The occurrence status (present/absent) of the fish species associated with the ECOREEF, Discovery Bay, Jamaica (2015-2017)

Study Extent

The study are was centred around the coordinates 18o 28’ 9.6" N & 077 o 24’ 39.5 W in approximateley 6-8m water depth in the Discovery Bay Harbour where 500 ECOREEF structures were deployed in an area 28m x 9m running in an east-west direction. Monitoring took place twice per year at 6 monthly intervals over three years starting in July 2015. Monitoring began before the actual start of dredging which was delayed by equipment mobilisation issues.

Sampling

The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol (Lang et al., 2010) was used to assess the fish population inside and outside the boundaries of the ECOREEF. This included the use of belt transects and the roving diver technique. Species were recorded along the belt transect and the roving technique was used to record all species encountered, including these that might not be encountered along the belt transects. This dataset presents the occurrence status (presence/absence) of the fish species associated with the ECOREEF structure and the adjacent reefs.

Quality Control

Data collected and identified by experts

Method steps

1. All field data were collected with multiple transect and roving diver surveys as per FINAL DRAFT AGRRA METHODOLOGY V. 5.0 Revision by Lang et al. (2010) and recorded on data sheets as per AGRRA-FISHES-UW-V5.0.xls. Identification was based on information from Paul Humann - REEF FISHES and FishBase (www.fishbase.org). Field data were reviewed after transcription by senior scientists in the Department."

Reef fishes represented primarily by three main Orders.

1. Perciformes
   common name: Reef fish rank: order
2. Tetraodontiformes
   common name: Surgeon fishes rank: order
3. Beryciformes
   common name: Squirrelfish rank: order
4. Rajiformes
   common name: Sting Rays rank: order

Discovery Bay back reef in the parish of St Ann, Jamaica