Coral reef ecosystem program standard operating procedures : data collection for rapid ecological assessment fish surveys.

Standardized protocols for monitoring reef fish populations are established to support long-term ecological assessments and conservation efforts in the Pacific. The document provides detailed guidelines for training, sampling, and data entry under the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP), led by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP). These procedures apply across 40 sites in the Hawaiian Archipelago, Mariana Archipelago, American Samoa, and remote Pacific Islands. Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys employ stratified random sampling to evaluate reef fish populations and benthic habitats, ensuring consistency and comparability in data collection. The protocols aim to inform ecosystem management and policy decisions for UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Ayotte, P., McCoy, K., Heenan, A., Williams, Ivor D. (Ivor Douglas), & Zamzow, J. P. (2 C.E.). Coral reef ecosystem program standard operating procedures : data collection for rapid ecological assessment fish surveys. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5SN06ZT