Identification_Information:
  Citation:
    Citation_Information:
      Originator: Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), University of Miami's Cooperative Institute Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and NOAA Early Life History Unit (ELH) 
      Publication_Date: 20110120
      Title: Ichthyoplankton (biological) data collected aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster during cruise 0903

      Publication_Information:
        Publication_Place:
        Publisher:
      Online_Linkage:

  Description:
    Abstract: Station data and ichthyoplankton (biological) data from cruise 0903 from the US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Anegada Passage, Leeward Islands and Saba Bank. In addition, inshore data from St. Thomas seine net tows is included. Data is housed in in a spreadsheet database (Excel) format to be maintained, updated and utilized by members the Early Life History (ELH) group and all project partners.   

Purpose: This project seeks to determine the extent of the larval reef fish population connections within the US Virgin Islands reef ecosystems and adjacent banks in the Caribbean taking into account the potential importance that such a connection plays in replenishing and subsidizing stocks of reef fish in Marine Protected Areas and in the overall Caribbean region.
    Supplemental_Information:The USVI larval distribution and supply study completed its third research cruise aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster during April 7-20, 2009. Ichthyoplankton sampling yielded 314 samples (217 MOCNESS and 97 bongo) from 105 stations and 125 fish families were identified from a total of 24,593 larvae collected. MOCNESS (Multiple Opening and Closing Environmental Sampling System) samples were collected from 100 m to the surface at 25 m increments while Bongo samples were collected from just below the sea surface for 10 minute intervals at each station.  A total of 23,512 larvae have been successfully identified taxonomic family level or beyond, with only 4.2% or 1,041 categorized as unidentifiable due to early stage at development or damage that occurred during the sample collection and/or processing. Approximately 76 % of the fish larvae samples were represented by 20 principle families: Bregmacerotidae, Labridae, Myctophidae,  Carangidae, Clupeidae, Mullidae, Sternoptychidae, Scombridae, Eleotridae, Gobiidae, Apogonidae, Sphyraenidae, Serranidae, Coryphaenidae, Pomacentridae, Gonostomatidae, Chauliodontidae, Epigonidae, Bythitidae, and Lutjanidae. All samples collected have been identified using taxonomic keys and a subsample will be identified using genetic techniques. 

  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Range_of_Dates/Times:
        Beginning_Date: 20090407
        Ending_Date: 20090420

    Currentness_Reference: Due to processing and quality control procedures, the data are usually entered into the main database one to two years after collection.

  Status:
    Progress: in work
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Data is updated several times during the year as new data is available.

  Spatial_Domain:
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.207
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -62.947
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.923
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.223

  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
      Theme_Keyword: Biota
      Theme_Keyword: 002

    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: Ichthyoplankton
      Theme_Keyword: Ichthyoplankton > Distribution
      Theme_Keyword: Ichthyoplankton > Abundance
      Theme_Keyword: Fish eggs
      Theme_Keyword: Fish larvae
      Theme_Keyword: Fisheries
      Theme_Keyword: Fisheries oceanography
      Theme_Keyword: Dispersal and recruitment connectivity

    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: US Virgin Islands
      Place_Keyword: British Virgin Islands
      Place_Keyword: Anegada Passage
      Place_Keyword: Leeward Islands
      Place_Keyword: Saba Bank
      Place_Keyword: Puerto Rico
      Place_Keyword: Vieques
      Place_Keyword: Caribbean Sea

  Access_Constraints: Anyone interested in use of the data must personally contact Dr. John Lamkin, Dr. Trika Gerard or Estrella Malca.

  Use_Constraints: All users will be asked to read and fully comprehend metadata prior to data use, acknowledge the Originator when using the data set as a source, share data products developed using the source data wet with the Originator.

Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: NMFS/Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Physical
        Address: 75 Virginia Beach Drive
        City: Miami
        State_or_Province: Florida
        Postal_Code: 33149
        Country: United States of America
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: (305) 361-4493
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Trika.Gerard@noaa.gov

  Resource_Description:

  Distribution_Liability: Although we try to keep the data in the database accurate and up to date, the accuracy of some information is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Data are continually being updated and modified.

Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 20110120
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: NMFS/Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)
      Contact_Address: 
        Address_Type: Physical
        Address: 75 Virginia Beach Drive
        City: Miami
        State_or_Province: Florida
        Postal_Code: 33149
        Country: United States of America
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: (305) 361-4246

  Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998