Time series dataset of fish assemblages near thermal discharges at nuclear power plants in northern Taiwan

Hungyen Chen,Ching-Yi Chen,Kwang-Tsao Shao

doi:10.1038/sdata.2018.85

Abstract

Long-term time series datasets with consistent sampling methods are rather rare, especially the ones of non-target coastal fishes. Here we described a long-term time series dataset of fish collected by trammel net fish sampling and observed by an underwater diving visual census near the thermal discharges at two nuclear power plants on the northern coast of Taiwan. Both experimental and control stations of these two investigations were monitored four times per year in the surrounding seas at both plants from 2000 to 2017. The underwater visual census mainly monitored reef fish assemblages and trammel net samples monitored pelagic or demersal fishes above the muddy/sandy bottom. In total, 508 samples containing 203,863 individuals from 347 taxa were recorded in both investigations at both plants. These data can be used by ecologists and fishery biologists interested in the elucidation of the temporal patterns of species abundance and composition.

Highlights

Background & Summary there are many databases for studying sustainable fishery management and marine biodiversity conservation, long-term datasets with consistent sampling methods are rather rare
Distinct from the monthly impinged fish assemblage dataset, underwater visual censuses and trammel net sampling were carried out four times per year because of the sea conditions, weather, and sampling cost
We describe the long-term time series dataset of fish collected by trammel net fishing sampling and underwater diving visual censuses near the thermal discharges at two nuclear power plants on the northern coast of Taiwan

Summary

Background & Summary

There are many databases for studying sustainable fishery management and marine biodiversity conservation, long-term datasets with consistent sampling methods are rather rare. In addition to the impingement investigation, which estimated fish loss because of cooling water intakes, two other investigations (underwater visual census and trammel net sampling) have been carried out to determine whether the thermal discharge have affected the local fish assemblages in the waters around the outlet area for both plants since 2000 These three investigations were conducted by the same research team and were supported by Taiwan Power Company as a long-term monitoring project to monitor fishery economics. We describe the long-term time series dataset of fish collected by trammel net fishing sampling and underwater diving visual censuses near the thermal discharges at two nuclear power plants on the northern coast of Taiwan. These data can be used by ecologists and fishery biologists interested in understanding the temporal pattern of species abundance and composition in relation to environmental factors, climate change, trophic interactions, and anthropogenic pressures

Methods

Data Records

Technical Validation

Additional Information