gov.noaa.nodc:0204647 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2025-12-02T16:36:54Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Puerto Rico Long-Term Coral Reef Monitoring Program database compilation: substrate cover percent, octocoral colony counts, macro invertebrate densities, fish densities, and fish biomass from 1999 to 2025 (NCEI Accession 0204647) 2019-10-17 publication 2025-12-01 revision 2019-10-08 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0204647 NCEI Archive Management System 0204647 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Miguel G. Figuerola-Hernández Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Miguel G. Figuerola-Hernández Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) mgfiguerola@drna.pr.gov http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information collaborator Juan Cruz Motta University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences juan.cruz13@upr.edu https://www.uprm.edu/cima/ HTTPS University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences website Institution web page information collaborator Jorge García-Saís Reef Research, Inc. goingdeep49@gmail.com principalInvestigator Fernando Melendez University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences fernando.melendez1@upr.edu https://www.uprm.edu/cima/ HTTPS University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences website Institution web page information collaborator Stacey Williams Coastal Survey Sollutions LLC stcmwilliams@gmail.com collaborator Jorge Sabater Coastal Survey Solutions LLC jorge.sabater.clavell@gmail.com collaborator Milton Carlo Coastal Survey Solutions LLC mcarlo@hotmail.com collaborator Maria Vega-Rodriguez Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) maria.vega@drna.pr.gov http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information pointOfContact Tania Metz Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) tmetz@drna.pr.gov http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information collaborator Mariana León Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) 2016-2017 National Coral Reef Management Fellow leonperezmariana@gmail.com http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information collaborator René Esteves Coastal Survey Solutions LLC renefesteves@gmail.com collaborator Roberto L. Castro Reef Research, Inc. collaborator Eric Appeldoorn Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) eric.appeldoorn1@upr.edu http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information collaborator Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources http://drna.pr.gov/ HTTP Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) website Institution web page information author University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences https://www.uprm.edu/cima/ HTTPS University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital The Puerto Rico Coral Reef Monitoring Program data files include all raw data (by transect) for 86 stations where substrate cover by sessile-benthic categories and fish and motile megabenthic invertebrate taxonomic composition and densities have been characterized from 1999-2025. At present, 42 of these stations are permanent and are surveyed biannually. For the benthic characterization, at each reef station, a set of five 10 meters long permanent transects are surveyed. Sessile-benthic reef communities are characterized by the continuous intercept chain-link method, following the CARICOMP (1994) protocol. Demersal diurnal non-cryptic reef fish populations and motile megabenthic invertebrates are surveyed by sets of five 10 meters long by 3 meters wide (30 m2) belt-transects centered along the reference line of transects used for sessile-benthic characterizations at each reef station. Upon completion of the 10 meters belt-transect survey the diver swims along the same depth and physiographic reef zone for an extra 10 meters to identify fishes and megabenthic invertebrates of commercial value (snappers, groupers, hogfishes, barracuda, mackerels, sharks, lobsters and queen conch) and/or fish species that are considered important reef herbivores (parrotfishes, doctorfishes). For each fish individual within belt-transects, a visual total length (TL) estimate in centimeters was recorded. The cephalothorax length (measurement from the tip of the rostrum to end of the thorax), also known as carapace length (CL) in centimeters was used to report the size of lobsters (Panulirus spp., Scyllarides sp) within belt-transects. Queen conch (Strombus gigas) length was reported as the total (diagonal) shell length in centimeters. With the length-weight relationship information available in FishBase.org, biomass estimates have been calculated for commercially and ecologically important species. The PRCRMP data files also include a site classification spreadsheet with descriptors for each monitoring station, some of which can be used as spatial and temporal factors for statistical analyses. These descriptors include information about depth, habitat type, distance from shore, marine protected areas attributes, coordinates, and other metadata. These datasets are collected to: (a) Know the conditions of the species in coral reefs with ecological and economic importance. (b) Identify the trends of reef communities in response to environmental and human pressures. (c) Determine the most effective management strategies for the conservation and management of Puerto Rico coral reefs. Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Funding Agency: Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and a new version of the archival package was published. Updates to existing archival packages may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. The latest version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. Please see journal.txt in the /about directory for additional details on changes made. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0204647 Preview graphic PNG 0204647 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2025-11-20 publication BENTHIC SPECIES BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA COUNTS biological data BIOMASS CORAL CORAL - CENSUS CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION DEPTH - SENSOR FISH BIOMASS FISH CENSUS FISH SPECIES HABITAT - BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER species abundance SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - COUNT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS chain swimmer/diver visual observation instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ survey survey - biological survey - coral reef survey - swimmer/diver visual observation theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Marine Sciences dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Caribbean Sea North Atlantic Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication DNER - NOAA CRCP Cooperative Agreement Puerto Rico Long-Term Coral Reef Monitoring Program project Provider Project Names Numeric Data Sets > Benthic Numeric Data Sets > Biology Numeric Data Sets > Fish Census theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Anthozoans/Octocorals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Macroinvertebrate Census > Belt Transect EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Reef Fish Census EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Reef Fish Census > Belt Transect EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Scleractinia (stony corals) EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Coral Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Habitats EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover Dead percentage EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Macroinvertebrates EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Biomass EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Census EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Census > Macroinvertebrates EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > VEGETATION > BIOMASS EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Active Search Census (roving dive) Band transect Chain transect Line transect theme Provider Keywords VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Puerto Rico > Puerto Rico (18N066W0000) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea /North Atlantic Ocean > Puerto Rico > Puerto Rico (18N066W0000) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > CARIBBEAN SEA place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 2T93CH Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: Public otherRestrictions Cite as: Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (2019). Puerto Rico Long-Term Coral Reef Monitoring Program database compilation: substrate cover percent, octocoral colony counts, macro invertebrate densities, fish densities, and fish biomass from 1999 to 2025 (NCEI Accession 0204647). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions 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. Annual Reports of the Coral Reef Monitoring Program 2019 publication https://drna.pr.gov/coralpr/monitoreo/ HTTPS https://drna.pr.gov/coralpr/monitoreo/ DNER web page that houses all of the Coral Reef Monitoring Program's annual reports information Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico http://drna.pr.gov HTTP website Institution web page information author Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico http://drna.pr.gov HTTP website Institution web page information publisher documentDigital Annual Reports crossReference García-Sais, J. R., Williams, S. M., & Amirrezvani, A. (2017). Mortality, recovery, and community shifts of scleractinian corals in Puerto Rico one decade after the 2005 regional bleaching event. PeerJ, 5, e3611. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3611 2017-07-25 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3611 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3611 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3611 Journal Article information García-Sais, Jorge R. Department of Marine Science, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico author Williams, Stacey M. Institute for Socio-Ecological Research, Lajas, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico author Amirrezvani, Ali Department of Marine Science, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico author PeerJ publisher documentDigital PeerJ 5 ISSN 2167-8359, p. e3611 crossReference Garcia-Sais, J. R. (2010). Reef habitats and associated sessile-benthic and fish assemblages across a euphotic–mesophotic depth gradient in Isla Desecheo, Puerto Rico. Coral Reefs, 29(2), 277–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0582-9 2010-02-07 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0582-9 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0582-9 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0582-9 Online journal article information Garcia-Sais, Jorge R. author Springer Science and Business Media LLC publisher documentDigital Coral Reefs 29(2) ISSN 0722-4028, ISSN 1432-0975, pp. 277-288 crossReference eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -67.95077 -65.1971 17.8843 18.7169 1999-01-01 2025-09-30 In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. PDF CSV 14.016 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/204647 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/204647 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0147/0204647/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0204647 v1.1 was published. 2019-10-17T17:41:16Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v1.1 published 2019-10-17T17:41:16Z download NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and v2.2 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2019-11-14T20:24:24Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v2.2 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/2.2 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v2.2 published 2019-11-14T20:24:24Z download NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and v3.3 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2020-04-16T13:31:23Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v3.3 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/3.3 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v3.3 published 2020-04-16T13:31:23Z download NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and v4.4 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2022-02-16T21:25:16Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v4.4 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/4.4 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v4.4 published 2022-02-16T21:25:16Z download NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and v5.5 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2024-01-08T16:22:14Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v5.5 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/5.5 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v5.5 published 2024-01-08T16:22:14Z download NCEI Accession 0204647 was revised and v6.6 was published. Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. 2025-12-01T19:59:43Z NCEI Accession 0204647 v6.6 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0204647/6.6 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0204647 v6.6 published 2025-12-01T19:59:43Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER (measured); Units: cover percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Chain transect; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Sessile-benthic reef communities are characterized by the continuous intercept chain-link method (as modified from Porter, 1972), following the CARICOMP (1994) protocol. This method provides information on the percent linear cover by sessile-benthic biota and other substrate categories along transects. It allows construction of reef community profiles by assignment of metric units to each substrate transition, which serves as a high precision baseline for monitoring. The chain has links of 1.42 cm long, marked every 10 links for the facilitation of counting underwater. The exact position of the chain was guided by a series of steel nails set into available hard (abiotic) substrates along transects. Individual measurements of substrate categories, as recorded from the number of chain links are sorted, added and divided by the total distance (in chain links) on each transect to calculate the cumulative percent linear cover by each substrate species and category. Parameter or Variable: species abundance (measured); Units: Number of colonies; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Line