Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
A multi-stage error checking process is used to verify both attribute accuracy and logical consistency throughout data production. The process includes a standardized data entry methodology, data review by in-house and external resource experts, a final Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) process, and multiple automated logical consistency checks. Quantitative data (such as densities, counts, abundances, or concentrations) provided by resource experts for inclusion in the data set may vary widely in attribute accuracy, depending upon the methodology used to collect and compile such data. For a more detailed evaluation of source data attribute accuracy, contact the sources listed in the Lineage section.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
A multi-stage error checking process, described in the above Attribute_Accuracy_Report, is used to verify both attribute accuracy and logical consistency throughout data production. This process includes multiple automated logical consistency checks that test the files for missing or duplicate data, rules for proper coding, GIS topological consistencies, and SQL SERVER(R) to ArcGIS(R) consistencies. A final review is made by the ESI manager, where the data are written to CD-ROM and the metadata are written. In the process of checking for topological and database consistencies, new ID's and RARNUM's or HUNUM's are also generated, while retaining the original RARNUM or HUNUM stored as MAPRAR and MAPHUN, respectively. The new ID's are a combination of atlas number, element number, and record number. In addition, the value used to represent the element is modified to reflect the type of feature being mapped. In the case of an element that is normally represented by a point or polygon, a value of 20 is added to the standard element value for mapping of linear features. In the case where an element usually mapped as a polygon is represented by a point, a value of 30 is added to the regular element value. The RARNUM's are also modified to include the atlas number, so multiple atlases can be combined and RARNUM's remain unique. RARNUM's are redefined on an element basis, so "resources at risk" groupings will contain only a single element. HUNUM's are also modified to include the atlas number.
Completeness_Report:
These data represent a synthesis of expert knowledge and digital data available describing fish resources in the Gulf of Mexico. General distributions of fish species were derived from sampling datasets and essential fish habitat data and descriptions. Spawning and aggregation areas were obtained from expert opinion and published documents. Protected species distributions were provided by NOAA Fisheries. These data do not necessarily represent all fish occurrences in BSEE Gulf of Mexico. The following species are included in this data set: (Species_ID, Common Name, Scientific Name [n/a if not applicable]): 109, Red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus; 126, King mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla; 127, Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus; 134, Cobia, Rachycentron canadum; 302, Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis; 305, Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus; 306, Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus; 315, Blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus; 316, Spinner shark, Carcharhinus brevipinna; 317, Bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas; 318, Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae; 319, Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi; 326, Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo; 332, Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier; 354, Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax; 356, Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili; 403, Oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus; 438, Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini; 439, Silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis; 514, Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis; 518, Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara; 519, Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus; 521, Blue marlin, Makaira nigricans; 522, Yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares; 523, Swordfish, Xiphias gladius; 526, Longbill spearfish, Tetrapturus pfluegeri; 638, Wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri; 715, Whale shark, Rhincodon typus; 776, Red grouper, Epinephelus morio; 791, Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus; 792, Skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis; 797, Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella; 798, Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus; 807, Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci; 808, Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis; 836, Bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus; 883, Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens; 886, Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran; 904, Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus; 946, Albacore, Thunnus alalunga; 967, Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus; 995, Giant manta, Manta birostris; 1002, Reef fish, n/a; 1126, Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus; 1130, Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus; 1146, Bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus; 1154, Snowy grouper, Hyporthodus niveatus; 1156, Yellowedge grouper, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus; 1159, Smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata; 1160, Blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus; 1217, Lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris; 1222, Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi; 1223, White marlin, Kajikia albida; 1275, Longfin mako, Isurus paucus; 1276, Menhaden, Brevoortia spp.; 1309, Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus; 1310, Night shark, Carcharhinus signatus; 1311, Tilefish spp., Malacanthidae; 1312, Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Spatial components for biological data layers can come from expert interviews, hardcopy, or digital sources. Some of the spatial components of the biological data layers may have been developed using regional experts who estimate concentration areas. It is difficult to estimate the positional accuracy of such data, except to state that they are compiled on hardcopy base maps with a scale of 1:1,000,000. Some of the spatial components of the biological data sets are developed from pre-existing digital or hardcopy sources and reflect the positional accuracy of these original data. Note that biological resource data by their very nature are considered "fuzzy", and this should be understood when considering the positional accuracy of vector digital objects representing these resources. See the Lineage and Process_Description sections for more information on the original source data and how these data were integrated or manipulated to create the final data set.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
