CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Swains Island, American Samoa in 2008

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Title:
CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Swains Island, American Samoa in 2008
Abstract:
To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 18 February - 19 March 2008, reef fish assessment surveys were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise HI0802 in the American Samoa at biennial intervals by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, 17 REA sites were surveyed at Swains Island in the American Samoa. At the specific REA sites, fish biologists along with coral biologists, algal biologists and marine invertebrate zoologist entered the water and conducted a fine-scale (~300 m2) and high degree of taxonomic resolution REA survey to assess and monitor species composition, abundance, percent cover, size distribution, diversity, and general health of fish, corals, macro-invertebrates, and algae in shallow-water (< 35 m) habitats. Reef fish assessment surveys were focused on cataloging the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density [# fish 100 m-2] and biomass density [kg 100 m-2]) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages. Three complementary noninvasive underwater survey methods were used, including belt-transect, stationary point count, and roving-diver surveys. For all methods, fish were identified at the species level, when possible, and assigned to a size bin ranging from 1 to 200 cm based on a visual estimate of total fish length. Belt-transect (BLT) surveys were used to quantify the entire diurnal fish community (all size classes). In belt-transect surveys, two fish biologists swam side-by-side along three consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines. The BLT team swam each transect two times. During the initial swim-out, each fish diver recorded all fish larger than 20 cm observed within a 4-m wide belt perpendicular to their respective side of the transect (200 m2 area per line, 100 m2 per diver). On the return swim, each fish diver recorded all fish less than 20 cm observed within a 2-m wide belt (100 m2 area per line, 50 m2 per diver). The survey of large fish took approximately 5 min to complete while the survey of smaller fish took about 10 min to complete. All reef-associated fish, including those in the water column (including planktivores), were counted. Any coastal pelagic species (e.g., clupeids [sardines], belonids [beakfish], antherinids [silversides]) seen near the surface were not recorded. The stationary point count (SPC) method were used to quantify larger, more mobile reef fish species that can be missed on belt-transect surveys. In stationary point count survey, a fish biologist swam approximately 15 m away from a transect line concurrently being surveyed by the other two BLT fish biologists. The SPC biologist then recorded all fish greater than 25 cm in length that passed within a visually estimated 20-m diameter cylinder centered on the diver's fixed position (10-m radius, total area = 314 m2). The survey time for each stationary point count survey was 5 min and a total of four stationary point count surveys were conducted at each REA site. Roving-diver surveys were followed belt-transect and stationary point count surveys. As diver bottom time permitted, the fish assessment team conducted random swim surveys throughout the REA site area, recording, to the species level or the lowest recognizable taxon, the presence of reef fish not encountered during previous methods.
Supplemental_Information:
Maximum depth was 23 meters. Fish species observed: Year Region Island Species TaxonName 2008 SAMOA Swains ABSO Abudefduf sordidus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACAC Acanthurus achilles 2008 SAMOA Swains ACBL Acanthurus blochii 2008 SAMOA Swains ACGU Acanthurus guttatus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACLI Acanthurus lineatus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACMA Acanthurus maculiceps 2008 SAMOA Swains ACMT Acanthurus mata 2008 SAMOA Swains ACNC Acanthurus nigricans 2008 SAMOA Swains ACNI Acanthurus nigricauda 2008 SAMOA Swains ACNF Acanthurus nigrofuscus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACNR Acanthurus nigroris 2008 SAMOA Swains ACOL Acanthurus olivaceus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACPY Acanthurus pyroferus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACSP Acanthurus sp 2008 SAMOA Swains ACTH Acanthurus thompsoni 2008 SAMOA Swains ACTR Acanthurus triostegus 2008 SAMOA Swains ACXA Acanthurus xanthopterus 2008 SAMOA Swains AMSC Amanses scopas 2008 SAMOA Swains AMCH Amphiprion chrysopterus 2008 SAMOA Swains ANCA Anampses caeruleopunctatus 2008 SAMOA Swains ANME Anampses melanurus 2008 SAMOA Swains ANTW Anampses twistii 2008 SAMOA Swains APFU Aphareus furca 2008 SAMOA Swains APVI Aprion virescens 2008 SAMOA Swains BAUN Balistapus undulatus 2008 SAMOA Swains BAVI Balistoides viridescens 2008 SAMOA Swains BECH Belonoperca chabanaudi 2008 SAMOA Swains BLEN Blenniidae sp 2008 SAMOA Swains BOAX Bodianus axillaris 2008 SAMOA Swains CATE Caesio teres 2008 SAMOA Swains CACA Calotomus carolinus 2008 SAMOA Swains CAAM Canthigaster amboinensis 2008 SAMOA Swains CAMC Caracanthus maculatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CAOR Carangoides orthogrammus 2008 SAMOA Swains CAIG Caranx ignobilis 2008 SAMOA Swains CAME Caranx melampygus 2008 SAMOA Swains CASE Caranx sexfasciatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CAML Carcharhinus melanopterus 2008 SAMOA Swains CEFL Centropyge flavissima 2008 SAMOA Swains CELO Centropyge loricula 2008 SAMOA Swains CEAR Cephalopholis argus 2008 SAMOA Swains CELE Cephalopholis leopardus 2008 SAMOA Swains CESP Cephalopholis spiloparaea 2008 SAMOA Swains CEUR Cephalopholis urodeta 2008 SAMOA Swains CEOC Cetoscarus ocellatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHAU Chaetodon auriga 2008 SAMOA Swains CHCI Chaetodon citrinellus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHEP Chaetodon ephippium 2008 SAMOA Swains CHOR Chaetodon ornatissimus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHPW Chaetodon pelewensis 2008 SAMOA Swains CHQU Chaetodon quadrimaculatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHRE Chaetodon reticulatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHSE Chaetodon semeion 2008 SAMOA Swains CHUN Chaetodon unimaculatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHCH Chanos chanos 2008 SAMOA Swains CHUD Cheilinus undulatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CHFN Chlorurus frontalis 2008 SAMOA Swains CHMC Chlorurus microrhinos 2008 SAMOA Swains CHAC Chromis acares 2008 SAMOA Swains CHAG Chromis agilis 2008 SAMOA Swains CHAL Chromis alpha 2008 SAMOA Swains CHIO Chromis iomelas 2008 SAMOA Swains CHMA Chromis margaritifer 2008 SAMOA Swains CHVA Chromis vanderbilti 2008 SAMOA Swains CHXA Chromis xanthura 2008 SAMOA Swains CHCY Chrysiptera cyanea 2008 SAMOA Swains CIPI Cirrhitus pinnulatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CISP Cirripectes sp 2008 SAMOA Swains CISR Cirripectes springeri 2008 SAMOA Swains CIST Cirripectes stigmaticus 2008 SAMOA Swains CIVR Cirripectes variolosus 2008 SAMOA Swains COAY Coris aygula 2008 SAMOA Swains COGA Coris gaimard 2008 SAMOA Swains CTCY Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus 2008 SAMOA Swains CTFL Ctenochaetus flavicauda 2008 SAMOA Swains CTHA Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis 2008 SAMOA Swains CTMA Ctenochaetus marginatus 2008 SAMOA Swains CTSR Ctenochaetus striatus 2008 SAMOA Swains DATR Dascyllus trimaculatus 2008 SAMOA Swains ELBI Elagatis bipinnulata 2008 SAMOA Swains EPSL Epinephelus spilotoceps 2008 SAMOA Swains EPTA Epinephelus tauvina 2008 SAMOA Swains EVAL Eviota albolineata 2008 SAMOA Swains EVGU Eviota guttata 2008 SAMOA Swains FOFL Forcipiger flavissimus 2008 SAMOA Swains FOLO Forcipiger longirostris 2008 SAMOA Swains FUDU Fusigobius duospilus 2008 SAMOA Swains GNAU Gnathodentex aureolineatus 2008 SAMOA Swains GOVA Gomphosus varius 2008 SAMOA Swains GRAL Gracila albomarginata 2008 SAMOA Swains GYJA Gymnothorax javanicus 2008 SAMOA Swains GYME Gymnothorax meleagris 2008 SAMOA Swains HAHO Halichoeres hortulanus 2008 SAMOA Swains HAME Halichoeres melasmapomus 2008 SAMOA Swains HAOR Halichoeres ornatissimus 2008 SAMOA Swains HEFA Hemigymnus fasciatus 2008 SAMOA Swains HETH Hemitaurichthys thompsoni 2008 SAMOA Swains HEMO Heniochus monoceros 