Fish diversity in central and southern California using fish catch and effort data from the Recreational Fisheries Information Network

This dataset was provided by the Recreational Fisheries Information Network (RecFIN), and contained GPS coordinates for 680 CPFV trips during 1999 and 2001 at depths ranging from 0 - 2200 m. Fishers targeted specific species during each trip, and visited between 1 and 22 locations. Each trip/location combination was considered a unique site and was used as a sample unit in analyses. RecFIN provided information on four hook and line fishing methods: free drift, stationary drift, anchor, and troll. The trolling trips were removed before analysis because they targeted specific pelagic species and therefore provide limited information about diversity. The final data set analyzed for diversity contained information on 130 fish species at 4085 trip/location combinations. Diversity was calculated for each trip/location using the Shannon Index of diversity. Using ArcGIS, 5 x 5 minute grids were created and mean diversity was calculated for each grid cell containing data.