The document describes methods for conducting roving diver surveys to estimate species diversity and abundance across marine habitats. Two divers conduct timed swims, recording observed fish using a semi-quantitative scale from single to many individuals. Species abundance is recorded on a datasheet along with a score based on observation time. Identification is aided by keys highlighting morphological features. Invertebrates are surveyed using a similar method focused on macroinvertebrates. Proper species identification requires learning indicator species, keys, and consulting identification materials.

1. Roving Diver Surveys

2. Purpose
• To estimate species diversity and abundance
across sites and different habitats.

3. Materials
• 1 underwater slate for each diver
• 1 watch or bottom timer for each diver
• 1 fish ID card for each diver/diver pair
• 1 data sheet

4. Methods
Two indices of fish abundance:
1. Time score scaled from 0 to 10
2. An estimated count expressed in categories
(single = 1, few = 2-10, common = 11-100,
and many = >100)

5. Time score
Minute intervals Score
0-5 10
5-10 9
10-15 8
15-20 7
20-25 6
25-30 5
Did not observe 0

6. Abundance estimate
S (single = 1)
F (few = 2-10)
C (common = 11-100)
M (many = >100)

7. How to ID fish
• Shape of body
• Shape of tail
• Location of mouth
• Placement of fins
• Shape of lateral line
• Size
• Color
• Habitat

9. Deep bodied
Elongate

10. Fish key cards

11. Species name Common name
Myctoperca bonaci Black grouper
Albula vulpes Bonefish
Heteroconger longissimus Brown garden eel
Gobiosoma genie Cleaner goby
Caranx hippos Crevalle jack
Lutjanus jocu Dog snapper
Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda
Seriola dumerili Greater amberjack
Gymnothorax funebris Green moray
Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish
Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark
Bothus lunatus Peacock flounder
Scarus vetula Queen Parrotfish
Balistes vetula Queen triggerfish
Epinephelus guttatus Red Hind
Aetobatus narinari Spotted eagle ray
Indicator species

12. Black grouper (Myctoperca bonaci)

13. Bonefish (Albula vulpes)

14. Brown garden eel (Heteroconger longissimus)

15. Cleaner goby (Gobiosoma genie)

16. *Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos)

17. *Dog snapper (Lutjanus jocu)

18. *Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

19. Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

20. Green moray (Gymnothorax funebris)

21. Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)

22. Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)

23. *Peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus)

24. *Queen Parrotfish (Scarus vetula)

25. Queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula)

26. *Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus)

27. *Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)

28. Recording during the snorkel/dive
• Begin survey as soon as you enter the
water
• Swim continuously throughout entire
survey and keep your eyes moving
• For seagrass beds, stay within the bed; for
coral reefs, stay within the reef
• Swim slowly; avoid splashing or jerky
movements
• Take notes on species you were unsure of

30. Time into dive: 5 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M

31. Time into dive: 5 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major
Bi-co Damsel
Needle

32. Time into dive: 5 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x

33. Time into dive: 10 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x
Bl tang
Gry angel
Chub

34. Time into dive: 10 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x

35. Time into dive: 25 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x
Comb Bl
Crevalle
N shark

36. Time into dive: 25 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x
Comb Bl x x
Crevalle x
N shark

37. Time into dive: 25 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x
Comb Bl x x
Crevalle x
N shark x

38. Time into dive: 25 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x
Comb Bl x x
Crevalle x
N shark x
1
2
3
4
5

39. Sample data sheet
Roving Diver Fish Count CIAM 6117 Coastal Environments
Location: Nearshore Playa Escambron, San Juan Date: 11 Nov 2015 Time: 10:00 Page 1 of 5
ABUNDANCE KEY: S = single (1) F = few (2-10) C = common (11-100) M = many (over 100) - = not observed
* = monitoring species (must have a count or a zero!) Score = 10 to 5 (10 = first 5 min, etc)
ObserverName: Fulana
Ramirez
Fulano
Quiñones
Common Name Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun
Sgt Major 10 C 10 C
Bi-color damsel 10 F 9 M
Needle fish 10 F
Blue tang 9 M 8 C
Gray Angel 9 S 7 F

40. Time into dive: 25 minutes
Fulana 11 Nov 15
S F C M
S major x x
Bi-co Damsel x
Needle x x
Bl tang x
Gry angel x
Chub x
Comb Bl x x
Crevalle x
N shark x
1
2
3
4
5
10
9
8
7
6
Scores:

41. Sample data sheet
Roving Diver Fish Count CIAM 6117 Coastal Environments
Location: Nearshore Playa Escambron, San Juan Date: 11 Nov 2015 Time: 10:00 Page 1 of 5
ABUNDANCE KEY: S = single (1) F = few (2-10) C = common (11-100) M = many (over 100) - = not observed
* = monitoring species (must have a count or a zero!) Score = 10 to 5 (10 = first 5 min, etc)
ObserverName: Fulana
Ramirez
Fulano
Quiñones
Common Name Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun Score Abun
Sgt Major 10 C 10 C
Bi-color damsel 10 F 9 M
Needle fish 10 F
Blue tang 9 M 8 C
Gray Angel 9 S 7 F

42. Invertebrate sensus
1. Same format as for fish
2. Focus is on macroinvertebrates
3. Review the fish key and guide book before the dive
4. Consult the keys after the dive before recording to
the data sheet
5. Only record positive ID’s

43. Common Invertebrates

44. Common Invertebrates
I. Porifera
Encrusting, barrel or ball sponges
II. Cnidarians
Corkscrew anemone (Bartholomea annulata)
Turtle grass anemone (Viatrix globulifera)
Transparent tube-dwelling anemone (unidentified)
III. Ctenophores
Sea walnut (Mnemiopsis mccradyi)
Winged comb jelly (Leucothea multicornis)
Sea gooseberry (Euplokamis sp.)
IV. Annelids
Bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)
Spaghetti worm (Eupolymnia crassicornis)
V. Arthropods
Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)
Spotted spiny lobster (Panulirus guttatus)
Giant hermit (Petrochirus diogenes)
Blue crab (Callinectes sp.)
Arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis)
Decorator crab (unidentified)
Mantis shrimp (Pseudosquilla ciliata)
VI. Bryozoans
Bugula sp.
VII. Molluscs
Queen conch (Strombus gigas)
Triton’s trumpet (Charonia variegata)
King helmet (Cassis tuberosa)
Sea hare (Aplysia sp.)
Ragged sea hare (Bursatella leachii)
Nudibranchs (various)
Reef squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea)
Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
VIII. Echinoderms
Cushion sea star (Oreaster reticulatus)
Circle marked brittle star (Ophioderma cinereum)
Brittle stars (Ophiothrix or Ophioderma sp.)
Long-spined urchin (Diadema antillarum)
Variegated urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)
West Indian sea egg (Tripneustes ventricosus)
Inflated sea biscuit (Clypeaster rosaceus)
Sand dollar (Clypeaster subdepressus)
Donkey dung sea cucumber (Holothuria mexicana)

45. How to improve proper ID’s
1. Learn the indicator species
2. Become familiar with the key
3. Review the fish key and guide book before the dive
4. Consult the keys after the dive before recording to
the data sheet
5. Only record positive ID’s