Fish biodiversity of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, Southwestern Atlantic: an updated database

Primary data was acquired during three scientific diving expeditions to the VTC seamounts and islands, in 2009 (12-26 March) and 2011 (3-26 February and 1-18 April). These expeditions covered the photic and upper mesophotic zones (17–120 m depth) of the two islands and eight seamounts: Almirante Saldanha, Vitória, Eclaireur, Jaseur, "Unnamed" (Columbia Bank in [35]), Davis, Dogaressa and Columbia seamounts. Sampling included visual, video and photo records, as well as collection of voucher specimens by divers (hand nets and spear-guns in April 2011) using technical open-circuit SCUBA or closed-circuit rebreathers (Megalodon®) with mixed-gases (TRIMIX and EAN). Primary data from fishery surveys (surface longline, bottom longline, midwater trawling and angling activities; see [31–34,69,105]) were incorporated in the database. Fishery sampling was performed over eight volcanic mounts (Vitória, Eclaireur, Besnard, Montague, Jaseur, Davis, Dogaressa, Columbia and Trindade) by the REVIZEE and to a much lesser extent TAMAR/ICMBio monitoring assessments.