transect; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Octocorals, except for encrusting forms (e.g. Erythropodium caribaeorum, Briareum asbestinum) are counted as the number of colonies intercepted per transect, whenever any of their branches crossed the transect reference line. Hard live coral colonies under the transect line are counted and examined visually for the prevalence of apparent infectious diseases. Colonies of similar coral species growing close together and sharing attachment surfaces are counted as individual colonies if separated by a distance of 15 cm or more. Parameter or Variable: species abundance (measured); Units: individuals per 30 squared meter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Band transect; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Demersal diurnal non-cryptic reef fish populations and motile megabenthic invertebrates are surveyed by sets of five 10 m long by 3 m wide (30 squared meters) belt-transects centered along the reference line of transects used for sessile-benthic characterizations at each reef station. Transect width was marked with flagging tape stretched and tied to weights on each transect side. Each transect is surveyed for 12 - 15 minutes depending on the complexity of the fish community on each transect. The initial one or two minutes are dedicated to the detection of elusive and/or transitory species that swim away of the “belt-transect” area as soon as they detect a diver (e.g. snappers, jacks, mackerels, groupers, hogfish, large parrotfishes, etc.). During the next three to four minutes, the diver swam over both sides of the transect area counting fishes that form schooling aggregations over the reef (e.g. Chromis spp., Clepticus spp., etc.) and other transitory species as they enter the survey area, including the wrasses (e.g. Thalassoma, Halichoeres spp.) which tend to be attracted to divers and thereby, may increase in density during the survey. A second run over both sides of transects was performed during the next four to six minutes in order to count demersal and territorial fishes (e.g. Stegastes spp., Gramma loreto, squirrelfishes, etc.) that remain within the transect area. The last two or three minutes are dedicated to counting the small gobies, echinoderms, mollusks, and crustaceans associated with coral heads and crevices on both sides of transects. Parameter or Variable: species abundance (measured); Units: individuals per size class per 30 minute ASEC Survey; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Active Search Census (roving dive); Sampling and Analyzing Method: From 2004-2013, size-frequency observations were surveyed using an Active Search Census (ASEC) technique. This is a non-random, fixed-time method designed to optimize information of the numbers of highly mobile predatory and herbivorous fish individuals present at each of the main reef habitats, providing simultaneous information on size-frequency distributions. At each reef station, the total number of individuals of each species observed within a fixed time frame of 30 minutes was registered. Individuals were actively searched for in the water column and within crevices, ledges and potentially important hiding places. For each individual sighted, a length estimate was recorded. One ASEC survey was performed at each reef station. Parameter or Variable: species abundance (measured); Units: individuals per size class per 60 squared meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Band transects; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Since 2015, upon completion of the 10 m long by 3 m wide belt-transect survey the diver swims along the same depth and physio-graphic reef zone for an extra 10 by 3 meters to identify fishes and megabenthic invertebrates of commercial value (snappers, groupers, hogfishes, barracuda, mackerels, sharks, lobsters and queen conch) and/or fish species that are considered important reef herbivores (parrotfishes, doctorfishes). This provides a total of 60 squared meters where a visual total length (TL) estimate (in cm) was recorded for each individual. The cephalothorax length (measurement from the tip of the rostrum to end of the thorax), also known as carapace length (CL) in cm was used to report the size of lobsters (Panulirus spp., Scyllarides spp.) within belt-transects. Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) length was reported as the total (diagonal) shell length in cm. The precision of length estimates allowed discrimination between new recruits, small juveniles, juveniles, adult and large adult size classes. Parameter or Variable: BIOMASS (calculated); Units: grams per 60 squared meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Band transects; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Since 2015, the Size-frequency abundance data for the 60 squared meter band transects was compiled per species size classes made of 5cm intervals instead of the raw estimated total length (TL) reported in the annual PRCRMP reports. Once the fish and macroinvertebrates size-frequency data compilation were finished, biomass values were calculated using FishBase (ver. 02/2019) biomass calculator tools, choosing the length-weight relationship coefficients with the best geographical relation to Puerto Rico, when available. The median of each size class was used as the length value, either as fork length (FL) or total length (TL) to get biomass estimates per individual of each species size class. Then, the biomass estimates per individual of each species size class were multiplied by the number of individuals observed for that size class per. Lastly, all species size classes biomass estimates were aggregated to get the species estimated biomass per year-site-transect. Parameter or Variable: BIOMASS (calculated); Units: grams per 30 minute ASEC Survey; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Active Search Census (roving dive); Sampling and Analyzing Method: From 2004-2013, the Size-frequency abundance data for the 30 minute Active Search Census (ASEC) survey was compiled per species size classes made of 5cm intervals instead of the raw estimated total length (TL) reported in the annual PRCRMP reports. Once the fish and macroinvertebrates size-frequency data compilation were finished, biomass values were calculated using FishBase (ver. 02/2019) biomass calculator tools, choosing the length-weight relationship coefficients with the best geographical relation to Puerto Rico, when available. The median of each size class was used as the length value, either as fork length (FL) or total length (TL) to get biomass estimates per individual of each species size class. Then, the biomass estimates per individual of each species size class were multiplied by the number of individuals observed for that size class. Lastly, all species size classes biomass estimates were aggregated to get the species estimated biomass per year-site-transect. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian chain chain A 10-meter chain to be used in a linear transect method of measurement A 1-meter chain may be laid across a coral reef surface so that it follows the topography of the coral reef surface with descriptions of the coral made where each link touches the coral. swimmer/diver swimmer/diver not an instrument - use as observation type visual observation visual observation not an instrument - maybe an observation type