The scientific objectives for the survey were split across two voyages (SS11/2006 for leg 1 and SS02/2007 for leg 2). They were to: (1) use advanced sampling tools and techniques that are, to the extent possible, non destructive (2) collect precisely georeferenced baseline data at scientific reference sites to enable indicators to be quantified (e.g. biodiversity metrics and levels of fishing effort at each site). These data will be documented and available for use for targeted monitoring during subsequent surveys (1) provide results that can assess the achievement of the TSMR management plan to date (revisit four seamounts photographed in 1997 - Main Pedra, Sister 1, K1 and D1; look for changes in fished and unfished sites) and refine baseline data (2) enable future assessment against performance objectives for the TSMR and selected proposed Commonwealth MPAs - Huon, Tasman Fracture and possibly South Tasman Rise and Freycinet depending on the time available at sea (3) test efficiency of the various biodiversity metrics to determine effectiveness, cost and potential for monitoring other deepwater reserves (4) provide samples for key taxa that can be used in subsequent genetic research to refine definition and extent of endemicity in deepwater fauna (5) complete swath mapping of relevant parts of continental slope between Hobart and SW Cape. This Metadata record describes the imagery data taken with the deep video-system and sediment data taken with a Smith-McIntyre grab. The image annotations collected for this project have been added to the Oracle data base BHIMAGE and the associated videos and still images have been archived as described in MarLIN record 14436 'Benthic Habitats Video Image Archive'. Sediment data has been processed by GA and integrated into the MARS data base.

The scientific objectives for the survey were split across two voyages (SS11/2006 for leg 1 and SS02/2007 for leg 2). They were to: * use advanced sampling tools and techniques that are, to the extent possible, non destructive * collect precisely georeferenced baseline data at scientific reference sites to enable indicators to be quantified (e.g. biodiversity metrics and levels of fishing effort at each site). These data will be documented and available for use for targeted monitoring during subsequent surveys * provide results that can assess the achievement of the TSMR management plan to date (revisit four seamounts photographed in 1997 - Main Pedra, Sister 1, K1 and D1; look for changes in fished and unfished sites) and refine baseline data * enable future assessment against performance objectives for the TSMR and selected proposed Commonwealth MPAs - Huon, Tasman Fracture and possibly South Tasman Rise and Freycinet depending on the time available at sea * test efficiency of the various biodiversity metrics to determine effectiveness, cost and potential for monitoring other deepwater reserves * provide samples for key taxa that can be used in subsequent genetic research to refine definition and extent of endemicity in deepwater fauna * complete swath mapping of relevant parts of continental slope between Hobart and SW Cape This metadata record refers to the acoustic swath and the video data collected during the first of the two surveys. The image annotations collected for this project have been added to the Oracle data base BHIMAGE and the associated videos and still images have been archived as described in MarLIN record 14436 'Benthic Habitats Video Image Archive'.

The overall aims were to provide data on the distribution of deep seabed habitats and fauna that are amenable to scientific hypothesis testing, can be immediately applied to marine resource management processes, and that enable strategic development of tools and techniques for understanding the processes that maintain deep sea biodiversity. This work was to support the process of NWR Estate inventory and management performance assessment by providing interpreted benthic habitat maps, faunal inventories, distribution maps and conservation values. Data will be collected at scientific reference sites from potential MPA areas that can be re-visited for monitoring purposes in the future. Sampling along environmental gradients (geographic range and depth) in this section of Australia's coast will also provide the opportunity to evaluate biogeographic hypotheses. Further refinement of predictive methods for identifying seabed habitat types, initially developed in temperate and cool-temperate environments, will be enabled by data collection from this tropical location in Australia. We intended to highlight the importance of this underlying science as a modern 'Voyage of Discovery' given the likely significance of the findings in terms of Australia's biodiversity and its biogeography and evolution. (From Voyage Plan) This record describes the video and still imagery collected with the CSIRO deep-towed camera system. Imagery has not been systematically annotated or scored. The associated videos and still images have been archived as described in MarLIN record 14436 'Benthic Habitats Video Image Archive'

This dataset contains video mapping data collected on Southern Surveyor voyage SS 07/2005. The voyage took place off the Western Australian Coast during July August 2005. Map data were collected successfully at all locations; map data were processed and products made on board; these were used to target photographic and sediment sampling. Initial map products are of extremely high quality and enable visualization of habitat features at a range of relevant spatial scales. There was a total of 223 sampling stations at 21 sites: 2 box cores, 16 stereo video and stills camera stations; 49 CTD casts; 107 smith macintyre grabs and 2 sherman sleds. Sediment and photographic data were taken successfully at virtually all planned stations at depths of 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 700 m and 1000 m (a few were lost to weather), and at several additional stations. Sub-samples from sediments were taken for geological analysis, faunal analysis, and stable isotope analysis. The quality of the video and still digital photographic data was very high; a wide variety of previously unseen seabed types and benthic animals were recorded. This record relates to the video data collected on this voyage that was scored for dominant substrate, geomorphology, habitat structure and dominant fauna and databased. These data have been added to the Oracle data base BHIMAGE and the associated videos and still images have been archived as described in MarLIN record 14436 'Benthic Habitats Video Image Archive'.

The collaborative voyage, on RV Thomas G Thompson, including US and Australian researchers was led by chief scientists Dr Jess Adkins from the California Institute of Technology and Dr Ron Thresher from CSIRO's Climate Adaptation and Wealth from Oceans Flagships. This voyage follows up on work done on RV Southern Surveyor during SS 01/2008. The survey deployed the ROV Jason in the Huon and Tasman Fracture Commonwealth Marine Reserve, south-west of Tasmania, It also sampled areas of the Cascade Seamount and seamounts off the coast at St Helens (Tas). The focus of the survey was collection of fossil corals (Desmophyllum sp.), description of habitats at depth between 700 and 4000 m depth and establishing two long-term monitoring sites in the Huon CMR (settlement plates). It explored and sampled on the near vertical slice in the earth's crust, known as the Tasman Fracture Zone, which drops from approximately 2000 metres to over 4000 metres. Jason was used to collect video, high definition still images (mosaiced images) and selective samples of fossil corals and invertebrate fauna.

This is the CSIRO portion of the collaborative Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania (TAFI)/CSIRO Marine Research Project titled 'Understanding Shelf-break Habitat for Sustainable Management of Fisheries with Spatial Overlap', which aimed to map and understand shelf-break seabed habitats (~150-350m depths) around Tasmania, Australia, which is an area of interaction between two fishery sectors, giant crab trappers and finfish trawlers. Both of these have been expanding over the past decade, with potential of impact to target species abundance, habitat structure, and ecosystem structure. This project aimed to research the habitat effects of these activities over the period 2003-2005 through sampling of fished and unfished areas using video transects, multi-beam acoustic swath mapping, and collection of physical samples using sediment grabs and benthic sleds, using chartered vessels and a voyage of the National Facility FRV Southern Surveyor in 2004. Specific objectives for the giant crab (Pseudocarcinas gigas) habitat survey are as follows: - define and map giant crab habitat on the shelf edge, at several key locations off the Tasmanian east and west coasts; - detail distribution of giant crabs in relation to habitat features; - evaluate ecosystem links between habitats; - evaluate the vulnerability of habitat to damage by fishing (trawls and pots); and - evaluate the ability to obtain fishery independent information by video on the abundance, sex ratio, condition and size of giant crabs. The CSIRO portion of the work comprised a series of four surveys to assess the seabed habitats of the giant crab at the edge of the continental shelf around Tasmania. The image annotations collected for this project have been added to the Oracle data base BHIMAGE and the associated videos and still images have been archived as described in MarLIN record 14436 'Benthic Habitats Video Image Archive'.