CATALOG DOCUMENTATION
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM - REGION 6
1993-1994 TEXAS COAST RIVERS AND ESTUARIES STUDY
FISH/INVERTEBRATE SPECIES DATA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.	DATA SET IDENTIFICATION

2.	INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

3.	DATA SET ABSTRACT

4.	OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION

5.	DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS

6.	DATA MANIPULATIONS

7.	DATA DESCRIPTION

8.	GEOGRAPHICAL AND SPATIAL INFORMATION

9.	QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE

10.	DATA ACCESS

11.	REFERENCES

12.	TABLE OF ACRONYMS

13.	PERSONNEL INFORMATION

1. DATA SET IDENTIFICATION

1.1	Title of Catalog Document

Regional Environmental Monitoring And Assessment Program - Region 6
1993-1994 Texas Coast Rivers And Estuaries Study
Fish and Invertebrate Species Abundance Data

1.2	Authors of the Catalog entry

Melissa M. Hughes, 0A0 Corp.

1.3	Catalog Revision Date

April 2, 1998


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1.4	Data File Name

FISHSPEC

1.5	Task Group
Region 6

1.6	Data set identification code
00005

1.7	Version
001

1.8	Requested Acknowledgment

If you plan to publish these data in any way, EPA requires
a standard statement for work it has supported:

"Although the data described in this article have been
funded wholly or in part by the U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency through its REMAP Program, it
has not been subjected to Agency review, and therefore does
not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official
endorsement should be inferred."

INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

2.1	Principal Investigator

Charlie Howell

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 6
Environmental Services Division

2.2	Investigation Participant-Sample Collection

Not applicable
DATA FILE ABSTRACT

3.1	Abstract of the Data File

The Fish/Invertebrate data file is a synopsis of various averages
for each species collected from successful standard trawl(s)
conducted at a station. The total counts of individuals,
pathological observances and mean lengths for each species caught
in the standard trawl(s) are reported.

3.2	Keywords for the Data file

Species, length


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4. OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION

4.1	Program Objective

The REMAP Texas Coast project will:

1.	Determine the extent and magnitude of tri-butyltin (TBT)
contamination in Galveston Bay sediment and water column.

2.	Determine the extent and magnitude of contaminant levels in the
fish and sediment of the East Bay Bayou of Galveston Bay and
whether the incidence of fish pathologies is correlated with
sediment contamination.

3.	Determine the levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in fish tissue,
conduct chemical and toxicity tests of sediments and determine
benthic community structure in the tidal reaches of the Arroyo
Colorado and the Rio Grande Rivers.

4.	Determine the extent and magnitude of anoxia and concentrations
of agriculture-related contaminants found in the tidal reaches
of the Arroyo Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers.

4.2	Data Set Objective

The objective of the Fish/Invertebrate Summary data file was to
collect information to characterize nektonic assemblages in the
estuaries of the Louisianian Province.

4.3	Data Set Background Discussion

Estuarine nekton have economic, recreational, and ecological
value. Abundant nektonic organisms, particularly in communities
characterized by multiple species and feeding type, suggest a
productive estuarine food web. Several subsets of nekton were
selected for the EMAP-Estuaries fish community profile: finfish;
blue crab; and brown, white and pink shrimp.

Finfish are particularly good candidates for use as potential
indicators of estuarine condition. Most fish ecologists agree
that the assemblage of fish that occurs at a sampling site is
affected by water and sediment quality parameters and habitat
conditions. Because of their longevity and dominant position at
the upper end of the food web, fish responses integrate many
short-term and small-scale environmental perturbations. Fish are
known to respond to most of the major environmental stressors of
concern in estuaries, including eutrophication, habitat
modification and pathogenic or toxic contamination. Since the
blue crab and shrimp are significant to the Gulf Coast economy,
these shellfish species were selected to determine if
environmental stressors that may or may not affect the
finfish community would have the same affect on these valuable
fisheries.

A major purpose of evaluating fish/invertebrate community
composition was to determine whether regional information on fish
and invertebrate community characteristics could be used as an
indicator of environmental quality.


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4.4 Summary of Data Set Parameters

The raw data for species composition and abundance were recorded
in the field after the completion of each successful standard
trawl. Fish or invertebrate target species were preserved for
tissue chemistry or reference pathology analysis. All
fish observed to have pathological defects were preserved for
detailed histopathological examination.

