gov.noaa.nodc:0316344 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 2026-07-01T16:08:10Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) FWC FIM data Analyses for Blue Crabs in Northern Indian River Lagoon from 19960101 to 20231231 (NCEI Accession 0316344) 2026-07-01 publication 2026-07-01 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0316344 NCEI Archive Management System 0316344 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 Hyun Jung Cho Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) https://www.cookman.edu/ HTTPS Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) https://www.cookman.edu/ HTTPS Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Hyun Jung Cho Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) choh@cookman.edu https://www.cookman.edu/ HTTPS Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Jackson Evans (Bethune-Cookman University) Hyun Jung Cho Bethune-Cookman University https://www.cookman.edu/ HTTPS Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) website Institution web page information author Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) https://www.cookman.edu/ HTTPS Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital This dataset contains fisheries independent sampling data collected by FWC using a stratified-random sampling design. It includes blue crab abundance, size structure, and various environmental variables (see below) to assess habitat associated and long-term trends in the Indian River Lagoon. These data were compiled and analyzed to evaluate long-term trends in blue crab population structure within the northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River Lagoon regions of Florida. Specifically, annual mean carapace width and relative abundance metrics were used to examine temporal variability in blue crab demographics and potential relationships with benthic habitat change, seagrass decline, and environmental variability Funding Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pending 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 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0316344 Graphic not available. PNG 0316344 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2026-05-13 publication LONGITUDE SALINITY WATER TEMPERATURE theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS clock GPS tide gauge visual analysis visual estimate visual observation instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS in situ model output theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Bethune-Cookman University dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Bethune-Cookman University dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems project Provider Project Names EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN TEMPERATURE > WATER TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > SALINITY theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 BottomVegCover CW Effort Emerging Getis-Ord Gi* Hotspot Analysis Results Enddepth Estuary FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Sampling Points FishHealth Gear Getis-Ord Gi* Hotspot Analysis Results Grid Indian River Lagoon Sub-Lagoon Extent Map (IRL_map Shapefile) Kernel Density Interpolation with Barriers Rasters Lagitude Month NumAtSize Reference Sampling_Date Sex StartDepth StartTime Study Area Boundary Map (study_area Shapefile) Tide TimeZone WindDirection WindSpeed Wng_dpth Year Zone theme Provider Keywords Derived geospatial dataset Derived geospatial dataset (GIS vector shapefile) Derived spatial dataset Derived spatiotemporal statistical dataset GIS vector shapefile theme Provider Observation Categories CLOCKS GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS TIDE GAUGES > TIDE GAUGES VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2) ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2), base map layers sourced from Esri and NOAA coastal datasets Effort Measure of sampling effort (e.g., tow duration, area swept) none Important for CPUE standardization Emerging Hot Spot Analysis tool Field instrument Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program, GPS-based field sampling GPS-based field sampling locations NA Pre-determined YSI depth stick graduated measuring device ruler instrument Provider Instruments Northern Indian River Lagoon place Provider Place Names 0WPH0W Send2NCEI Submission Package ID Data in this archival information package are not currently available for public download from NCEI. Please contact NCEI directly for access to these data. accessLevel: restricted public otherRestrictions Cite as: Jackson Evans (Bethune-Cookman University) Hyun Jung Cho (2026). FWC FIM data Analyses for Blue Crabs in Northern Indian River Lagoon from 19960101 to 20231231 (NCEI Accession 0316344). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Unpublished Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0316344. 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. license This dataset has been dedicated to the public domain under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0) eng; USA utf8 environment oceans -80.9 -80.55 27.85 28.75 1996-01-01 2023-12-31 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. Data in this archival information package are not currently available for public download from NCEI. Please contact NCEI directly for access to these data. Originator data format https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0316344 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/316344 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page. offlineAccess https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/316344 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page. offlineAccess https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Users may contact NCEI for more information and to request access to the archived data. User requests must be approved by NCEI and are subject to order fulfillment constraints. offlineAccess dataset Parameter or Variable: Reference (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Unique identifier for each sampling event or record. Used to track individual sampling entries; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Estuary (measured); Units: Categorical (Abbreviated Name); Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Estuary Name/code of estuarine system In this study: Indian River Lagoon system; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Gear (measured); Units: Categorical (Type); Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Type of sampling gear used, typically seine or otter trawl; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Effort (measured); Units: NA; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: Effort Measure of sampling effort (e.g., tow duration, area swept) none Important for CPUE standardization; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Measure of sampling effort (e.g., tow duration, area swept) Important for CPUE standardization; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Longitude (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS; Sampling and Analyzing Method: WGS84 coordinate system; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Lagitude (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: GPS; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Latitude of sampling location; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: StartDepth (measured); Units: meters (m); Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: depth stick; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Water depth at beginning of sampling event; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Zone (measured); Units: categorical (A–H); Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: FIM sampling zone designation; Used to account for spatial sampling structure; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Grid (measured); Units: Caterogical; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Spatial grid cell identifier; Used by FIM for stratified sampling design; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Wng_dpth (measured); Units: meters; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: NA; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Mean or wing depth of sampling gear. Reflects effective fishing depth; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Enddepth (measured); Units: meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: graduated measuring device; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Water depth at end of sampling event; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: StartTime (measured); Units: HH:MM:SS; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: clock; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Time sampling began; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: TimeZone (measured); Units: categorical; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: Pre-determined; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Time zone of sampling event; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Sampling_Date (measured); Units: YYYY-MM-DD; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: clock; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Date of sampling event; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Year (measured); Units: YYYY; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: clock; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Year of sampling; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Month (measured); Units: integer (1-12); Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: clock; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: BottomVegCover (measured); Units: percent (%); Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual estimate; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Percent cover of submerged aquatic vegetation. Categorized into Low-Very High for analyses.; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Temperature (measured); Units: °C; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: YSI; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Salinity (measured); Units: psu; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: YSI; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Salinity of water; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: WindDirection (measured); Units: categorical; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Field instrument; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Direction of wind at time of sampling; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: WindSpeed (measured); Units: m/s; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Field instrument; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Wind speed at time of sampling; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Tide (measured); Units: categorical; Observation Category: model output; Sampling Instrument: Tide gauge; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Tidal stage during sampling; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: FishHealth (measured); Units: categorical; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: General health condition of sampled organisms. Not applicable for blue crab data; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Sex (measured); Units: categorical; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Sex classification of blue crab. Includes M, F, E (immature), G (mature), H (egg-bearing), U (unknown); Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: CW (measured); Units: millimeters (mm); Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: ruler; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Carapace width of blue crab; Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: NumAtSize (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual analysis; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Number of crabs at a given size class per sample. Used as proxy for abundance (CPUE); Data Quality Method: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fim/stratified/ Parameter or Variable: Study Area Boundary Map (study_area Shapefile) (measured); Units: Geographic coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS 84), distances displayed in kilometers; Observation Category: Derived geospatial dataset (GIS vector shapefile); Sampling Instrument: ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2), base map layers sourced from Esri and NOAA coastal datasets; Sampling and Analyzing Method: A polygon shapefile representing the study area boundary within the northern Indian River Lagoon system was created in ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2). The study area extent was defined to encompass the primary regions of interest, including the Indian River and Banana River sub-lagoons, based on the spatial coverage of fisheries-independent monitoring (FIM) sampling and seagrass survey data used in this study. Boundaries were delineated using existing hydrographic datasets and manually refined to follow lagoon shorelines and barrier island features. The shapefile was projected to WGS 84 to ensure consistency with all spatial datasets used in subsequent analyses. An inset map of Florida was included to provide regional context for the study area location. Parameter or Variable: Indian River Lagoon Sub-Lagoon Extent Map (IRL_map Shapefile) (measured); Units: Geographic coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS 84), distances displayed in kilometers; Observation Category: Derived geospatial dataset (GIS vector shapefile); Sampling Instrument: ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2), base map layers sourced from Esri and NOAA coastal datasets; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Polygon shapefiles representing the spatial extent of the Banana River, Indian River, and Mosquito Lagoon sub-lagoons were compiled and delineated in ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2). Boundaries were derived from existing hydrographic and lagoon system datasets and