Relative diversity and abundance of pelagic fauna in the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve, northwestern Australia.

Spatially explicit dataset on the relative species richness and abundance of pelagic wildlife within the western half of the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR), northwestern Australia. Data derived from deployments of midwater baited stereo video systems, as per: Letessier et al. (2013). Assessing pelagic fish populations: The application of demersal video techniques to the mid-water environment. Methods in Oceanography. Camera units were anchored to the seabed (in depths ranging from 30 to 165 metres) and sampled at a constant suspension depth of 10 metres and for an average of 190 minutes. Data expressed as species presence (1) or absence (0) and MaxN (maximum number of animals seen together in any given image frame) for each of 116 sites.

General Area Point 1: Latitude :-11.39 Longitude :126.90
General Area Point 2: Latitude :-11.39 Longitude :127.47
General Area Point 3: Latitude :-12.22 Longitude :126.90
General Area Point 4: Latitude :-12.22 Longitude :127.47

Collection Method: Stereo BRUV
Camera Orientation: Forward Facing
Camera Calibration: Calibrated
Camera Calibration Information: Calibrations were completed within an enclosed pool environment prior to the field survey.
Scoring System Used: Event Measure
Sampling Design (Survey): Generalised Random Tessellation Stratified design (with a weighting factor for seabed depth) across three survey grids of ca. 74-150 square kilometres each.
Sizing Laser: Sizing Laser Not Used
Water Column Position: Pelagic Environment
Geomorphic Class: Geomorphic Class Targeted
Geomorphic Class Information: Seafloor pinnacles of various sizes
Number Of Deployments: 116

Output of Grant: National Environmental Research Program (NERP) Marine Biodiversity Hub

Dataset authors: Prof. Jessica Meeuwig & Dr Tom Bech Letessier, Mr Phil Bouchet.

Data custodian: Prof. Jessica Meeuwig, jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au.

Citation: Meeuwig, J.M., Letessier, T.B., Bouchet, P.J. (2012). Relative diversity and abundance of pelagic fauna in the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve, northwestern Australia. University of Western Australia.