Saipan Coral Nursery Fragment Growth and Parent Colony Fragmentation through the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project (SCNPP) in the Northern Mariana Islands from 2019-06-06 to 2020-12-02 (NCEI Accession 0239041)

The data described here result from parent colony fragmentation collection and the monitoring of the fragment growth in the coral nursery through the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project (SCNPP). Parent colony survey data includes genus and species identification, collection site information including: latitude, longitude, reef name, reef zone, depth, and tag number.

Fragment growth data from the nursery includes: the nursery identifier, parent colony identifier, fragment code, genus and species name, presence/absence, and growth data.

Scoping surveys were conducted at potential parent colony collection sites around Saipan to confirm the presence of healthy target coral species for collection. Surveys were conducted in both Forereef and Lagoon reef types. Fragments were collected using an appropriate cutting tool from parent colonies of five target coral species including: Acropora. pulchra, A. globiceps, A. aspera, A. abrotanoides, and A. muricata. Wild abundance and nursery capacity determined the number of parent colonies collected for each species.

Coral fragments were, and continue to be measured by following a three-dimensional survey design, tagged with a unique identifier, and transported immediately to the nursery site where they are attached to the nursery structures using monofilament fishing line. Each nursery tree has a PVC backbone with 10 fiberglass arms, each containing 10 holes, holding a total of 100 corals per tree with monofilament line. The trees are secured to the sea floor by duckbill anchors.

All nursery fragments are monitored for growth, survival and health status through measurement utilizing athree-dimensional survey design and visual surveys. All parent colonies are surveyed at least once after fragment collection to assess the healing process.