Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20230620-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037)

browse graphicPreview graphic
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 20230620-0.
  • Cite as: Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) (2016). Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20230620-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0145037
Full Text · XML
Download Data
  • HTTPS (download)
    Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • FTP (download)
    These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats
  • CSV
  • XML
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
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 1842-08-01 to 2023-06-20
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 179.994
South: -77.8664
North: 76.12
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20230620-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Database. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037.
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2016-03-14
  • revision: 2023-07-19
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
Supplemental Information
Submission Package ID: 2KALEM. In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose The database fulfills NOAA’s requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to identify and map locations of deep-sea corals and to submit this information for use by regional fishery management councils. At present, there is no comprehensive, national scale data portal for deep-sea corals and sponges. Given the authorities outlined in MSA, NOAA’s DSCRTP will serve as a central data aggregator and distributor. The DSCRTP geodatabase will represent a baseline of historical observations from samples archived in museums, research institutions, and scientific literature augmented by observations collected during deep-water in situ surveys conducted as part of regional fieldwork initiatives.
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: Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) (2016). Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20230620-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Collaborators
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Submitter instruments
  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
  • Diver
  • Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
  • epibenthic sled
  • hook and line
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) (2016). Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from the NOAA National Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Database, 1842-Present, version 20230620-0 (NCEI Accession 0145037). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037. Accessed [date].
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.
Fees
  • 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
  • 2016-03-14T18:07:50Z - NCEI Accession 0145037 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-03-23T22:21:47Z - NCEI Accession 0145037 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2021-08-06T20:32:17Z - NCEI Accession 0145037 was revised and v3.3 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2023-01-20T20:32:47Z - NCEI Accession 0145037 was revised and v4.4 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2023-07-19T15:26:57Z - NCEI Accession 0145037 was revised and v5.5 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Data Type: Occurance (measured); Units: count; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: trawl, longline, ROV, submersible, camera sled; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Numerous methods were utilized.; Data Quality Information: Points were checked in GIS to ensure no records were on land or locations far outside of North America and United States Territories. Completeness of Fields: In general, each historical record from other sources includes as much information as possible from the original source, recorded in our database’s field schema. In certain cases, examination of the original literature allowed completion of additional fields (e.g., if the vessel and collection station were known, a missing “ObservationDate” might be able to be completed). Elimination of duplicate records: When records of the same specimen were provided from multiple sources (e.g., Literature, Museum records, and previous data compilations such as Hexacorallians of the World), the record from the primary repository of the specimen was retained and duplicate records were eliminated. If secondary records included additional information on the specimen, this information was included in our record and the secondary citation was added to the “Citation” field. Taxonomic Fields: As part of the QA/QC process, records were checked individually to ensure consistent use of valid taxonomic names. Each taxon identified in the “ScientificName” field was cross-checked with currently valid scientific names listed in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS; http://www.marinespecies.org). If the taxon name in the original source was a valid name (e.g.,Lophelia pertusa), this was recorded in the “ScientificName” field and the WoRMS AplhaID for that taxon was recorded in the “WormsID” field. The Taxon Rank was recorded and higher taxonomic classification names for that taxon were filled in according to WoRMS. In cases where the taxon name recorded in the original source was not a currently accepted name (e.g., Lophelia prolifera), the currently accepted valid name was recorded in the “ScientificName” field and the taxon name from the original source was recorded in the “Synonyms” field. Derived fields: For historical records, certain fields were derived from information in other fields. For example, the identification of the “VernacularNameCategory” or “VernacularName” for a valid “ScientificName” was derived from a review of the literature for that or taxon. In a similar fashion, the “IdentificationQualifier” field could often be determined from the name of the individual who identified a specimen (i.e., the “IdentifiedBy” field.).
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • biota surveys
  • coral reef surveys
  • corer
  • dredge
  • net
  • sediment sampler - grab
  • trawl
  • video camera
Last Modified: 2023-07-20T06:17:22Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov