National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Reef Fish, including Benthic Estimate Data of the Pacific Remote Island Areas since 2014

Published by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: December 19, 2025 | Last Modified: 2025-01-01T00:00:00.000+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. The 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 Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 through 2025.

Find Related Datasets

Click any tag below to search for similar datasets

Complete Metadata

@type	dcat:Dataset
accessLevel	non-public
contactPoint	{ "fn": "Not provided - Contact data.gov", "hasEmail": "mailto:datagovsupport@gsa.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. The 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 Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 through 2025.
distribution	[ { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "V0_FISH_REA PRIAs 2014.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) conducted at Wake Atoll (HA1401) in 2014.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157572", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "PIFSC_H-15-07_2015_SOP_Fish.pdf", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program standard operating procedures: collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment fish surveys. PIFSC Administrative Report H-15-07, https://doi.org/10.7289/v5sn06zt", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157633", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "V0_FISH_REA PRIAs 2015.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) conducted during mission HA1501 in the Pacific Remote Island Areas in 2015.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157595", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "V0_FISH_REA PRIAs 2016.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) conducted during mission SE1602 to Jarvis Island of the Pacific Remote Island Areas in 2016.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157594", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "V0_FISH_REA PRIAs 2017.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) conducted at Wake and Jarvis (HA1701) in 2017.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0163747", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "ncrmp_nspc_fish_pacific", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Data have been translated by a third party to Darwin Core format and served via the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) Data Access portal: OBIS Dataset Title: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division, National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified random surveys (StRS) of reef fish in the U.S. Pacific Islands. 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. Developers can access data through the OBIS API or the R package.", "downloadURL": "https://mapper.obis.org/?datasetid=2ae2a2bd-8412-405b-8a9f-b71adc41d4c5", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Reef_Fish_Surveys_PRIAs.html", "accessURL": "https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Reef_Fish_Surveys_PRIAs.html", "description": "NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) ERDDAP web service for reef fish data from stratified random surveys conducted by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) during ESD-led NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program missions to the Pacific Remote Island Areas since 2014. 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. ERDDAP also has web pages (for humans with browsers) and RESTful web services (for computer programs).", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "V0_FISH_REA PRIAs 2018.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division conducted across the Pacific Remote Island Areas during mission HA1801 in 2018.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0183544", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "NCRMP_FISH_REA_PRIAS_2023.csv", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division conducted at various islands in the Pacific Remote Island Areas during mission RA2301 in 2023.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0290148", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "NCRMP_FISH_REA_PRIAS_2025", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "Observations from stationary point count surveys of coral reef fishes by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) conducted at Wake Atoll as a part of the Pacific National Coral Reef Monitoring Program surveys (SE2503) in 2025.", "downloadURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0308952", "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/34519.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). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords", "downloadURL": "https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "Full Metadata Record", "mediaType": "placeholder/value", "description": "View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset.", "downloadURL": "https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/34519", "describedByType": "application/octet-steam" } ]
identifier	gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:34519
issued	2025-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
keyword	[ "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC/ESD > Ecosystem Sciences Division, 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 > BENTHIC", "EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF", "EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > AQUATIC SCIENCES > FISHERIES", "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", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish", "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish > Fish Assemblages", "FISH - CORAL REEF", "FISH BIOMASS", "FISH SPECIES", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - COUNT", "SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH", "survey", "survey - biological", "survey - swimmer/diver", "visual estimate", "HI'IALAKAI", "OSCAR ELTON SETTE", "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 > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Baker Island (00N176W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Howland Island (00S176W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001)", "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Baker Island > Baker Island (00N176W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Howland Island > Howland Island (00S176W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Johnston Atoll > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001)", "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Wake Atoll > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001)", "Equatorial Pacific Ocean", "Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument", "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", "PRIA", "PRIMNM", "Pacific Remote Island Areas", "Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument", "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce", "Pacific Remote Island Areas" ]
landingPage	https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/34519
language	[]
license	https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified	2025-01-01T00:00:00.000+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/34519.pdf" ]
rights	otherRestrictions, unclassified
spatial	-159.971695,-0.38246306,-176.62678161,16.77717724
temporal	2015-01-26T00:00:00+00:00/2015-02-11T00:00:00+00:00
title	National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Reef Fish, including Benthic Estimate Data of the Pacific Remote Island Areas since 2014