Southern blue fin tuna have been released since 1959 using conventional tags. This is where the tag database has its origins and therefore a large amount of the data held in the database consists of conventional (dart) tags releases of this species in Australian waters. In recent times the data base has evolved to include many more species of pelagic and benthic fish, sharks and turtles. The advent of electronic tags, some with satellite and/or acoustic tracking ability has added to the complexity of the database. Not only do these electronic tags require additional fields for setup options before release, but also require tables to support the complex range of data retrieved from these tags. The data has been grouped into a number of projects. The purposes behind each such project are many and range from the collection of data required for population analyses (the estimation of mortality rates and growth rates), to the investigation of large and fine scale movements, feeding patterns as revealed by the use of ‘smart tags’. Also for many tagging programs there have been changes in tagging ability between skilled and novice taggers. Individual projects thus reflect these criteria so that each Marlin entry contains as nearly as possible a homogenous data set in terms of: 1. Species 2. Tag type 3. Taggers used, in particular the use of CSIRO or non CSIRO personnel 4. Period of coverage to ensure that particular variants of tag type were used 5. Specific project aims 6. Specific geographical area 7. Lead agency ( to ensure that appropriate permission is obtained before access to the data base is permitted) Thus all the species specific data contained in the CSIRO data base has been grouped into discrete Marlin metadata units. Tag data for a particular species may also be covered by multiple Marlin units. The CSIRO database manager has a full listing of the species numbers contained in all Marlin units. Species where more than 200 individuals have been tagged in individual or multiple projects are listed in the descriptive keyword section. Keywords: Tag, Conventional, Archival, Acoustic, Pop-Up, Satellite, Tuna, Swordfish, Shark, Pelagic Fish, Demersal Fish, Turtles.
This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 05/93. This cruise took place in waters east of Bass Strait and off the east, west and southern Tasmanian coasts during 14 July - 25 August 1993, under the leadership of Tony Koslow, Sebastian Rainer and Barry Bruce. Biological data collected on this cruise include photographic and dredge samples of several relatively unfished hills to examine the benthic habitat associated with the orange roughy and oreo dory fishery. Zooplankton and mid-water nekton samples. Extensive biological and distribution data on a wide range of demersal fish species, including SEF quota species. Stomach contents from SEF quota and other abundant fish species were sampled to determine their immediate feeding links and to compare with stable isotope analysis. Samples of fish, plankton and seafloor invertebrates were obtained for stable isotope analysis to provide preliminary data on their position in the community food web. Benthic and epibenthic samples to determine the appropriate intensity and spatial scale for experimental field studies on the effects of trawling on seafloor communities. Video photography of fish behaviour at the mouth of the trawl net. Acoustic data including data from St Helens Hill area to estimate the biomass of orange roughy. Specimens of SEF quota and other species for collaborative studies in other Australian research institutions. Blue grenadier egg and larval samples to assist in planning a future survey of blue grenadier biomass. 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).