Between 2009-2012, Geoscience Australia conducted three surveys to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and the Timor Sea on the R.V. Solander, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Science and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. The study areas overlapped the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve and the carbonate banks and terraces within it. The surveys were conducted as part of the Australian Government's Energy Security Program (2007-2011) and the National Environment Research Program (2011-2015). On the surveys, a benthic sled was deployed to collect biological samples from the seafloor. Samples were sorted onboard according to phylum, photographed and then sent to taxonomists for species-level identifications. This dataset provides a list of all identified sponge species. The associated image catalogue of collected sponges can be accessed here: https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/1216e0f4-099c-49f6-96f7-ed3eadc0cd15

Towed video surveys were carried out across five principle locations of regional interest, including Evans, Tassie and Blackwood Shoals, the closest shoals to the Barossa field, as well as two mid-shelf seabed locations adjacent to Goodrich Bank and Cape Helvetius. In total, 113 towed video transects and 2246 downward facing digital still images were collected at depths of between 11 and 100 metres. The towed platform was deployed over the stern of the vessel, maintained within a metre of the seabed and towed at 1-2 knots (1.5 nominal) until a minimum distance of 1.5 km was covered in a continuous line transect. On the vessel, a computer-based towed video program managed collation of position, depth, and operator-derived habitat classification data, which was captured in real time as an operator interpreted the live video feed, and then archived for subsequent spatial analysis. The seabed biodiversity surveys were undertaken by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in collaboration with ConocoPhillips as part of the Barossa field environmental baseline and marine studies program. The surveys were undertaken between 13 September and 1 October 2015, on the RV Solander. They covered five principal locations of regional interest, including Evans, Tassie and Blackwood Shoals, the closest shoals to the Barossa field, as well as two mid-shelf seabed locations adjacent to Goodrich Bank and Cape Helvetius, relevant to a potential gas export pipeline route.

Towed video surveys were carried out across five principle locations of regional interest, including Evans, Tassie and Blackwood Shoals, the closest shoals to the Barossa field, as well as two mid-shelf seabed locations adjacent to Goodrich Bank and Cape Helvetius. In total, 113 towed video transects and 2246 downward facing digital still images were collected at depths of between 11 and 100 metres. The towed platform was deployed over the stern of the vessel, maintained within a metre of the seabed and towed at 1-2 knots (1.5 nominal) until a minimum distance of 1.5 km was covered in a continuous line transect. On the vessel, a computer-based towed video program managed collation of position, depth, and operator-derived habitat classification data, which was captured in real time as an operator interpreted the live video feed, and then archived for subsequent spatial analysis. The seabed biodiversity surveys were undertaken by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in collaboration with ConocoPhillips as part of the Barossa field environmental baseline and marine studies program. The surveys were undertaken between 13 September and 1 October 2015, on the RV Solander. They covered five principal locations of regional interest, including Evans, Tassie and Blackwood Shoals, the closest shoals to the Barossa field, as well as two mid-shelf seabed locations adjacent to Goodrich Bank and Cape Helvetius, relevant to a potential gas export pipeline route.

Towed Video transects + Digital Stills SloVid Digital Stills Shallow and Deepwater BRUVs CTD casts Multibeam sonar ARP7 Reefs Trip 6903 To characterise the status of and natural temporal variability in sessile benthic biota and associated fish communities, across the plateau areas around Browse Island and its deeper waters. The project will provide a reference dataset, updated seasonally for two years, for the status of key biodiversity indicator habitats around Browse Island.

Towed Video transects + Digital Stills SloVid Digital Stills CTD BRUVS SBRUVS Echo Sounder Wave Glider Sediment Samples (CSIRO) ARP7 Reefs Trip 6823 To characterise the status of and natural temporal variability in sessile benthic biota and associated fish communities, across the plateau areas around Browse Island and its deeper waters. The project will provide a reference dataset, updated seasonally for two years, for the status of key biodiversity indicator habitats around Browse Island.

