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    • Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Sightings of marine species of interest during towed-diver surveys of the U.S. Pacific reefs from 2000-09-16 to 2017-06-20 (NCEI Accession 0189253)

    Metadata Updated: December 1, 2023

    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 only 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.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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    Dates

    Metadata Date 2023-03-15T01:17:48Z
    Metadata Created Date December 4, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date December 1, 2023
    Reference Date(s) May 30, 2019 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Preview graphic

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date 2023-03-15T01:17:48Z
    Metadata Created Date December 4, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date December 1, 2023
    Reference Date(s) May 30, 2019 (publication)
    Responsible Party (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.nodc:0189253
    Access Constraints Cite as: 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 2000-09-16 to 2017-06-20 (NCEI Accession 0189253). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0189253. Accessed [date]., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long -154.8534282
    Bbox North Lat 28.45753
    Bbox South Lat -14.9058
    Bbox West Long 142.4370585
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Preview graphic
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0189253
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id 615471bf-bb0f-41eb-8ffe-9f50a5e46a09
    Harvest Source Id c084a438-6f6b-470d-93e0-16aeddb9f513
    Harvest Source Title NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions
    Licence accessLevel: Public
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[142.4370585, -14.9058], [-154.8534282, -14.9058], [-154.8534282, 28.45753], [142.4370585, 28.45753], [142.4370585, -14.9058]]]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2000-09-16
    Temporal Extent End 2017-06-20

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