High resolution multibeam sonar mapping occurred during the CERF Carnarvon Shelf Survey. The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of the survey was to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data test a range of physical parameters for relationships to the biodiversity and seabed patterns across the offshore Carnarvon shelf, adjacent to Ningaloo. Estimates of relative importance of latitude, distance offshore, water depth, physical setting, exposure and local habitat complexity were explored in relation to biodiversity patterns in the region. Areas mapped include Mandu Creek (80 km2), Point Cleats (218km2) and Gnaraloo (321 km2). The seabed between the outer continental shelf and the outer edge of Ningaloo reef was covered. Bathymetric profiles of inner shelf, mid shelf and outer shelf areas for each locations characterised the seabed, and provided detailed measurements of seabed depth (m), shelf width (km), average gradient (O) and relief (m). An additional area was mapped north of the Muiron Islands in the outher Exmouth Gulf region. Other parties were involved in the collection of the data, and additional permission may be required for its use and/or distribution.

The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of the survey was to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data test a range of physical parameters for relationships to the biodiversity and seabed patterns across the offshore Carnarvon shelf, adjacent to Ningaloo. Estimates of relative importance of latitude, distance offshore, water depth, physical setting, exposure and local habitat complexity were explored in relation to biodiversity patterns in the region. The region is highly variable in its geomorphology, where shelf width ranges from less than 6km (northern region at Mandu) to more than 30kms (southern region at Gnaraloo). The surveys collected physical data: - wave and current measurements - multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter - sediment grab samples - acoustic sediment profiles And biological data: - towed underwater video and stills photography - bottom sediment samples - near-bottom plankton samples Data sources and results were compared to determine the influence of physical and biological seabed features. The study used existing AIMS underwater video survey data and seabed samples. Please note: as other parties were involved in the collection of the data, that additional permission may be required for its use and/or distribution.

The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of the survey was to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data test a range of physical parameters for relationships to the biodiversity and seabed patterns across the offshore Carnarvon shelf, adjacent to Ningaloo. Estimates of relative importance of latitude, distance offshore, water depth, physical setting, exposure and local habitat complexity were explored in relation to biodiversity patterns in the region. Two moorings were deployed at a transect on the inner shelf adjacent to Point Cloates from 09/08/2008 – 12/09/2008. The moorings were deployed at 54 m water depth and 32 m water depth for a period of 33 days. These data was compared to the AIMS long term oceanographic mooring located north of Tantabiddi. The mooring at site one (22O 49.0294’S 113 O 36.9100’E) consisted of instruments for RD Instruments Workhorse Sentinel 600 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and a van Essen conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) probe. The mooring at site two (22 O 43.2789’S 113 O 38.8500’E) consisted of instruments Nortek Vector Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) and Seabird SBE37 CTD. These instruments collected 3 dimensional current vector and water depth readings; conductivity, temperature and pressure, salinity and depth. Results were compared to available meteorological data. Other parties were involved in the collection of the data, and additional permission may be required for its use and/or distribution.

This report provides a description of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, in August and September, 2008. The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of field surveys in the Surrogates Program is to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data to enable the robust testing of a range of physical parameters as surrogates of patterns of benthic biodiversity in strategically selected, spatially discrete areas that are representative of much broader benthic environments. The report describes the methods employed in the survey and the datasets collected. Additional processing of most of the physical data (wave and current measurements, multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter, sediment grab samples, acoustic sediment profiles) and biological data (towed underwater video and stills photography, bottom sediment samples, near-bottom plankton samples) collected is required before comparative analysis between the data sets can commence. However, a number of initial interpretations of the physical data have been made and examples of the types of biota encountered in the towed video and stills photography and initial interpretations of the benthic communities encountered, are provided. The survey was focussed on three strategically selected study areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf at Mandu, Point Cloates and Gnaraloo. A small additional area was also examined near the Muiron Islands, in the mouth of Exmouth Gulf, at the end of the survey.

