Large-Bodied Fish Surveys from American Samoa Coral Reefs

NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program collected these data through towed-diver surveys in American Samoa. The dataset records the number, size, and species of large-bodied fishes observed within a standardized visual transect. This monitoring effort is led by NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and Coral Reef Ecosystem Program.

Use Cases

• Analyzing species composition and size structure of large-bodied reef fish assemblages.
• Monitoring temporal changes in fish populations as part of long-term coral reef health assessments.
• Modeling spatial distribution of fish species around American Samoa.
• Investigating relationships between fish communities and broader coral reef ecosystem dynamics.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a standardized NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) protocol, ensuring methodological consistency.
• Surveys focus on large-bodied fishes, a key ecological and fisheries indicator group for reef health.
• The dataset is hosted by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), a recognized environmental data archive.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting detailed technical assessment.
• The exact temporal range of data collection is not specified, preventing analysis of time-series length.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' metadata, with one listing a 2026 date and another listing null.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP).

Collection Method

Towed-diver surveys recording fish number, size, and species within a visually estimated 5-meter transect on either side and 10 meters in front of the diver.

Time Range

null

Freshness

2026-03-05 22:31:11.436208

Geography

American Samoa