Hawaiian Coral Reef Resource Fish Survey Data 2005

Resource-fish survey data was collected via timed-swims at 53 coral reef sites across West Hawaii and Maui in 2005. The dataset resulted from a project to develop an integrated, statewide coral reef monitoring scheme for Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources. It includes trials of new 'Resource-Fish' and 'Benthic Characterization' methodologies intended to improve management of reef fisheries.

Use Cases

• Assessing populations of large, mobile fish species targeted by recreational and commercial fisheries.
• Comparing new 'Resource-Fish' survey methodologies against established alternative approaches.
• Informing the development of standardized monitoring toolkits for state aquatic resource agencies.
• Analyzing fish distribution and community structure in relation to benthic habitat characteristics.

Strengths

• Provides data from 53 distinct survey sites (14 in West Hawaii, 39 in Maui).
• Represents a foundational project that led to an adopted, statewide monitoring scheme.
• Data collection employed a structured, repeated-measures design at West Hawaii sites (each surveyed 4 times for fish).

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are not provided in any source.
• Metadata conflict: one platform lists a last updated date of 2026-03-06, while another indicates the data is from 2005.
• Dataset size, row count, and license information are uniformly absent.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Field surveys using timed-swim 'Resource-Fish' methodology.

Time Range

2005

Freshness

2005-11-30

Geography

Coral reef sites off West Hawaii (Big Island) and Maui, Main Hawaiian Islands.