Reef fish species, count, and abundance data collected during Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources fish and habitat utilization surveys in East Hawaii from 2022-12-15 to 2023-10-20 (NCEI Accession 0287383)

Dataset contains reef fish species, count, and abundance data from sites located throughout the Eastern coastline of Hawaii Island.

Fish data are derived from fish and habitat utilization surveys (FAHU) conducted by Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources divers. FAHU surveys were conducted between December 2022 to October 2023. Fishes were visually identified to a species level when possible, and were then counted and sized (fork length in centimeters). A GPS attached to the dive float was used to determine the location of each transect. Coordinates continuously logged by the GPS correspond to the start and end times of each survey.

The FAHU method uses stratified random sampling, where transects are randomly placed within four types of hard-bottom benthic habitats found in East Hawaii. Each FAHU transect consists of a paired fish and benthic survey, where one diver is responsible for the fish survey while the other diver conducts the benthic survey.

The fish surveyor lays out the 25m long transect while recording all fish species observed within 2.5m swath on both sides of the transect line. This results in a 5m wide x 25m long surveyed area. The fish surveyor spends between 10-15 minutes counting fish to allow for fast moving and cryptic species to be recorded in the survey.