Strandings_1986_2004

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) - Marine Turtle Program

Publication_Date: August, 2007

Title: Strandings_1986_2004

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

Description:

Abstract:

Coordinated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) is responsible for gathering standardized data on stranded marine turtles throughout the state. The Florida STSSN functions as a part of an eighteen state network led by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). In Florida, strandings are documented by FWRI staff biologists and by a network of permitted participants located around the state. Live strandings are rescued and transported to properly permitted rehabilitation facilities. Data from strandings are collected on a standardized reporting form and include date, species, location, carapace length and width, carcass condition, carcass disposition, and information on anomalies (e.g., entanglement, propeller damage, fibropapillomas). Additionally, certain carcasses are regularly collected by FWRI staff for gross or detailed necropsy. Each week, FWRI reports Florida strandings to NMFS as a part of a management plan that is intended to reduce the incidental take of turtles in the shrimp fishery. FWRI also generates monthly and yearly stranding summary reports to monitor mortality and to detect and describe any unusual stranding events. Stranding data collected through the Florida STSSN have been used extensively in the identification of mortality factors and in the development of recovery actions (e.g., Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements, gill net regulations).

Purpose:

The purpose is to monitor marine turtle mortality and identify mortality factors in Florida by documenting stranded marine turtles.

Supplemental_Information:

A stranding is any dead sea turtle that is found floating or washed ashore. Strandings also include live turtles that are found with life-threatening problems (e.g., sick, injured, or entangled). The location of the stranding when first reported is the point location that appears in this database and may or may not be the location at the time of death. The following are not included in this database: strandings of sea turtles that were not identified to species, strandings where a latitude and longitude could not be determined, and strandings of captive-reared turtles. Turtles that are known to be captured incidental to some activity (i.e., commercial fisheries, research projects, power plant operations, etc.) are not included in this database. Stranding data are often used to monitor mortality rates and may sometimes be used as an indicator of the relative distributions and abundances of different species and sizes of sea turtles. However, there are several considerations to keep in mind when using stranding data for these purposes. 1) Not all turtles that die are discovered, reported, and documented by the STSSN. A majority of dead turtles probably do not wash ashore. Of those that do wash ashore, many may become hidden in mangroves or other vegetation, and some that strand on open, sandy beaches may still go unreported. Therefore, sea turtle stranding data represent only a subset of all dead turtles. 2) Decreases or increases in stranding numbers may not be due to decreases or increases in mortality rates. For example, mortality rates may remain unchanged but decreases or increases in local turtle populations may result in changes in the number of strandings. 3) Carcasses and debilitated turtles may drift hundreds of kilometers before being documented as a stranding. Turtles may strand on beaches adjacent to well-used in-water habitats, but they may also strand along areas where they do not normally occur. Prior to July 1, 2004, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) was known as the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI). The institute name has not been changed in historical data sets or references to work completed by the Florida Marine Research Institute. The institute name has been changed in references to ongoing research, new research, and contact information.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1986

Ending_Date: 2004

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Annually

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.512896

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -78.880216

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.731435

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 23.937775

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: FMRItheme

Theme_Keyword: turtles

Theme_Keyword: strandings

Theme_Keyword: threatened and endangered (turtles, whales, manatees, sturgeon)

Theme_Keyword: mortality

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: FMRIplace

Place_Keyword: Florida

Stratum:

Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: FMRIstratum

Stratum_Keyword: surface

Access_Constraints:

All data must be verified by Principal Investigator or Group Database Analyst prior to release. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from FWC and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. FWC makes no claims as to the suitability of these data for other purposes.

Use_Constraints:

Acknowledgement of the FWC-FWRI (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) as the data source would be appreciated in any products developed from these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal practices for data source is expected by users of this data. Please cite the original metadata when using portions of the record to create a similar record of slightly altered data, such as reprojection. If any data are modified or adjusted, please share the edited information with FWC. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer processes over time. FWC shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of this data. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such. This is not a survey data set and should not be utilized as such. These data are not to be used for navigation.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Allen M. Foley, Ph D.