Geoscience Australia carried out marine surveys in southeast Tasmania in 2008 and 2009 (GA0315) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through observation of habitats using underwater towed video. Data was acquired using the Tasmania Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) Research Vessel Challenger. Bathymetric mapping was undertaken in seven survey areas, including: Freycinet Pensinula (83 sq km, east coast and shelf); Tasman Peninsula (117 sq km, east coast and shelf); Port Arthur and adjacent open coast (17 sq km); The Friars (41 sq km, south of Bruny Island); lower Huon River estuary (39 sq km); D Entrecastreaux Channel (7 sq km, at Tinderbox north of Bruny Island), and; Maria Island (3 sq km, western side). Video characterisations of the seabed concentrated on areas of bedrock reef and adjacent seabed in all mapped areas, except for D Entrecastreaux Channel and Maria Island. The "challenger" folder contains processed multibeam backscatter data of the South East Tasmania Shelf. The SIMRAD EM3002 multibeam backscatter data were processed using the CMST_GA MB Process, a multibeam processing toolbox codeveloped by Geoscience Australia and Curtin University of Technology This dataset is a contribution to the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub.

Towed Video transects + Digital StillsSloVid Digital StillsCTDBRUVSSBRUVSEcho SounderDrone ImagerySediment Samples (CSIRO) ARP7 Reefs Trip 6684To characterise the status of and natural temporal variability in sessile benthic biota and associated fish communities, across the plateau areas around Browse Island and its deeper waters. The project will provide a reference dataset, updated seasonally for two years, for the status of key biodiversity indicator habitats around Browse Island.

Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources within the Northern Territory Government (DENR) undertook collaborative seabed mapping surveys (GA0351/SOL6187, GA4452/SOL6432 and combined GA0361 & GA0362) in the Darwin-Bynoe Harbour region between 2015 and 2018. This seabed mapping project forms a core component of a four-year collaborative research program between DENR, GA and AIMS, which was funded by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project to DENR, with co-investment by GA and AIMS. The purpose of the program is to improve knowledge of the marine environments in the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour regions through the collation and acquisition of baseline data that enable the creation of habitat maps to better inform marine resource management decisions. Mapping and sampling in the survey area utilised multibeam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, underwater cameras and grab samplers. In total, this data package extends over an area of 1978 km2, including 1754 km2 mapped using multibeam echosounders, during four marine surveys over 247 days. The baseline environmental data acquired in this program provides new insights into the marine environments of the Greater Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region, will inform future environmental assessments in the region and help build our knowledge of seabed features and processes in tropical northern Australia.

Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources within the Northern Territory Government (DENR) undertook collaborative seabed mapping surveys (GA0351/SOL6187, GA4452/SOL6432 and combined GA0361 & GA0362) in the Darwin-Bynoe Harbour region between 2015 and 2018. This seabed mapping project forms a core component of a four-year collaborative research program between DENR, GA and AIMS, which was funded by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project to DENR, with co-investment by GA and AIMS. The purpose of the program is to improve knowledge of the marine environments in the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour regions through the collation and acquisition of baseline data that enable the creation of habitat maps to better inform marine resource management decisions. Mapping and sampling in the survey area utilised multibeam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, underwater cameras and grab samplers. In total, this data package extends over an area of 1978 km2, including 1754 km2 mapped using multibeam echosounders, during four marine surveys over 247 days. The baseline environmental data acquired in this program provides new insights into the marine environments of the Greater Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region, will inform future environmental assessments in the region and help build our knowledge of seabed features and processes in tropical northern Australia.

Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources within the Northern Territory Government (DENR) undertook collaborative seabed mapping surveys (GA0351/SOL6187, GA4452/SOL6432 and combined GA0361 & GA0362) in the Darwin-Bynoe Harbour region between 2015 and 2018. This seabed mapping project forms a core component of a four-year collaborative research program between DENR, GA and AIMS, which was funded by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project to DENR, with co-investment by GA and AIMS. The purpose of the program is to improve knowledge of the marine environments in the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour regions through the collation and acquisition of baseline data that enable the creation of habitat maps to better inform marine resource management decisions. Mapping and sampling in the survey area utilised multibeam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, underwater cameras and grab samplers. In total, this data package extends over an area of 1978 km2, including 1754 km2 mapped using multibeam echosounders, during four marine surveys over 247 days. The baseline environmental data acquired in this program provides new insights into the marine environments of the Greater Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region, will inform future environmental assessments in the region and help build our knowledge of seabed features and processes in tropical northern Australia.