Data on primary productivity in the water column was collected during a 1988 cruise aboard the FRV "Franklin" in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Twenty stations were sampled.

Nutrients in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, were examined monthly between August 1991 and April 1992. Levels of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were measured, at four sites, at different depths in the water column.

Prawn larval densities were calculated from stepped oblique bottom to surface plankton tows, deployed during monthly cruises carried out at twenty-one stations in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria. Cruises were undertaken between March 1986 and April 1992. Penaeid prawn counts were recorded to species level (Penaeus spp.) for all observed larval stages. Sampling used a stepped-oblique tow, using a 0.5 x 0.5 square metre frame with 140-142 micron mesh. Salinity-temperature profiles were also recorded during the cruise.

Phytoplankton pigment composition (chlorophyll a concentration) was measured in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia. Four sites were sampled over six years between August 1986 and April 1992. In the last two years samples were taken at the bottom of the water column in addition to mid-depth.

Information about target species and by-catch, environment and practical prawn trawling was collected from current and past commercial operators in the Northern Prawn Fishery to guide and assist in the development of future CSIRO research projects in this geographic area. The information volunteered included both verbal and written responses to formal interviews, questionnaires and casual conversations. A casual approach seemed to encourage less guarded responses. Although the information refers to the defined management area of the NPF the practical experience to make such observations and interpretations may have been gained anywhere and where possible we have recorded the experience of the contributor in the fishing industry. The information volunteered was initially recorded onto data sheets and later in the laboratory transposed to Oracle tables.

Plankton samples were taken monthly at Groote Eylandt, Gulf of Carpentaria. Numbers and densities of plankton were measured and prawn post-larval data were collected.

Total zooplankton biomass levels were calculated from stepped oblique bottom to surface plankton tows, deployed during monthly cruises carried out at twenty-one stations in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria. Cruises were undertaken between March 1986 and April 1992. Total zooplankton biomass were calculated as grams dry weight. Sampling used a stepped-oblique tow, using a 0.5 x 0.5 square metre frame with either a 140-142 micron mesh (sampler_code = 'A'), or a 250 micron mesh (sampler_code='E')

Prawn larval densities were calculated from stepped oblique bottom to surface plankton tows, deployed during monthly cruises carried out between March 1986 and April 1992, at twenty-one stations in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria. Penaeid prawn counts were recorded to genus level (Penaeus spp.) for all observed larval stages. Salinity-temperature profiles were also recorded during the cruise.

Total zooplankton biomass (g dry weight) were recorded from stepped oblique bottom to surface plankton tows, using a 140-142 micron net. The data also includes a corrected biomass value, allowing comparisons to be made with later data collected using a 250 micron net size. Data were collected during nine cruises that took place between 1975 and 1977 on chartered boats and the "Kalinda". Related datasets include the counts of prawn larvae from these tows.

The biomass and species composition of tropical phytoplankton in Albatross Bay, Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, were examined monthly for six years between March 1986 and April 1992. Phytoplankton taxonomic groups were identified to genus level, and described as dominant, common or rare. Refer to the cited publication for detailed methodology.