4.5 Year-Specific Information about Data

Up to three fish trawls were conducted per station. This
increased the chances that nekton specific data would be more
accurately represented and tissue chemistry samples would be
available for each site. Occasionally, however, a field crew
would conduct more then three (3) trawls in order to obtain enough
tissue samples for chemistry analysis. Any trawl conducted after
the first three (3) attempts was not used for any of the summary
calculations. The actual number of trawls taken for each stations
is reflected in the Fish Abundance data file.

For sampling year 1993, the finfish, spot, (Leiostomus xanthurus)
were collected and preserved to be used specifically as
reference histopathology samples.

5. DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS

5.1 Data Acquisition

5.1.1	Sampling Objective

Conduct two (2) successful standard fish trawls at a Sampling
Site suitable for the characterization of fish species
composition, abundance and length.

5.1.2	Sample Collection Method Summary

A balloon trawl (funnel-shaped net) was deployed from the
sampling vessel using a hydraulic powered boom and winch system
and dragged over the bottom in the general vicinity of the
sampling station to capture bottom and near-bottom fishes and
crustaceans. The duration of a trawl was 10 +-2 minutes and
the rate of speed over bottom was 2-3 knots. Following a
successful trawl, the net was hauled aboard and the catch was
released into a plastic trough or fish sorting table.

All fish and invertebrates of interest were sorted and
identified to species and a total count taken for each species.

Up to 30 individuals of a given species were measured to the
nearest 0.1 cm - fork length (when applicable or overall length
for fishes; tip of rostrum to tip of telson for shrimp; and
carapace width (spine to spine) for crabs. The pertinent fish
data were recorded on preprinted, standardized field sheets
(Fish Data Sheets) for later transcription into the field
computer system.


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5.1.3	Beginning Sampling Dates

24 September 1993
10 August 1994

5.1.4	Ending Sampling Date

10 October 1993
16 August 1994

5.1.5	Platform

Each team was supplied with a 25-foot SeaArk work boat
equipped with a 7.5 L gas engine fitted with a Bravo outdrive,
an "A" frame boom assembly and hydraulic winch. Onboard
electronics consist of: a Loran C unit, GPS, radar unit, 2 VHF
radios, cellular phone, compass, a depth finder, a tool kit,
and all required and suggested safety equipment.

5.1.6	Sampling Equipment

The net used was a 4.9 m (16 ft) -wide, balloon (high profile)
trawl with 2.5 cm (1 in) stretched mesh in the bosom, wings,
and cod end; no liner was used. The trawl was equipped with
41 X 76 cm ( 16 X 30 in ) wooded doors.

5.1.7	Manufacturer of Equipment
NA

5.1.8	Key Variables

The total count of individuals of a taxon collected at a
station, species identification information and individual
length were recorded after sample collection.

5.1.9	Sampling Method Calibration

The sampling gear did not require calibration. It required
inspection for tears and proper assemblage.

5.1.10	Collection Quality Control

A trawl was considered void if one or more of the following
conditions occurred:

5.1.10.1 A ten (10) minute tow could not be completed
because of hangdown, boat malfunction, vessel
traffic, or major disruption of gear. However, a tow
was considered acceptable if it was necessary to
retrieve the net after at least eight minutes due to
impending hazards, as long as the net was retrieved
in the standard manner.

5.1.10.2 Boat speed or speed over the bottom was beyond the
prescribed, acceptable range.


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5.1.10.3 The cod-end of the net was not tied shut.

5.1.10.4	The trawl continued for more than twelve minutes or
less than eight minutes.

5.1.10.5	The net was filled with mud or debris.

5.1.10.6	A portion of the catch was lost prior to processing.

5.1.10.7	The tow wire, bridle, headrope, footrope, or up and
down lines parted.

5.1.10.8	The net was torn in a way that may have significantly
altered the efficiency of the net.

If, due to repeated snags, a successful trawl could not be
performed within 1 1/2 hours of starting, no further attempts
were made and the Field Operations Center was notified.

If the trawl was successful and fish were caught, the specimens
designated for chemistry or pathology analysis were contained
appropriately for shipping to various labs. Each species of
fish for a particular station were tracked using a barcode
system. As the field crew prepared the specimens for shipping,
the fish would be grouped by species and type of lab analyses
needed then tagged with a waterproof barcode label bearing a
unique identification number. A duplicate barcode was Pi ace on
the appropriate data sheet. Each barcode label was scanned
into a datafile using laser barcode readers. This method of
tagging provided the EMAP-E team an efficient, accurate and
viable accounting of fish shipped to laboratories for further
analysis. The laboratories were also supplied with barcode
readers so fish received by lab personnel could be documented.
The lab receiving files were electronically forwarded to EMAP-E
for shipping and receiving reconciliation.

5.1.11 Sample Collection Method References

Macauley, J.M. 1991. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program-Near Coastal Louisianian Province: 1991 Monitoring
Demonstration. Field Operations Manual. EPA/600/X-91/XXX.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development, Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL
32561.

5.1.12 Sample Collection Method Deviations
None

5.2 Data Preparation and Sample Processing

5.2.1 Sample Processing Objective

Sample processing methods not applicable for estimates of
fish/invertebrate species composition and abundance.


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5.2.1 Sample Processing Objective
NA

5.2.2	Sample Processing Methods Summary
NA

5.2.3	Sample Processing Method Calibration
NA

5.2.4	Sample Processing Quality Control
NA

5.2.5	Sample Processing Method Reference

6. DATA ANALYSIS AND MANIPULATIONS

6.1 Name of New or Modified Value

FSPECABN	Taxon Abundance (#/sample)

FSPEC_CM	Mean length (cm) of all Individuals

FSPECSTD	Standard Dev. of Length (cm)

FSPEC_MA	Mean abundance by Taxon

6.2	Data Manipulation Description

Data are calculated such that results appear on a taxon basis

6.3	Data Manipulation Examples

6.3.1 Mean Length of individuals of a taxon

FSPEC_CM represents the mean length (cm) of all Individuals
of a Taxon. Sum of all lengths of a taxon / total # of
individuals of a taxon collected in the fish trawls.

6.3.2	Standard Deviation of the Mean Length

FSPECSTD represents the Standard Deviation of the Mean
Length. A standard deviation was calculated when there was
more than one length for a taxon.

6.3.3	Abundance of a Taxon

FSPECABN represents the sum of the abundances of all
individuals for a specific taxon in the successful trawl(s) at
a station at a sampling site.


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6.3.4 Mean number of individuals per taxon

FSPEC_MA represents the mean number of individuals for each
taxon per trawl at a station. This field is calculated as:
total abundance / # of trawls taken at sampling site.

7. DATA DESCRIPTION

7.1 Description of Parameters

Field Data Field	Variable

Name	Type Len Format Field Label

STA NAME

Char

8

$8.

The sta_name Identifier

VST DATE

Num

8

YYMMDD6.

The Date the Sample was Collected

SPECC0DE

Char

8

$8.

EMAP Taxon Code

FSPEC CM

Num

8

6.2

Mean Length (cm) of Ind. of Taxon

FSPECSTD

Num

8

6.2

Standard Deviation of Length (cm)

FSPECABN

Num

8

6.

Individuals (#) Collected of the









Taxon

FSPEC MA

Num

8

6.2

Organisms of the Taxon: Mean #/Trawl

QA_C0DE

Char

7

$8.

QA Code for Fish Trawl

7.1.6	Precision to which values are reported

Total abundance is reported as a whole number.

Derived values (mean abundance, mean length and standard

deviation of mean length) are reported to 2 decimal places.

7.1.7	Minimum Values in Data Set
Variable Maximum

FSPEC_CM	2.40

FSPECSTD	0.00

FSPECABN	0

FSPEC_MA	0.00

7.1.8 Maximum Values in Data Set

Variable Maximum

FSPEC_CM	66.00

FSPECSTD	14.70

FSPECABN	561

FSPEC_MA	280.50

7.2 Data Record Example

7.2.1 Column Names for Example Records

STA_NAME VST_DATE SPECC0DE FSPEC_CM FSPECSTD FSPECABN FSPEC_MA QA_C0DE


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7.2.2 Example Data Records
STA_NAME VST_DATE SPECCODE FSPEC_CM FSPECSTD FSPECABN FSPEC_MA QA_CODE

LA93AC1	931007	ANCHHEPS	4.56	0.64	25	12.50

LA93AC1	931007	ARIUFELI	22.00	.	1	0.50

LA93AC1	931007	BAGRMARI	14.40	.	1	0.50

LA93AC1	931007	BAIRCHRY	16.05	3.48	4	2.00

LA93AC1	931007	CYNOAREN	17.20	3.96	2	1.00

8.	GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION

8.1	Minimum Longitude

-97 Degrees 36 Minutes

8.2	Maximum Longitude

-94 Degrees 24 Minutes

8.3	Minimum Latitude

25 Degrees 57 Minutes 28.80 Decimal Seconds

8.4	Maximum Latitude

29 Degrees 43 Minutes 49.80 Decimal Seconds

8.5	Name of area or region

Coastal distribution of sampling is in Galveston Bay, the East Bay
Bayou of Galveston Bay and the Arroyo Colorado and the Rio Grande
River systems in Texas.