2008 SAMOA Swains LAUN Labrichthys unilineatus 2008 SAMOA Swains WRAS Labridae sp 2008 SAMOA Swains LABI Labroides bicolor 2008 SAMOA Swains LADI Labroides dimidiatus 2008 SAMOA Swains LARU Labroides rubrolabiatus 2008 SAMOA Swains LAPO Labropsis polynesica 2008 SAMOA Swains LAXA Labropsis xanthonota 2008 SAMOA Swains LETA Lepidozygus tapeinosoma 2008 SAMOA Swains LEOL Lethrinus olivaceus 2008 SAMOA Swains LEXA Lethrinus xanthochilus 2008 SAMOA Swains LUBO Lutjanus bohar 2008 SAMOA Swains LUFU Lutjanus fulvus 2008 SAMOA Swains LUMO Lutjanus monostigma 2008 SAMOA Swains LUWH Luzonichthys whitleyi 2008 SAMOA Swains MAMA Macolor macularis 2008 SAMOA Swains MANI Macolor niger 2008 SAMOA Swains MAME Macropharyngodon meleagris 2008 SAMOA Swains MENI Melichthys niger 2008 SAMOA Swains MEVI Melichthys vidua 2008 SAMOA Swains MOGR Monotaxis grandoculis 2008 SAMOA Swains MYBE Myripristis berndti 2008 SAMOA Swains NAAN Naso annulatus 2008 SAMOA Swains NABR Naso brevirostris 2008 SAMOA Swains NACA Naso caesius 2008 SAMOA Swains NAHE Naso hexacanthus 2008 SAMOA Swains NALI Naso lituratus 2008 SAMOA Swains NAUN Naso unicornis 2008 SAMOA Swains NAVL Naso vlamingii 2008 SAMOA Swains NEAR Neocirrhites armatus 2008 SAMOA Swains NEOP Neoniphon opercularis 2008 SAMOA Swains NONE no individuals seen 2008 SAMOA Swains NOTA Novaculichthys taeniourus 2008 SAMOA Swains OSCU Ostracion cubicus 2008 SAMOA Swains OSME Ostracion meleagris 2008 SAMOA Swains OXDI Oxycheilinus digramma 2008 SAMOA Swains OXRH Oxycheilinus rhodochrous 2008 SAMOA Swains OXUN Oxycheilinus unifasciatus 2008 SAMOA Swains PAAR Paracirrhites arcatus 2008 SAMOA Swains PAFO Paracirrhites forsteri 2008 SAMOA Swains PAHE Paracirrhites hemistictus 2008 SAMOA Swains PAMU Parupeneus multifasciatus 2008 SAMOA Swains PLTA Plagiotremus tapeinosoma 2008 SAMOA Swains PLOR Platax orbicularis 2008 SAMOA Swains PLDI Plectroglyphidodon dickii 2008 SAMOA Swains PLIM Plectroglyphidodon imparipennis 2008 SAMOA Swains PLJO Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus 2008 SAMOA Swains PLPH Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis 2008 SAMOA Swains DAMS Pomacentridae sp 2008 SAMOA Swains PSDI Pseudanthias dispar 2008 SAMOA Swains PSPA Pseudanthias pascalus 2008 SAMOA Swains PSFL Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus 2008 SAMOA Swains PSEV Pseudocheilinus evanidus 2008 SAMOA Swains PSHE Pseudocheilinus hexataenia 2008 SAMOA Swains PSOC Pseudocheilinus octotaenia 2008 SAMOA Swains PSTE Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia 2008 SAMOA Swains PSMO Pseudodax moluccanus 2008 SAMOA Swains PTTI Pterocaesio tile 2008 SAMOA Swains PYDI Pygoplites diacanthus 2008 SAMOA Swains RHRE Rhinecanthus rectangulus 2008 SAMOA Swains SAMI Sargocentron microstoma 2008 SAMOA Swains SASP Sargocentron spiniferum 2008 SAMOA Swains SATI Sargocentron tiere 2008 SAMOA Swains SCFO Scarus forsteni 2008 SAMOA Swains SCOV Scarus oviceps 2008 SAMOA Swains SCPS Scarus psittacus 2008 SAMOA Swains SCRU Scarus rubroviolaceus 2008 SAMOA Swains SCSP Scarus sp 2008 SAMOA Swains SCXA Scarus xanthopleura 2008 SAMOA Swains STAL Stegastes albifasciatus 2008 SAMOA Swains STFA Stegastes fasciolatus 2008 SAMOA Swains SUBU Sufflamen bursa 2008 SAMOA Swains THAM Thalassoma amblycephalum 2008 SAMOA Swains THLU Thalassoma lutescens 2008 SAMOA Swains THQU Thalassoma quinquevittatum 2008 SAMOA Swains TROB Triaenodon obesus 2008 SAMOA Swains ZACO Zanclus cornutus 2008 SAMOA Swains ZERO Zebrasoma rostratum 2008 SAMOA Swains ZESC Zebrasoma scopas 2008 SAMOA Swains ZEVE Zebrasoma veliferum
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 20100320, CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Swains Island, American Samoa in 2008.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -171.0982965
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -171.0573416
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: -11.04197284
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: -11.07381158
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 16-Mar-2008
    Ending_Date: 18-Mar-2008
    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?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees. The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80 (GRS80).
