Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20250903-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037)

NOAA’s Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) compiles a national database of the known locations of deep-sea corals and sponges in U.S. territorial waters and beyond. Demersal and benthic fish occurrences that were recorded along with coral and sponge surveys are also included. The database is comprehensive, standardized, quality controlled, and networked to outside resources. The database schema accommodates both linear (trawls, transects) and point (samples, observations) data. The structure of the database is tailored to occurrence records of all the azooxanthellate corals, a subset of all corals, and all sponge species. Records shallower than 50 m are generally excluded in order to focus on predominantly deep-water species – the mandate of the DSCRTP. The intention is to limit the overlap with light-dependent (and mostly shallow-water) corals. The database version included in the current accession is 20250903-0 and currently holds 1421995 records.