National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef fish communities in the Florida Reef Tract

Coral reef fish survey data provided in this collection are from three (3) distinct regions along the Florida reef tract; 1) Dry Tortugas, 2) Florida Keys from Key West north to Miami and 3) Miami north to Martin County. These data are collected using a 2-stage, stratified random survey design. The stationary point count method (7.5m radius cylinder) is used to conduct fish surveys in Florida as part of the ongoing National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). This method collects and reports information on species composition, density, size structure, abundance and derived metrics (e.g., species richness, diversity). Lead agencies involved include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).