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.2572236.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      Depth_Resolution: 1
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit Depth Coordinate Included with Horizontal Coordinates
  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)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    "Marc Nadon, Paul Brown, Kevin O'Brien, Paula Ayotte", Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Attn: Ivor Williams
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808 725-5360 (voice)
    808 725-5429 (FAX)
    nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
    Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred

Why was the data set created?

Part of a long-term monitoring program at biennial intervals which documents the state of the reefs.

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: Unknown (process 1 of 1)
    REA surveys are investigations that provide a high degree of taxonomic resolution for coral, algae, other macroinvertebrate, and reef fish communities. The surveys were conducted using a combination of dive teams which generally included a two to three person fish team, a two person coral/coral disease team, and a combined team of two algae biologists and one macroinvertebrate biologist. The majority of REA surveys were conducted along the forereef slopes of individual islands at depths between 10 and 20 m. However, additional surveyed habitats included a lagoonal-type patch reef and offshore oceanic banks. During REA surveys, biological assessment teams follow highly structured protocols that are repeated at each REA site. Upon arrival at an REA site, three teams of divers enter the water over spaced time intervals. The fish team firstly enters the water and deploys a 25-m transect line. Two of the fish divers begin to survey along that transect while the remaining fish diver begins stationary point count assessments in the general vicinity. After approximately 20 min, the coral team enters the water and begins to work along the first transect line. By this time the fish team has deployed and begun surveys along a second 25-m transect. About 10 min later, the algal/invertebrate team enters the water and begins surveying the first transect. In total, the fish team surveys three transects at each site (transects 1, 2, and 3), and the coral and algal/invertebrate teams survey transects 1 and 2. The sampling effort takes between 60 and 80 min to complete. The selection of REA sites was made in close consultation with Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) and local agencies. Factors considered during REA site selection included: (1) ensuring a range of sample sites representative of the benthic and reef fish habitats around each island; (2) selecting a mixture of sites within and outside of marine protected areas; (3) selecting a mixture of both 'impacted' and 'least impacted' sites; (4) selecting some sites adjacent to local villages, and (5) selecting a number of sites that could be compared to and complement previous assessment and monitoring work as well as future coral reef monitoring proposed by CRAG and local agencies. It is important to note that access to REA sites can be limited by wave exposure, weather conditions, and other environmental factors such as currents, which can affect the ability to resurvey sites between years. Transect placement was guided by: (1) a focus on hard-bottom communities; (2) deploying lines along an isobath to the extent possible at each site, and (3) laying the transect lines into the prevailing current.
  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 at each site were made by three divers who are experts in fish taxonomy. The team of three REA fish divers rotated roles with two divers performing belt-transect surveys and one diver performing stationary point counts at each survey site. Observations were periodically checked during the expedition for consistency between divers, and little discrepancy was ever noted between divers. It should be noted, however, that this data set is quite large, and probably includes typographical or other errors that might be discovered at a future date.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    GPS unit
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    The survey sites were selected to be representative of the coral reef habitats at this reef system. Efforts were made to include broad spatial coverage of the reef area, but weather conditions or other environmental constraints may have precluded the team from surveying windward or exposed sites.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed at this location, and were conducted by the same scientists. Periodic examination of the data through the duration of the trip showed no signs of diver bias or other discrepancies.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: Data are available two years following data collection date.
Use_Constraints:
Please cite CRED when using the data. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Attn: CRED Data Management Team
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808 725-5360 (voice)
    808 725-5429 (FAX)
    nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
    Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Offline Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA 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?
  5. Is there some other way to get the data?
    Contact CRED data management team for information
  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    Contact CRED data management team for information

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 26-May-2019
Last Reviewed: 10-Sep-2009
Metadata author:
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA IRC
Honolulu, HI
USA

808 725-5360 (voice)
808 725-5429 (FAX)
nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred
Metadata standard:
the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
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