This record describes the sediment size data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Sediment samples were collected using a sediment sampler aboard a benthic sled deployed on 4 cruises of FRV "Southern Surveyor" on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Samples were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively. For the purpose of this study, sediment data were used primarily to characterise habitat types by particle size as well as to complement other habitat data derived from acoustic measurements. In addition, portions of the sediment samples were used for pigment and stable isotope analysis (see separate metadata records).

Sea snake collection records were compiled for use in two research projects: (a) Risk assessment and mitigation for sea snakes caught in the Northern Prawn Fishery (Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 2005/051), and (b) Scientific support for regional marine planning and marine protected area design in the North Marine Region (A Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) project). This metadata record refers specifically to the customised dataset that was created for delivery to DEW. The sea snake dataset is a compilation of collection records from CSIRO and other agencies. There are 11023 records of 41 species. The CSIRO data sources included the following: (a) Bycatch monitoring (FRDC 2002/035); (b) Bycatch sustainability (FRDC 96/257); (c) CSIRO red snapper project (ACIAR); (d) CSIRO scientific observer program, GOC, 1996-98; (e) CSIRO scientific observer program, GOC, 2000-01; (f) CSIRO scientific observer program, JBG, 2003; (g) Crew member observer program, GOC, 2003-05; (h) Effects of trawl design (FRDC 93/179); (i) GBR effects of trawling; (j) NPF pre-season monitoring; (k) Tropical fish (FIRDC 88/77); (l) Tropical prawn ecology 1992-1995; and (m) Tropical prawn project (Redfield). The non-CSIRO data sources were (a) Australian Museum, (b) Bureau of Rural Sciences, (c) NT Fisheries scientific observers, (d) Northern Territory Museum, (e) QDPI scientific observers, (f) Queensland Museum, and (g) Western Australian Museum.

The dataset comprises catch records of invertebrates and fish from epibenthic sled deployments completed on research voyage SS 03/2005. The survey design was a natural experiment (i.e. control-impact, but not before-after) to test the long-term, broadscale effects of prawn fishing on non-target species and habitats. Deployments were stratified by fishing intensity (three strata) and day/night. The survey was repeated in three regions: (a) north of Groote Eylandt, (b) north-east of the Vanderlins, and (c) north of Mornington Island. The number of deployments completed as part of the natural experiment was 124. Two additional deployments were completed for other reasons.

This record describes the benthic assemblage survey data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Benthic sled tows (c.4 per survey) were carried out at selected locations on transects across the continental shelf and in intensive survey areas in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Large collections of benthic invertebrates were identified and many photographed. As part of the analysis stage of the project, these assemblages wil be related to substrate characteristics on the one hand and fish faunal assemblages on the other.

This record describes pigment data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Pigment samples were taken from plankton net samples and from the sediment sampler on a benthic sled, deployed on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Samples were later analysed in the laboratory for presence and concentrations of chlorophyll compounds and their breakdown products. These data will be used to determine the origin of primary production and the nature of its decomposition process within the ecosystem.

The benthic invertebrate, plant and fish biodiversity of the 50,000 km² area of the Torres Strait Protected Zone and adjacent shelf seabed was sampled by a 200 m tow of a 1.5 m epibenthic sled at 166 sites, representing a wide range of known physical environments, during one 1-month-long voyage on the James Cook University vessel James Kirby. More than 1,550 species/species-equivalent OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were identified. The dataset comprises 8,569 site-by-species records. A pipe-dredge was attached to the sled to collect sediment samples: a 500 ml subsample was processed for particle size and carbonate by Geoscience Australia; another 500 ml subsample was sieved on 1 mm mesh and preserved in 10% Formalin - Rose Bengal solution.

This record describes the biological survey data (species IDs and catch compositions) collected during the NORFANZ voyage on the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, in May-June 2003. Fourteen seamount and slope sites were sampled, 10 on the Norfolk Ridge and 4 on the Lord Howe Rise. A total of 168 operations were completed, including 144 trawl-sled-dredge shots, in depths ranging from less than 100 m to over 2000 m. Gear types included bottom trawls, midwater trawl, beam trawl, epibenthic sleds, and rock and pipe dredges. The dataset contains records of 1,622 macroinvertebrate species or provisional species units in 15 phyla, and 582 fish species in 122 families, and is expected to include a significant percentage of species new to science. Species identifications received from expert taxonomists received up to 2012 have been integrated into the catch data that are archived by the CSIRO Data Centre and available through the CSIRO Marine data trawler. Specimens are all lodged in Australian and New Zealand museum collections Accompanying these survey data are photographs and, in some cases, voucher specimens which are described in separate metadata records. To date at least 21 taxonomic revisions and species descriptions used material collected in this survey.