National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Reef Fish, including Benthic Estimate Data of the Hawaiian Archipelago since 2013

Published by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: December 19, 2025 | Last Modified: 2024-11-01T00:00:00.000+00:00

The stationary point count (SPC) method is used to conduct reef fish surveys in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. Visual estimates of benthic cover and topographic complexity are also recorded, with benthic organisms grouped into broad functional categories (e.g., 'Hard Coral', 'Macroalgae'). A stratified random sampling (StRS) design is employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S.-Pacific regions. For all regions, the survey domain encompasses the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats and the stratification includes island, reef zone, and depth, with the exception of the Main Hawaiian Islands that includes habitat structure type as well. Sampling effort is allocated based on strata area. Reef fish and benthic estimate data provided in this data set were collected during SPC surveys as part of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Ecosystem Sciences Division (formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division) led NCRMP missions around the Main Hawaiian Islands in 2013, 2016, and 2019, 2024 and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2016 & 2024. Data collected as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument funded research cruises in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2014, 2015, and 2017 are also included as these data are funded separately from but are complementary to the NCRMP-funded data. Additionally, data collected as part of a PIFSC-funded Reef Fish Survey cruise in the Main Hawaiian Islands in 2015 are included as these data are funded separately from but are complementary to the NCRMP-funded data. During the 2015 and cruise, some sites were surveyed using both open-circuit SCUBA (OC) and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR), as part of an ongoing assessment of sources of bias in survey count relating to divers' presence. The CCR data is archived separately.

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@type	dcat:Dataset
accessLevel	non-public
contactPoint	{ "fn": "Kindinger, Tye", "@type": "vcard:Contact", "hasEmail": "mailto:tye.kindinger@noaa.gov" }
describedByType	application/octet-steam
description	The stationary point count (SPC) method is used to conduct reef fish surveys in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. Visual estimates of benthic cover and topographic complexity are also recorded, with benthic organisms grouped into broad functional categories (e.g., 'Hard Coral', 'Macroalgae'). A stratified random sampling (StRS) design is employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S.-Pacific regions. For all regions, the survey domain encompasses the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats and the stratification includes island, reef zone, and depth, with the exception of the Main Hawaiian Islands that includes habitat structure type as well. Sampling effort is allocated based on strata area. Reef fish and benthic estimate data provided in this data set were collected during SPC surveys as part of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Ecosystem Sciences Division (formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division) led NCRMP missions around the Main Hawaiian Islands in 2013, 2016, and 2019, 2024 and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2016 & 2024. Data collected as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument funded research cruises in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2014, 2015, and 2017 are also included as these data are funded separately from but are complementary to the NCRMP-funded data. Additionally, data collected as part of a PIFSC-funded Reef Fish Survey cruise in the Main Hawaiian Islands in 2015 are included as these data are funded separately from but are complementary to the NCRMP-funded data. During the 2015 and cruise, some sites were surveyed using both open-circuit SCUBA (OC) and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR), as part of an ongoing assessment of sources of bias in survey count relating to divers' presence. The CCR data is archived separately.
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ERDDAP acts as a middleman between you and various remote data servers. ERDDAP offers an easy-to-use, consistent way to request data: via the OPeNDAP standard. Many datasets can also be accessed via ERDDAP's Web Map Service (WMS). ERDDAP returns data in the common file format of your choice. ERDDAP offers all data as .html table, ESRI .asc and .csv, Google Earth .kml, OPeNDAP binary, .mat, .nc, ODV .txt, .csv, .tsv, .json, and .xhtml. ERDDAP can also return a .png or .pdf image with a customized graph or map. 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Years: 2007-2019 DOI: 10.15468/tk1hwm OBIS Dataset ID: 2ae2a2bd-8412-405b-8a9f-b71adc41d4c5 OBIS provides a portal or gateway to many datasets containing information on where and when marine species have been recorded. The datasets are integrated so you can search them all seamlessly by species name, higher taxonomic level, geographic area, depth, and time; and then map and find environmental data related to the locations. There are several ways to access OBIS data: (1) Mapper, (2) API, and (3) R package. The mapper allows you to visualize and inspect subsets of OBIS data. A variety of filters (taxonomic, geographic, time, data quality) is available and multiple layers can be combined in a single view. Layers can be downloaded as CSV files. 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PIFSC Special Publication: SP-24-02. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/61902 https://doi.org/10.25923/r5y4-1w71", "downloadURL": "https://doi.org/10.25923/r5y4-1w71", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "NCRMP in the Pacific Reef Fish Brief Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "National Coral Reef Monitoring Program in the Pacific Reef Fish Brief Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. https://doi.org/10.25923/fsst-mm37. NOAA Special Publication: SP-24-05", "downloadURL": "https://doi.org/10.25923/fsst-mm37", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP)", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort.", "downloadURL": "https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/24447.pdf", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "GCMD Keyword Forum Page", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 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identifier	gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:24447
issued	2016-12-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
keyword	[ "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce", "EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH", "EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF", "743", "National Coral Reef Monitoring Program", "Numeric Data Sets > Fish Census", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Ecological Dynamics > Species Richness", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Reef fish census", "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Reef fish census > Stationary", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Coral Cover", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Rugosity", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish > Fish Assemblages", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Macroinvertebrates", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates", "FISH - CORAL REEF", "FISH CENSUS", "FISH SPECIES", "MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS", "REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - COUNT", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH", "in situ", "survey - biological", "survey - swimmer/diver", "visual estimate", "visual observation", "CORAL REEF STUDIES", "Coral Reef Conservation Program", "National Coral Reef Monitoring Program", "US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Kauai Island (22N159W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Oahu (21N157W0003)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kalawao > Kahoolawe Island (20N156W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kauai > Niihau Island (21N160W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Maui Island (20N156W0004)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Hawaii Island > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Kahoolawe Island > Kahoolawe Island (20N156W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Kauai Island > Kauai Island (22N159W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Lanai Island > Lanai Island (20N156W0002)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Maui Island > Maui Island (20N156W0004)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Molokai Island > Molokai Island (21N157W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Niihau Island > Niihau Island (21N160W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Oahu Island > Oahu (21N157W0003)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)", "North Pacific Ocean", "Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument", "HI'IALAKAI", "Oscar Elton Sette", "CRED", "CREP", "Coral Reef Ecosystem Division", "Coral Reef Ecosystem Program", "ESD", "Ecosystem Sciences Division", "PIFSC", "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center", "RAMP", "REA", "Rapid Ecological Assessment", "Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program", "Reef Fish", "SPC", "Stationary Point Count", "MHI", "Main Hawaiian Islands", "NWHI", "Northwestern Hawaiian Islands", "PMNM", "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce", "Hawaiian Archipelago" ]
landingPage	https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/24447
language	[]
license	https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified	2024-11-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
publisher	{ "name": "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center", "@type": "org:Organization" }
references	[ "https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/24447.pdf" ]
rights	otherRestrictions, unclassified
spatial	-154.806,18.919,-160.251,22.219
temporal	2013-10-01T00:00:00+00:00/2013-10-31T00:00:00+00:00
title	National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Reef Fish, including Benthic Estimate Data of the Hawaiian Archipelago since 2013