BIGGS, C., B. ERISMAN, W. HEYMAN, S. KOBARA, N. FARMER, S. LOWERRE-BARBIERI, M. KARNAUSKAS, AND J. BRENNER
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
COOPERATIVE MONITORING PROGRAM FOR SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO: SPAWNING SEASONS. VERSION 2018.07
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: TABULAR DIGITAL DATA
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2018
Ending_Date: 2018
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: ERIC HOFFMAYER (NOAA FISHERIES)
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
WHALE SHARK SUMMER AGGREGATION AREA IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Type_of_Source_Media: EMAIL
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2021
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: GRUSS, ARNAUD
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
SURVEY DATA FOR PRODUCING DISTRIBUTION MAPS FOR THE ECOSYSTEM MODEL ATLANTIS-GULF OF MEXICO (GOM)
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: TABULAR DIGITAL DATA
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: HARTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI
Publisher:
GULF OF MEXICO RESEARCH INITIATIVE INFORMATION AND DATA COOPERATIVE (GRIIDC)
Other_Citation_Details: doi:10.7266/N71J984R
Online_Linkage: https://data.gulfresearchinitiative.org/data/FL.x703.000:0004
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2000
Ending_Date: 2016
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF SURVEY
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: GRUSS, ARNAUD
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
SURVEY DATA FOR PRODUCING DISTRIBUTION MAPS FOR THE PAPER ON MONITORING PROGRAMS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE GULF OF MEXICO DATA ATLAS
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: TABULAR DIGITAL DATA
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: HARTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI
Publisher:
GULF OF MEXICO RESEARCH INITIATIVE INFORMATION AND DATA COOPERATIVE (GRIIDC)
Other_Citation_Details: doi:10.7266/N7C24TV5
Online_Linkage: https://data.gulfresearchinitiative.org/data/FL.x703.000:0002
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2000
Ending_Date: 2016
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF SURVEY
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: GULF OF MEXICO FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:
FINAL REPORT: 5-YEAR REVIEW OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT REQUIREMENTS
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: DOCUMENT
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: TAMPA, FLORIDA
Publisher: GULF OF MEXICO FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Online_Linkage:
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2016
Ending_Date: 2016
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
HEYMAN, W. D., A. GRÜSS, C. R. BIGGS, S. KOBARA, N. A. FARMER, M. KARNAUSKAS, S. LOWERRE-BARBIERI, AND B. ERISMAN
Publication_Date: 2019
Title:
COOPERATIVE MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS AND ASSOCIATED FISHEIES IN THE U.S. GULF OF MEXICO
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: DOCUMENT
Other_Citation_Details: MARINE POLICY 109:103689
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103689
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2019
Ending_Date: 2019
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
HEYMAN, W., S. KOBARA, B. ERISMAN, C. BIGGS, N. FARMER, S. LOWERRE-BARBIERI, M. KARNAUSKAS, AND J. BRENNER
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
COOPERATIVE MONITORING PROGRAM FOR SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO: FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATION MAP. VERSION 2017.12
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: MAP
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: COLLEGE STATION, TX
Publisher: GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (GCOOS)
Online_Linkage: https://geo.gcoos.org/restore/fsamap/
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2017
Ending_Date: 2017
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
MARISSA NUTTALL AND GEORGE SCHMAHL (FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY)
Publication_Date: 2023
Title:
NATURAL RESOURCES OF FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (FGBNMS)
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: EXPERT KNOWLEDGE
Type_of_Source_Media: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2023
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF COMMUNICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: MURAWSKI, STEVEN A; VAZ, ANA CAROLINA
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
CATCH DATA FROM FISH COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM 2011 UNTIL 2017
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: SPREADSHEET
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: HARTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI
Publisher:
GULF OF MEXICO RESEARCH INITIATIVE INFORMATION AND DATA COOPERATIVE (GRIIDC)
Other_Citation_Details: doi:10.7266/N7G73C4N
Online_Linkage: https://data.gulfresearchinitiative.org/data/R4.x267.000:0039
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2011
Ending_Date: 2017
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF SURVEY
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA FISHERIES
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
AMENDMENT 10 TO THE 2006 CONSOLIDATED ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN: ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT (AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT)
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: DOCUMENT
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: SILVER SPRING, MD
Publisher:
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE FISEHRIES, ATLANTIC HIGLHY MIGRATORY SPECIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Online_Linkage:
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2017
Ending_Date: 2017
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA FISHERIES
Publication_Date: 2017
Title: ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: SILVER SPRING, MD
Publisher:
NOAA FISHERIES, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES, ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Online_Linkage:
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2017
Ending_Date: 2017
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA FISHERIES (NICK FARMER ET AL.)