visually refined to match known geomorphological features of the Indian River Lagoon system. The shapefile was projected to WGS 84 for consistency with other spatial datasets used in this study. Additional map elements, including major hydrologic inputs (St. Johns River, C-44 Canal), were manually annotated for contextual reference. The final map was produced to illustrate the study area and spatial segmentation used in subsequent analyses of blue crab distribution and benthic habitat variability. Parameter or Variable: Emerging Getis-Ord Gi* Hotspot Analysis Results (measured); Units: decimal degrees, z-scores, confidence interval (%); Observation Category: Derived spatiotemporal statistical dataset; Sampling Instrument: Emerging Hot Spot Analysis tool; Sampling and Analyzing Method: A polygon shapefile representing the results of an Emerging Hot Spot Analysis was generated in ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2) using spatially and temporally structured blue crab abundance data derived from the FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program. Input features consisted of georeferenced sampling locations aggregated into a space-time cube, where observations were binned spatially (hexagonal grid) and temporally (multi-year intervals) to evaluate trends in clustering over time. The Emerging Getis-Ord Gi* statistic was applied to identify statistically significant spatiotemporal patterns in blue crab abundance across the Indian River Lagoon system. Parameter or Variable: FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Sampling Points (measured); Units: Geographic coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS 84), distances displayed in kilometers; Observation Category: Derived geospatial dataset (GIS vector shapefile); Sampling Instrument: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program, GPS-based field sampling; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Point shapefiles representing Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) sampling locations were compiled from the FWC FIM dataset and imported into ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2). Each point corresponds to an individual sampling event location within the Indian River Lagoon system and includes associated zone classifications (A-H) based on the FIM stratified sampling design. Coordinates were originally recorded in geographic format and projected to WGS 84 for consistency with other spatial datasets used in this study. Points were symbolized by zone to visualize spatial distribution and sampling coverage across the lagoon. Parameter or Variable: Getis-Ord Gi* Hotspot Analysis Results (measured); Units: Geographic coordinates in decimal degrees, z-scores and confidence intervals; Observation Category: GIS vector shapefile; Sampling Instrument: ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2); Sampling and Analyzing Method: A point shapefile representing the results of a Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis was generated in ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2) using spatially referenced blue crab abundance data derived from the FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program. Input features consisted of georeferenced sampling locations with associated abundance metrics (NumAtSize). The Getis-Ord Gi* statistic was applied to identify statistically significant clusters of high (hot spots) and low (cold spots) values across the Indian River Lagoon system. A fixed distance band was used to define spatial relationships among neighboring features, and statistical significance was evaluated using z-scores and corresponding p-values. Results were classified into confidence intervals (90%, 95%, and 99%) to distinguish levels of clustering significance. The output shapefile was projected to WGS 84 and symbolized to display spatial patterns of blue crab density, with red indicating significant hot spots, blue indicating significant cold spots, and gray indicating non-significant areas. Parameter or Variable: FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Sampling Points (measured); Units: distances displayed in kilometers, Geographic coordinates in decimal degrees; Observation Category: Derived geospatial dataset; Sampling Instrument: GPS-based field sampling locations; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Point shapefiles representing Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) sampling locations were compiled from the FWC FIM dataset and imported into ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2). Each point corresponds to an individual sampling event location within the Indian River Lagoon system and includes associated zone classifications (A-H) based on the FIM stratified sampling design. Coordinates were originally recorded in geographic format and projected to WGS 84 for consistency with other spatial datasets used in this study. Points were symbolized by zone to visualize spatial distribution and sampling coverage across the lagoon. Parameter or Variable: Kernel Density Interpolation with Barriers Rasters (measured); Units: Raster cell values represent relative blue crab density; Observation Category: Derived spatial dataset; Sampling Instrument: ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Three raster surfaces were generated using the Kernel Interpolation with Barriers (KIB) tool in ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.2) to estimate continuous spatial patterns of blue crab density across the Indian River Lagoon system for three time periods: 1997-1999, 2007-2009, and 2015-2017. Input data consisted of georeferenced FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) sampling locations with associated abundance metrics (NumAtSize). The KIB method applies a kernel density function to interpolate values between sampled locations while incorporating physical barriers (shoreline boundaries and barrier islands) to constrain interpolation within the lagoon system and prevent unrealistic smoothing across land. A consistent search radius and cell size were applied across all time periods to ensure comparability. Resulting raster outputs represent relative density surfaces, where higher values indicate areas of greater blue crab concentration and lower values indicate reduced density. Each raster was exported as a TIFF file and projected to match the coordinate system used in the broader spatial analysis framework. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian clock clock An instrument for measuring time. GPS GPS Global Positioning System receiver satellite-based instrument used for geo-location, positioning and navigation tide gauge tide gauge a device to measure the tidal height visual analysis visual analysis visual analysis and measurement of sample materials use visual analysis with observation types of visual estimate and/or visual observation visual estimate visual estimate not an instrument - maybe an observation type visual observation visual observation not an instrument - maybe an observation type