National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169400)

The stationary point count method (7.5m radius cylinder) is used to conduct fish surveys in Florida as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). This method collects and reports information on species composition, density, size structure, abundance and derived metrics (e.g., species richness, diversity). Data provided in this data set are from three (3) distinct regions along the Florida reef tract; 1) Dry Tortugas, 2) Florida Keys from Key West north to Miami and 3) Miami north to Martin County. Data are collected using a 2-stage, stratified random survey design. Lead agencies involved include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

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: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169400). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169400. 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

Submitter's note: The raw data and processing files in this package were originally intended to only be distributed by request in order to ensure that the data were used properly. After further consideration, these data were included here to guard against data loss in the case of personal computer or local server catastrophe. The submitter still recommends that anyone interested in the raw data in this package contact him before using it. The raw and verify data sets are used to create the Analysis Ready (AR) datasets. It is the AR datasets that the submitter intended to make public and easily accessible.

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.

Not applicable

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Data can be accessed via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive, accession #0169400.

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

Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169400). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169400. Accessed [date].

Quality control procedures for the 2016 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.