Caribbean Sea Bathymetry and Backscatter Data from 2006 NOAA Cruise

NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment collected multibeam bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data in the Caribbean Sea during a 2006 research cruise aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. The mission focused on benthic characterization of coral reef habitats within the Buck Island Reef National Monument and La Parguera region of Puerto Rico. Data collection included moderate depth mapping (30-1000 meters) and underwater video from a Remotely Operated Vehicle.

Use Cases

• Creating high-resolution seafloor maps for coral reef habitat characterization using bathymetry data.
• Analyzing seabed composition and texture through acoustic backscatter measurements.
• Integrating multibeam data with existing shallow water bathymetry for comprehensive regional models.
• Supporting natural resource management decisions for U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rican marine monuments.

Strengths

• Data collection targeted priority conservation areas including Buck Island Reef National Monument and La Parguera, Puerto Rico.
• Dataset combines multiple sensor types: multibeam bathymetry, acoustic backscatter, and ROV underwater video.
• Mission was part of an ongoing, multi-year scientific research program by NOAA's CCMA.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: one lists 2006-04-02, another lists 2026-03-05 (likely a metadata error).
• License information is not specified, potentially restricting reuse.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA).

Collection Method

Collected via NOAA Ship Nancy Foster's Simrad EM1002 multibeam system and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Time Range

2006-03 21 to 2006-04-02

Freshness

2006-04-02

Geography

Caribbean Sea, specifically Buck Island Reef National Monument (north of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the La Parguera region (southwestern coast of Puerto Rico).