Three FRV Southern Surveyor cruises took place in the Gulf of Carpentaria: SS3/90 (108 stations), SS5/91 (80 stations) and SS1/93 (80 stations). Samples were collected in fish trawls and dredges and sediment samples were taken. Temperature and salinity data were also collected.
The dataset comprises catch records of syngnathids (seahorses, pipefish etc.) from demersal fish trawls, demersal prawn trawls and epibenthic sled samples from the North Marine Region. It is a compilation of data from 9 research voyages (SO 05/80, SO 07/80, SO 02/81, SS 03/90, SS 05/91, SS 01/93, SS 02/97, SS 08/97 and SS 03/98) and the CSIRO scientific observer program, 1996-98. The dataset was created for the Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) for use in profiling of the North Marine Region during the development of a marine bioregional plan for the region.
The dataset comprises catch records of demersal fish and invertebrates from demersal fish trawls, demersal prawn trawls and epibenthic sled samples from the Northern Planning Region. It is a compilation of data from 9 research voyages (SO 05/80, SO 07/80, SO 02/81, SS 03/90, SS 05/91, SS 01/93, SS 02/97, SS 08/97and SS 03/98). The catch of each species in a sample is recorded as raw weight and count, gross weight and count (raw values divided by the subsampling fraction) and per area weight and count. Species are recorded as CAAB codes. Sample attributes include the voyage, location, time, sampling gear and sampled area. The dataset was created for the Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) for use in profiling of the North Marine Region during the development of a marine bioregional plan for the region. Data from all voyages are in a single set of tables and in the same structure and measurement units. The aim of the dataset is to provide convenient access to the data from the source datasets, which were stored in various data structures in various locations. Although the data are presented in uniform measurement units of counts and weights per unit area, data from different samples cannot be assumed to be comparable. In particular, the catchability of a species varies among types of sampling gears. Even samples from a given gear type on a given voyage may not all be comparable to one another. For example, gear may be altered during a voyage (e.g. multiple codend mesh sizes may be tried) and fish trawls are occasionally aimed at fish visible on the echo sounder. The data should therefore be analysed no more than semi-quantitatively. Assumptions on the comparability of samples -- even from a single voyage and gear type -- should be based on reference to the voyage reports.
This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 01/93. This cruise took place in waters off northern Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria during 11 January - 12 February 1993, under the leadership of John Salini. Biological data collected on this cruise include fish species composition and abundance data from 27 demersal trawls and benthic samples from dredging. RoxAnne acoustic data and hydrology samples. Seabird data from Magra and Saunders Islands. Data from the environmentally friendly net (EFN) and Engels net trawling trials including some video photography and benthic samples from dredging. Tissue samples from 143 Lutjanus malabaricus and 24 L. sebae and 63 other lutjanids (3 species) for population genetics studies. Numerous specimens were retained for the I. S. R. Munro Fish collection in Hobart and photographic images of the very large specimens. Cephalopods samples which consisted mainly of the loliginid squids. Please note: This metadata record is a preliminary entry derived from information in the cruise plan and/or cruise report. Individual data types - which may span several cruises - will be indexed separately within this metadata system in due course. - Biological Field Data Sheets recorded during this voyage have been scanned to PDF, and are available (to CSIRO Staff) on-line. See the details link under "Stored Media List" (below).