BioSearch Marinelife Observer Program for the Northern Mariana Islands

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Coastal Resources Management Office, 20090505, BioSearch Marinelife Observer Program for the Northern Mariana Islands.

   Online Links:

   • http://www.cnmicoralreef.net/biosearch/biosearch.htm

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.118153

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.854964

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 15.309908

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 14.062272

   Bounding_Altitudes:

   Altitude_Minimum: -40

   Altitude_Maximum: 0

   Altitude_Distance_Units: meters

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Saipan, Rota, Tinian

3. What does it look like?
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 23-Feb-1995

   Ending_Date: present

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Coastal Resources Management Office
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   This work was funded in part by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Coastal Resources Management Office

   PO Box 10007

   Saipan, MP
   

   USA

   670-664-8303 (voice)

   670-664-8315 (FAX)

   Hours_of_Service: 7:30-16:30, GMT+10

Why was the data set created?

To improve understanding of occurrences of rare species such as cetacean, sea turtles, sharks and rays in the waters of the CNMI.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: Not Complete (process 1 of 1)

   Volunteer observers provided filled out forms and submitted them to the program

   Data were entered into a spreadsheet and original entries were verified with observers in cases where observations were called into question by data managers.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Observations have been subjected to initial checks during data entry and have been proofed for consistency between usage species and place names.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   Geographical positions determined by site names
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   Depths determined by Depth gauges
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Not all fields are filled in by all observers. The quantity of data filled out by boat log sitings versus divelogs differs.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The quantity of data filled out by boat log sitings versus divelogs differs.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

Data set is not for us in litigation. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the state of the art, CRMO cannot assume liability for any damages or misrepresentations caused by any inaccuracies in the data, or as a result of the data to be used on a particular system. CRMO makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   Coastal Resources Management Office

   PO Box 10007

   Saipan, MP
   

   USA

   670-664-8300 (voice)

   670-664-8315 (FAX)

   Hours_of_Service: 7:30-16:30, GMT+10

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Other Documents
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Data set is not for us in litigation. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the state of the art, CRMO cannot assume liability for any damages or misrepresentations caused by any inaccuracies in the data, or as a result of the data to be used on a particular system. CRMO makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	XLS (Microsoft Excel worksheet)
     Network links:	http://www.cnmicoralreef.net/rp/biosearch.xls

   • Cost to order the data: None

5. Is there some other way to get the data?

   Upon request, data can be provided in alternative digital formats or hard copy.

6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   Users need a program that can read Microsoft Excel files.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 29-Mar-2020
Last Reviewed: 03-Jun-2009

Metadata author:

Coastal Resources Management Office

Attn: John Starmer

PO Box 10007

Saipan, MP

USA

670-664-8300 (voice)

670-664-8315 (FAX)

Hours_of_Service: 7:30-16:30, GMT+10

Metadata standard:

FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001.1-1999)