly distribution in those zones, and (3) its relative abundance in those zones. The integrated quantitative and qualitative relative abundance estimates were then verified through an extensive review process utilizing expert knowledge and field experiences or fisheries scientists, managers, and field biologists. Process Date Range is 1985 - 2000

For more information on the ELMR data base, or to request publications, please contact David Moe Nelson, phone (301) 713-3028, email david.moe.nelson@noaa.gov;