9.	QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

9.1 Measurement Quality Objectives

Measurement quality objectives were outlined in the Quality
Assurance Project Plan. Accuracy and precision goals are outlined
below:

Fish Community	Accuracy	Completeness

Composition	Goal	Goal

Counting	10 %	90 %

Taxonomic Identification	10 %	90 %

Length Determinations	+ 5 mm	90 %

9.2 Quality Assurance/Control Methods

Data from trawls which did not meet the requirements of a standard
trawl were not included in this data file.

16.20 Decimal Seconds

33.00 Decimal Seconds

Data were run through series of Quality Control examinations:


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9.2.1	The first method involved manually comparing each field
data sheet entry against the electronically stored field
data. This form of data validation ensured that data
entered onto the field data sheets was correctly and
completely transcribed. Occasionally, an error would
occur that could not be flagged systematically (ie. Data
sheet reflected a length of 11 cm and the electronic data
record for the same fish reflected 14 cm. If the length
range for this species is 9 cm to 16 cm then neither
number is an outlier and a range checking program would
not detect the error).

9.2.2	Electronic formatted data would also be run through series
of programs which would test the validity of the data and
provide a flagging mechanism to indicate that further
investigation was required:

9.2.2.1	Outlier checks on lengths and range of habitats.

9.2.2.2	Taxonomic identification (ie. Common name was
Hardhead Catfish but Species code indicates a
Gafftopsail Catfish).

9.2.2.3	Variable format issues (ie. Type an alphabetic "o"
for a numeric "0").

9.2.2.4	Comparing fish description data (ie. Taxonomic ids,
lengths, etc.) received from labs with the primary
EMAP-E fish database. If fish description data vary
between the two set of databases the differences were
investigated.

9.3 Actual Measurement Quality
N/A

9.4 Sources of Error

N/A

10. DATA ACCESS

10.1 Data Access Procedures

Data can be downloaded from the WWW site.

10.2 Data Access Restrictions

Data can only be accessed from the WWW site.
10.3 Data Access Contact Persons

Charles Howell
U.S. EPA - Region 6
Environmental Services Division
(214) 655-8354


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10.4 Data file Format

Data can be downloaded as ASCII fixed format files.
10.5 Information Concerning Anonymous FTP
Not accessible

10.6	Information Concerning WWW

Data can be downloaded from the WWW

10.7	EMAP CD-ROM Containing the Data file
Data not available on CD-ROM.

11. REFERENCES

Heitmuller, P.T. and R. Valente. 1991. Environmental Monitoring
and Assessment Program: EMAP-Estuaries South Texas coast:
1991 quality assurance project plan. EPA/ERL-GB No. SR-120.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development, Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL
32561.

Macauley, J.M. 1991. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program-Near Coastal Louisianian Province: 1991 Monitoring
Demonstration. Field Operations Manual. EPA/600/X-91/XXX.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development, Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL
32561.

Macauley, J.M. 1992. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program: Louisianian Province: 1992 Sampling: Field Operations
Manual. EPA/ERL-GB No. SR-119. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development,
Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561.

U.S. EPA. 1995. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP): Laboratory Methods Manual - Estuaries,

Volume 1: Biological and Physical Analyses. United States
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and
Development, Narragansett, RI. EPA/620/R-95/008.

12. TABLE OF ACRONYMS

ACRONYM

DESCRIPTION

EMAP

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

FTP

File Transfer Protocol

GPS

Global Positioning System

REMAP
WWW

Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
World Wide Web


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13. PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Charlie Howell

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 6, Environmental Services Division
First Interstate Bank Tower at Fountain Place
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214) 655-8354

howe11.char1i e@epama i1.epa.gov

Melissa M. Hughes

EMAP-Information Management

0A0 Corp. c/o U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED

27 Tarzwell Drive

Narragansett, RI 02882-1197

(401) 782-3184 (Tele)

(401) 782-3030 (FAX)

hughes.me1i ssa@epa.gov


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