This dataset presents an interim provincial-scale bioregionalisation for the shelf region of the Australian EEZ. The regionalisations were derived from RAP (Rapid Assessment Procedure) analyses of available fish distribution data. The dynamic evolution of the marine biota and the extensive mixing of species assemblages is catered for by the introduction of biotones. Bioregions are shown to be extensive and highly diverse, containing species from a number of core provinces. A provincial scale bioregionalisation was derived for the pelagic and demersal systems separately. The pelagic bioregionalisation comprises 4 bioregions (two provinces and two zootones) of much more extensive spatial scale that the demersal bioregionalisation (17 bioregions, 9 provinces and 8 biotones). Distribution maps for approx. 150 key fish species used to construct the bioregions are indexed separately (see graphics link and "related datasets"). The data are also linked to oceanographic regionalisation data (see documentation link for details).

38kHz Simrad ES60 acoustic data collected during commercial fishing of spawning orange roughy off the Tasmanian east coast in 2004. Acoustic data is held by the CSIRO Marine Science Acoustic Group (Hobart). Additional data: gps embedded in ES60 .raw files, Wildlife computers MK9 temperature/depth loggers attached to headline of trawl net, AMFA (Australian Fisheries Mangement Authority) observer biological data (species, length, weight, sex, stage)(contact AFMA Observer section), AFMA trawl shot log - filled in by ships officers for each trawl shot, showing catch, location etc (contact AFMA Observer section).

Between 1947 and 1956 a study lead by Mick Olsen resulted in 6502 school and 587 gummy sharks being tagged in south-east Australia. Most of the school shark were tagged in inshore bays and estuaries, notably Port Phillip Bay, Port Sorell, Georges Bay and Pittwater. Most of the gummy shark were tagged in inshore areas around Flinders Island and the north coast of Tasmania. A total of 594 school shark and 60 gummy shark were recaptured. This data set includes field sheets and the tags returned to CSIRO. These records are cataloged in the TRIM Records database, as follows: AB2008/1038: CMAR - School and Gummy Shark Tagging by CSIRO in Southern Australia 1947-1956 - Mick Olsen and Grant West - MarLIN record 8218 This Archive Box number incorporates 2 containers: "C2008/6921-01: CMAR - School and Gummy Shark Tagging by CSIRO in Southern Australia 1947-1956 - Mick Olsen and Grant West - MarLIN record 8218 - Part 1 - Tag Data Field Sheets" [associated files lodged within as separate objects]; and "C2008/6921-02: CMAR - School and Gummy Shark Tagging by CSIRO in Southern Australia 1947-1956 - Mick Olsen and Grant West - MarLIN record 8218 - Part 2 - Tags and Olsen Card Index [in metal filing cabinet]"

46 school shark were tagged with archival tags during 1997-98, in South Australian and Tasmanian waters. 19 tags were recovered. The tags yielded 15.3 years of data on light level, depth and temperature collected at 4 minute intervals. The basic release-recapture data has been entered into the CSIRO pelagic tag data base but not the actual electronic data. The electronic data for the Lotek tags is in a different format to that of the Wildlife Computer tags, and may require dedicated geolocation software to process. Wildlife Computers provides geolocation software for their tags free of charge. While longitudinal movements have been described, there was no analysis of corresponding latitudes, as light-based latitude estimation was unreliable. There is scope for additional research into latitudinal movements based on the depth data. The depth pattern shown by the sharks can be used to examine if the fish was close to the bottom, and combined with a longitude estimate for a particular day, latitude can be estimated as across much of southern Australia where depth increases with latitude. However, there is a software development challenge associated with this, as there may be more than one depth fit for a particular longitude, especially towards eastern Australia. In this eastern region the restricted depth of Bass Strait can provide additional information on the latitude, as fish data at >86m indicates that it was too deep for Bass Strait. An additional factor that was not examined was the temperature data from the tags. In pelagic species surface water temperature is used to estimate latitude and at times school shark do come close to the surface. Some of the tags were set up to record internal as well as external temperatures but this data was not examined. There have been 2 recaptures of Wildlife Computers tags since West & Stevens (1996) published the results. There have also been two Lotek tags returned since this publication but the data for these tags was corrupted.