Publication_Date: 2022
Title: PROTECTED SPECIES DATA LAYERS FOR THE U.S. GULF OF MEXICO
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Type_of_Source_Media: EMAIL
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2022
Ending_Date: 2022
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF ACCESS
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
NOAA FISHERIES OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION, HABITAT PROTECTION DIVISION
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES HABITAT AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN SHAPEFILE (AMHS_HAPC.SHP)
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2020
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
Publication_Date: 2014
Title: LOUISIANA AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER 2014 ESI FISH POLYGONS
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: SEATTLE, WA
Publisher: OFFICE OF RESPONSE AND RESTORATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE DIVISION
Online_Linkage: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download#Louisiana
Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2014
Ending_Date: 2014
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
Publication_Date: 2017
Title: SOUTHWEST PENINSULAR FLORIDA 2016 ESI FISH POLYGONS
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: VECTOR DIGITAL DATA
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: SEATTLE, WA
Publisher: OFFICE OF RESPONSE AND RESTORATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE DIVISION
Online_Linkage: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download#Florida
Type_of_Source_Media: ONLINE
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2017
Ending_Date: 2017
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF PUBLICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: WILL HEYMAN, LGL ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Publication_Date: 2022
Title: SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: EXPERT KNOWLEDGE
Type_of_Source_Media: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2022
Source_Currentness_Reference: DATE OF COMMUNICATION
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NONE
Source_Contribution: FISH INFORMATION
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Main sources of data used to depict fish distribution and seasonality include (1) protected species distributions provided by NOAA Fisheries; (2) Gulf-wide fishery sampling datasets; (3) Reef fish spawning aggregation areas identified by Heyman et al., (2019) and other resource experts; (4) essential fish habitat polygons and supporting documentation and (5) expert opinion.
Protected species data were provided by NOAA Fisheries species conservation branch. Source data consisted of a hexagonal grid indicating high and low use areas for each species. High use areas were included in the atlas with the concentration ‘High use area’ and low use areas are included in the ESI data with no concentration associated.
Economically and commercially important species were mapped to polygonal areas in the Gulf of Mexico. In order to do this, the Gulf of Mexico was divided by depth and geography (e.g. from east to west) into areas designed to capture the changes in fish communities. Geographic designations used were designed to coincide with state boundaries and NOAA statistical grids. Areas offshore of the 200m depth contour were divided into 2 polygons per geographic region based on the 2,000 m depth contour. Polygons representing areas less than 200 m depth varied by geography and are summarized as follows: TX (<50 m & 50-200 m), LA (<30 m & 30-200 m), AL (<50 m & 50-200 m), and Florida (<30 m, 30-50 m, & 50-200 m). Nearshore waters for Texas and Florida were split in to Northern and Southern areas. The resulting surface was used to aggregate point and polygonal data to a common set of polygons (hereafter ‘general distribution ESI polygons’). Highly migratory species were mapped to general distribution ESI polygons where they overlapped with essential fish habitat. Seasonality was assigned based on the EFH documentation where possible. Both seasonality and geographic distribution information was confirmed or supplemented by literature searches to identify more recent information, since the EFH polygons have not been updated since 2016.
Reef fish and coastal species were mapped based compiled fishery dependent and independent sampling datasets available from GRIIDC (Gruss 2018a & 2018b and Murawski & Vaz 2018). Each dataset gives the spatial location, along with the presence or absence of a particular species or life-history stage. Sampling data were intersected with the general distribution ESI polygons; species were included as present if they occurred in more than 1% of samples for that region. Where a species was present in more than 25% of sampling points for that region, the distribution was noted as ‘Common’. Seasonality information was obtained from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Essential Fish Habitat Descriptions (Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2016).
The above digital and/or hardcopy sources were compiled by the project biologist to create the FISH data layer. Depending on the type of source data, three general approaches are used for compiling the data layer: 1) information gathered during initial interviews and from hardcopy sources are compiled onto U.S. Geological Survey 1:1,000,000 topographic quadrangles and digitized; 2) hardcopy maps are digitized at their source scale; 3) digital data layers are evaluated and used "as is" or integrated with the hardcopy data sources. See the Lineage section for additional information on the type of source data for this data layer. The ESI, biology, and human-use data are compiled into the standard ESI digital data format. A second set of interviews with participating resource experts are conducted to review the compiled data. If necessary, edits to the FISH data layer are made based on the recommendations of the resource experts, and final hardcopy maps and digital data are created.
Process_Date: 202302
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Department of the Interior
Contact_Person:
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Program Manager
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Physical address
Address: 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd
City: New Orleans
State_or_Province: Louisiana
Postal_Code: 70123-2394
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (504) 736-0557
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: eugene.oberry@bsee.gov