Pacific Reef Species Sightings from Towed-Diver Surveys, 2000-2017

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center recorded sightings of marine species of interest during towed-diver surveys from 2000 to 2017. Observations include sea turtles, dolphins, eels, rays, seals, and large fish species like humphead wrasse and reef sharks across coral reef habitats in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. Data for each sighting likely includes taxon name, number observed, and size in centimeters.

Use Cases

• Analyze species distribution patterns based on sightings across the Pacific Islands from 2000 to 2017
• Monitor population trends for species of interest like sea turtles and reef sharks based on recorded counts
• Assess habitat associations for large-bodied fish based on survey locations across coral reef habitats
• Study the relationship between species size and observation frequency based on recorded size in centimeters

Strengths

• Data spans 17 years of continuous monitoring from 2000 to 2017
• Observations cover multiple regions including Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and Pacific Remote Island Areas
• Sightings include detailed attributes such as taxon name, number observed, and size in centimeters

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Underwater towed-diver surveys conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Ecosystem Sciences Division

Time Range

2000 to 2017

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-14 23:02:40.127902; freshness should be verified

Geography

Coral reef habitats of the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas