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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Billfish Larval Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawaiʻi between 1997 and 2018 (NCEI Accession 0306183)

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This is a 20-year (1997-2018) dataset of neustonic ichthyoplankton collections from West Hawaiʻi and beyond focusing on four species of billfishes (Blue Marlin, a'u, (Makaira nigricans), Striped Marlin, a'u, (Kajikia audax), Shortbilled Spearfish, a'u, (Tetrapturus angustirostris), and Swordfish, a'u ku, (Xiphias gladius)). We compiled observations of billfish larvae over this 20- year period (from 998 discrete ichthyoplankton tows in West Hawaii), and provide specimen information and species level identifications for many of these 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.
  • Cite as: Schmidt, Andrea; Whitney, Jonathan; Perelman, Jessica; Suca, Justin (2025). Billfish Larval Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawaiʻi between 1997 and 2018 (NCEI Accession 0306183). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306183. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0306183
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1997-04-12 to 2018-07-19
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -157.3284
East: -155.5387
South: 18.7045
North: 20.87203
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2025: Larval Billfish Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawai'i between 1997 and 2018, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74319.
  • Hyde, J., Lynn, E., Humphreys, R., Musyl, M., West, A., & Vetter, R. (2005). Shipboard identification of fish eggs and larvae by multiplex PCR, and description of fertilized eggs of blue marlin, shortbill spearfish, and wahoo. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 286, 269–277. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps286269
  • Whitney, J. L., Gove, J. M., McManus, M. A., Smith, K. A., Lecky, J., Neubauer, P., Phipps, J. E., Contreras, E. A., Kobayashi, D. R., & Asner, G. P. (2021). Surface slicks are pelagic nurseries for diverse ocean fauna. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81407-0
  • Sathyendranath, S., Jackson, T., Brockmann, C., Brotas, V., Calton, B., Chuprin, A., Clements, O., Cipollini, P., Danne, O., Dingle, J., Donlon, C., Grant, M., Groom, S., Krasemann, H., Lavender, S., Mazeran, C., Mélin, F., Müller, D., Steinmetz, F., … Platt, T. (2021). ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (Ocean_Colour_cci): Version 5.0 Data [Data set]. NERC EDS Centre for Environmental Data Analysis. https://doi.org/10.5285/1dbe7a109c0244aaad713e078fd3059a
  • European Union-Copernicus Marine Service. (2018). Global Ocean Physics Reanalysis [Data set]. Mercator Ocean International. https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00021
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2025-08-19
  • creation: 2025-07-14
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose Understanding the habitat requirements of species throughout their life history provides insight into the environmental drivers that regulate their distribution and abundance. Identifying essential habitats used by larval and juvenile fishes has become a critical component of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) especially for recreationally and commercially important fisheries species. Billfishes (generally, a'u, specifically:Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans), Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax), Shortbilled Spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris), and a'u ku or Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)) are popular sportfishing targets near Hawai'i Island. Despite their commercial and recreational value, there is currently no published information on larval distribution and habitat requirements for billfishes in Hawaiian waters. To address this knowledge gap we created this dataset combining larval billfish specimen information, environmental measurements at the location where the larva was collected (and absences), and plankton tow information to normalize observations across years. Generally, monitoring ichthyoplankton levels helps to understand the composition of the neustonic plankton communities across space and time, with focus on larval dynamics of commercially and culturally important species. These data represent a strong tool to monitor spawning, recruitment, and phenology of larvae. Understanding the habitat requirements of species throughout their life history provides insight into the environmental drivers that regulate their distribution and abundance.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Schmidt, Andrea; Whitney, Jonathan; Perelman, Jessica; Suca, Justin (2025). Billfish Larval Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawaiʻi between 1997 and 2018 (NCEI Accession 0306183). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306183. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: Wild Oceans
  • Funding Agency: International Game Fish Association
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • CHLOROPHYLL A CONCENTRATION- 8 day mean
  • Lunar Illumination
  • Modelled Salinity
  • Water Volume
  • distance to shore
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • R package
  • computer
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords Provider Project Names
  • West Hawai'i Ichthyoplankton Time Series Project
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • J74D4J
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Schmidt, Andrea; Whitney, Jonathan; Perelman, Jessica; Suca, Justin (2025). Billfish Larval Data from Plankton Tows Conducted off the Kona Coast in West Hawaiʻi between 1997 and 2018 (NCEI Accession 0306183). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306183. Accessed [date].
Data License
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
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  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2025-08-19T15:36:27Z - NCEI Accession 0306183 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (measured); Units: not applicable; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: net - plankton net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Plankton was identified by using a microscope and visual identification. Those without a confirmed ID are labelled "Unk.Istiophoridae"; Data Quality Method: Binomial species identity obtained either from morphology, singleplex PCR assay or COI barcoding and subsequent Sanger sequencing. For morphological ID sought resources and expertise from NOAA Ichthyologist Bruce Mundy to confirm identifications.
  • Parameter or Variable: ICHTHYOPLANKTON LENGTH (measured); Units: mm; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Larval fish were manually measured in standard length (SL) to the nearest 0.5 millimeter (for specimens smaller than 10mm) and to the nearest millimeter (for specimens longer than 10mm) using a microscope and ruler; Data Quality Method: N/A
  • Parameter or Variable: distance to shore (calculated); Units: m; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: computer; Sampling and Analyzing Method: distance to shore (meters) as calculated from tow start coordinates. GPS was used to collect tow start coordinates from tows.
  • Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - LIFE STAGE (measured); Units: not applicable; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: growth stage as determined by observer based on body/tail flexion, options are "preflexion", "flexion" and "post flexion". Assignments were guided by istiophorid illustrations in The Moster Book of Little Monsters. Dried/damaged specimens were not assigned a life stage.
  • Parameter or Variable: Habitat (measured); Units: not applicable; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The sampling site description, whether a tow was conducted in a surface slick or in ambient water conditions
  • Parameter or Variable: Water Volume (calculated); Units: cubic meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: flow meter; Sampling and Analyzing Method: volume of water that was towed through in units of cubic meters. Value either taken from in situ flow meter or calculated from net volume times the distance towed.
  • Parameter or Variable: WATER TEMPERATURE (measured); Units: degrees Celsius; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: thermosalinograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: temperature in the top 1 meter of the water column (degrees celcuius), measured from in-situ CTD (small boat), Thermosalinograph (ship), or remote sensing (satellite)
  • Parameter or Variable: SALINITY (measured); Units: none; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: thermosalinograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: salinity in the top 1 meter of the water column (PSU), measured from in-situ CTD (small boat) or Thermosalinograph (ship), or remote sensing (satellite)
  • Parameter or Variable: FLUORESCENCE (measured); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: fluorometer; Sampling and Analyzing Method: flouresence values in the top 1 meter of the water column (µg/L) measured from in-situ CTD (small boat) or Thermosalinograph (ship)
  • Parameter or Variable: CHLOROPHYLL A CONCENTRATION (measured); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: fluorometer; Sampling and Analyzing Method: chlorophyll a concentration in the top1m of the water column (µg/L), measured from in-situ water bottle collections (measured by Turner A10) or remote sensing (satellite)
  • Parameter or Variable: CHLOROPHYLL A (calculated); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: Niskin bottle; Sampling and Analyzing Method: total chlorophyll concentration in the top 1m of the water column, as calculated from chla values, measured from in-situ water bottle collections (measured by Turner A10)
  • Parameter or Variable: SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE (measured); Units: degrees C; Observation Category: satellite; Sampling Instrument: satellite sensor - visible to infrared; Sampling and Analyzing Method: sea surface temperature (°C) obtained from remote sensing. Source was NOAA's Coral Reef watch.
  • Parameter or Variable: Modelled Salinity (calculated); Units: none; Observation Category: satellite; Sampling Instrument: satellite sensor - active microwave; Sampling and Analyzing Method: salinity obtained from remote sensing. Source was E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Informationhttps://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00021 GLORYS12V1 product is the CMEMS global ocean eddy-resolving (1/12° horizontal resolution, 50 vertical levels) reanalysis
  • Parameter or Variable: CHLOROPHYLL A CONCENTRATION- 8 day mean (calculated); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: satellite; Sampling Instrument: satellite sensor - visible to infrared; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Chlorophyll a concentrations obtained from remote sensing. Chla values were derived from ocean color data. Source: ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative Copernicus 8 day amalgamation-(Sathyendranath et al. 2021). A buffer around 30m depth contour equal to 1/2 diagonal pixel distance of 500m GOCI data was added as a mask to these data. Code written by J. Perelman.
  • Parameter or Variable: Lunar Illumination (calculated); Units: categorical; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: R package; Sampling and Analyzing Method: a qualitative description of lunar illumination on the night closest to when a tow occured. The lunar.phase() function in the the lunar package was used on the StartDate of a given tow to obtain this data. We found this particularly useful as it specifies whether the moon was waxing or waning, which is information lost when susing lunar illumunation alone.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • flow meter
  • fluorometer
  • microscope
  • net - plankton net
  • Niskin bottle
  • satellite sensor - active microwave
  • satellite sensor - visible to infrared
  • thermosalinograph
  • visual observation
Platform
  • NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette
  • NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell
Last Modified: 2026-09-18T16:22:51Z
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