Larval Billfish Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawai'i between 1997 and 2018

Description

This is a 20-year (1997-2018) dataset of neustonic ichthyoplankton collections from West Hawai'i and beyond focusing on four species of billfishes (Blue Marlin /Makaira nigricans/, Striped Marlin /Kajikia audax/, Shortbilled Spearfish /Tetrapturus angustirostris/, and Swordfish /Xiphias gladius/). We compiled observations of 1963 larvae over this 20- year period (from 998 discrete ichthyoplankton tows in West Hawaii), and provide specimen information and species level identifications for 1109 larvae using both existing and new genetic assignments. Additionally, we filtered these data to tows with consistent methodologies revealing 1761 larval billfishes (from 771 discrete surface tows in West Hawaii). We also constructed a thorough dataset of environmental variables (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll) associated with each occurrence of larval billfish and all absences using oceanographic data collected in-situ during cruises and satellite data. We present the first complete multispecies larval billfish dataset with coupled environmental data in the Pacific Islands Region ready for statistical analysis. This dataset will be critical for improving our understanding of how oceanographic features and environmental changes will affect larval growth, survival, and ultimately population replenishment.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
GCMD Keyword Forum Page Unknown Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords Open resource
GCMD Keyword Forum Page Unknown Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords Open resource
GCMD Keyword Forum Page Unknown Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords Open resource
GCMD Keyword Forum Page Unknown Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords Open resource
Full Metadata Record Unknown View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. Open resource
Full Metadata Record Unknown View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. Open resource
Full Metadata Record Unknown View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. Open resource
Full Metadata Record Unknown View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. Open resource
NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) PDF NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. Open resource
NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) PDF NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. Open resource
NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) PDF NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. Open resource
NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) PDF NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. Open resource
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region - Science Overview Unknown Online Resource Open resource
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region - Science Overview Unknown Online Resource Open resource
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region - Science Overview Unknown Online Resource Open resource
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region - Science Overview Unknown Online Resource Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_WHI_specimen_IKMTsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown Larval billfish specimen information paired with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll measurements at the time and site of larva collection for all surface tows only. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_specimen_AllTowsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown This file contains metadata for all tows completed in West Hawai'i from 1997-2018 including sample ID, tow type, mean depth, slick, gear type, mesh size, date, latitude, and longitude. These tow metadata are paired with billfish specimen data. Stations where billfish were not caught are thusly noted. This .CSV file is 898KB. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_specimen_AllTowsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown This file contains metadata for all tows completed in West Hawai'i from 1997-2018 including sample ID, tow type, mean depth, slick, gear type, mesh size, date, latitude, and longitude. These tow metadata are paired with billfish specimen data. Stations where billfish were not caught are thusly noted. This .CSV file is 898KB. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_specimen_AllTowsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown This file contains metadata for all tows completed in West Hawai'i from 1997-2018 including sample ID, tow type, mean depth, slick, gear type, mesh size, date, latitude, and longitude. These tow metadata are paired with billfish specimen data. Stations where billfish were not caught are thusly noted. This .CSV file is 898KB. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_WHI_specimen_IKMTsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown Larval billfish specimen information paired with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll measurements at the time and site of larva collection for all surface tows only. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_specimen_AllTowsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown This file contains metadata for all tows completed in West Hawai'i from 1997-2018 including sample ID, tow type, mean depth, slick, gear type, mesh size, date, latitude, and longitude. These tow metadata are paired with billfish specimen data. Stations where billfish were not caught are thusly noted. This .CSV file is 898KB. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_WHI_specimen_IKMTsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown Larval billfish specimen information paired with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll measurements at the time and site of larva collection for all surface tows only. Open resource
ESD_larval_billfish_WHI_specimen_IKMTsPairedWithEnvironmentalData_1998to2018.csv Unknown Larval billfish specimen information paired with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll measurements at the time and site of larva collection for all surface tows only. Open resource
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Unknown Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage Open resource
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Unknown Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage Open resource
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Unknown Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage Open resource
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Unknown Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage Open resource

Tags

Topics

Categories