Contact_Organization:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Contact_Position: Wildlife Biologist, FL STSSN Coordinator

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (904)573-3930

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Allen.Foley@MyFWC.com

Data_Set_Credit:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Marine Turtle Program; Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network; National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Species Management.

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.2.4.1420

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

All entities and attributes have been identified and documented.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Metadata imported.

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 19094

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Map_Projection:

Map_Projection_Name: Albers Conical Equal Area

Albers_Conical_Equal_Area:

Standard_Parallel: 24.000000

Standard_Parallel: 31.500000

Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -84.000000

Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 24.000000

False_Easting: 400000.000000

False_Northing: 0.000000

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000000

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000000

Planar_Distance_Units: meters

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222

Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Altitude_System_Definition:

Altitude_Resolution: 0.000100

Altitude_Encoding_Method:

Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Strandings_1986_2004

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DDLAT

Attribute_Definition:

Latitude of stranding event, converted to decimal degrees (DD.dddd) from the 'LAT' field.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: minimum latitudinal extent of dataset

Range_Domain_Maximum: maximum latitudinal extent of dataset

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal Degrees (DD.dddd)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: Four decimal places (DD.dddd)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LAT

Attribute_Definition:

Latitude value as originally reported in degrees and decimal minutes (DDMMmm).

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CWSL

Attribute_Definition: Carapace width, straight line (cm).

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Centimeters (cm)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1cm

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CWOC

Attribute_Definition: Carapace width, over curve (cm).

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Centimeters (cm)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1cm

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DDLONG

Attribute_Definition:

Longitude of stranding event, converted to decimal degrees (DD.dddd) from the 'LONG' field.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: minimum longitudinal extent of dataset

Range_Domain_Maximum: maximum Longitudinal extent of dataset

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal Degrees (DD.dddd)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: Four decimal places (DD.dddd)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: YEAR_

Attribute_Definition: Year of the stranding event

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1986

Range_Domain_Maximum: 2004

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: MONTH_

Attribute_Definition: Month of the stranding event.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1 (January)

Range_Domain_Maximum: 12 (December)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DAY_

Attribute_Definition: Day of the stranding event.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1

Range_Domain_Maximum: 31

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: COMMONNAME

Attribute_Definition: Common name of the species of the stranded animal.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Green turtle

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Chelonia mydas

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Hawksbill

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Eretmochelys imbricata

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Kemps ridley

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Lepidochelys kempii

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Leatherback

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Dermochelys coriacea

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Loggerhead

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Caretta caretta

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: STSSN_ID

Attribute_Definition:

Unique record identifier for each stranding event in the STSSN database.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: COUNTYNAME

Attribute_Definition:

Name of the (Florida) county in which the stranding event occurred.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CLSL

Attribute_Definition: Carapace length, straight line (cm).

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Centimeters (cm)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1cm

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CONDITION

Attribute_Definition: Reported condition of the animal.

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: CLOC

Attribute_Definition: Carapace length, over curve (cm)..

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Centimeters (cm)

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1cm

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONG_

Attribute_Definition:

Longitude value as originally reported in degrees and decimal minutes (DDMMmm).

Attribute_Definition_Source: STSSN

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Distribution_Information:

Resource_Description: Downloadable Data

Distribution_Liability:

These data are in the public domain, and the recipient may not assert any proprietary rights thereto nor represent them to anyone as other than a FWC-FWRI produced these data; they are provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The user assumes all responsibility for the accuracy and suitability of these data for a specific application. In no event will the staff of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute be liable for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of or the inability to use these data.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Transfer_Size: 0.237

Custom_Order_Process: Contact FWRI, Marine Turtle Program with custom requests.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20080114

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Robert Hardy

Contact_Organization:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Marine Turtle Program

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Address: 100 Eighth Avenue Southeast

City: St. Petersburg

State_or_Province: Florida

Postal_Code: 33701

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727)896-8626

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Robert.Hardy@MyFWC.com

Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700 (et), Monday - Friday

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile