Reef Life Survey (RLS): Global reef fish dataset

Updated: 2026-04-10

[This data has been superseded by a synthesised global dataset which includes additional ecological data contributed by non-RLS entities (National Reef Monitoring Network). Please visit the corresponding NRMN Collection (IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network Sub-Facility - Global off-transect species observations || Global reef fish abundance and biomass) for the most current version of this data. See "Downloads and Links" section below.] This dataset contains records of bony fishes and elasmobranchs collected by Reef Life Survey (RLS) divers along 50m transects on shallow rocky and coral reefs, worldwide. Abundance information is available for all records found within quantitative survey limits (50 x 5 m swathes during a single swim either side of the transect line, each distinguished as a Block), and out-of-survey records are identified as presence-only (Method 0). Although surveys are undertaken as part of monitoring programs at particular locations (mostly in Australia), this dataset contains does not include repeat surveys of sites. This data has been superseded by the NRMN collections "IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network - Global reef fish abundance and biomass" (http://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/b273fafa-03d6-4fc2-9acf-39d8c06581e5) and "IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network - Global off-transect species observations" (http://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/a73907b7-3686-4dcf-8a1d-7efc4e5ffc05).