Predicted Fish Distributions for Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

NOAA NCEI provides raster data predicting the distribution of 12 federally managed marine species in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. The dataset contains modeled outputs representing either probability of occurrence or relative abundance for species including shrimp, snapper, sea bass, and sharks. Predictions are based on statistical species-habitat relationships from survey data spanning 2003 to 2017.

Use Cases

• Assessing habitat suitability for red snapper (adults) using probability of occurrence rasters.
• Comparing seasonal distributions of shark species like spinner and blacktip sharks across spring, summer, and fall.
• Modeling trawl survey catch rates for brown shrimp and white shrimp using relative abundance predictions in individuals per kilometer.
• Evaluating essential fish habitat for juvenile and adult black sea bass in the South Atlantic region.
• Analyzing gear-specific survey results by comparing shark abundance (individuals per 100 hooks per hour) with shrimp trawl data.

Strengths

• Covers 12 distinct species and life stages, including shrimp, snapper, sea bass, and multiple shark species.
• Provides specific, survey-standardized units for predictions, such as individuals per 100 hooks per hour for sharks.
• Model outputs differentiate between probability of occurrence and relative abundance metrics for targeted analysis.
• Temporal coverage spans 15 years, from 2003 to 2017, for observing potential distribution shifts.

Limitations

• Specific row/column counts, file size, and exact raster dimensions are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2017-12-31 and another listing 2026-03-06.
• The dataset is a derived model product, not raw survey observations, limiting use for primary ecological analysis.

Provenance

Source

NOAA NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information).

Collection Method

Derived from species distribution models based on statistical species-habitat relationships applied to standardized survey data.

Time Range

2003-01-01 to 2017-12-31

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:05:40.870142

Geography

Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean regions.