This report provides a description of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, in August and September, 2008. The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of field surveys in the Surrogates Program is to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data to enable the robust testing of a range of physical parameters as surrogates of patterns of benthic biodiversity in strategically selected, spatially discrete areas that are representative of much broader benthic environments. The report describes the methods employed in the survey and the datasets collected. Additional processing of most of the physical data (wave and current measurements, multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter, sediment grab samples, acoustic sediment profiles) and biological data (towed underwater video and stills photography, bottom sediment samples, near-bottom plankton samples) collected is required before comparative analysis between the data sets can commence. However, a number of initial interpretations of the physical data have been made and examples of the types of biota encountered in the towed video and stills photography and initial interpretations of the benthic communities encountered, are provided. The survey was focussed on three strategically selected study areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf at Mandu, Point Cloates and Gnaraloo. A small additional area was also examined near the Muiron Islands, in the mouth of Exmouth Gulf, at the end of the survey.

This report provides a description of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, in August and September, 2008. The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of field surveys in the Surrogates Program is to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data to enable the robust testing of a range of physical parameters as surrogates of patterns of benthic biodiversity in strategically selected, spatially discrete areas that are representative of much broader benthic environments. The report describes the methods employed in the survey and the datasets collected. Additional processing of most of the physical data (wave and current measurements, multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter, sediment grab samples, acoustic sediment profiles) and biological data (towed underwater video and stills photography, bottom sediment samples, near-bottom plankton samples) collected is required before comparative analysis between the data sets can commence. However, a number of initial interpretations of the physical data have been made and examples of the types of biota encountered in the towed video and stills photography and initial interpretations of the benthic communities encountered, are provided. The survey was focussed on three strategically selected study areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf at Mandu, Point Cloates and Gnaraloo. A small additional area was also examined near the Muiron Islands, in the mouth of Exmouth Gulf, at the end of the survey.

This report provides a description of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, in August and September, 2008. The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of field surveys in the Surrogates Program is to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data to enable the robust testing of a range of physical parameters as surrogates of patterns of benthic biodiversity in strategically selected, spatially discrete areas that are representative of much broader benthic environments. The report describes the methods employed in the survey and the datasets collected. Additional processing of most of the physical data (wave and current measurements, multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter, sediment grab samples, acoustic sediment profiles) and biological data (towed underwater video and stills photography, bottom sediment samples, near-bottom plankton samples) collected is required before comparative analysis between the data sets can commence. However, a number of initial interpretations of the physical data have been made and examples of the types of biota encountered in the towed video and stills photography and initial interpretations of the benthic communities encountered, are provided. The survey was focussed on three strategically selected study areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf at Mandu, Point Cloates and Gnaraloo. A small additional area was also examined near the Muiron Islands, in the mouth of Exmouth Gulf, at the end of the survey.

The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program. The purpose of the survey was to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data test a range of physical parameters for relationships to the biodiversity and seabed patterns across the offshore Carnarvon shelf, adjacent to Ningaloo. Estimates of relative importance of latitude, distance offshore, water depth, physical setting, exposure and local habitat complexity were explored in relation to biodiversity patterns in the region. Seabed benthic habitats were examined for distribution and abundance of marine flora and fauna, and for habitat complexity. Towed-video transects, epi-faunal sleds and infaunal grabs were collected across the shelf areas of three sites: Mandu, Point Cloates and Gnaraloo. Towed-video observations and analysis characterised each site’s habitat and macro-organisms, with forward facing video camera and down-facing stills camera towed for approximately 500m from the near shore to shelf break area. Using the AIMS habitat classifications Scheme (Speare et al., 2004) substrata, benthos, and individual organisms are recorded. Total video states at each sites: Mandu (32), Point Cloates (44) and Gnaraloo (46) Two towed epi-benthic sleds sampled benthic assemblages and distribution of epifauna at seabed stations across the three survey areas. Samples retrieved were weighed for total mass, and specimens were then sorted into taxa-similar groups, photographed and preserved. At some stations, images were recorded during tow deployment. All epi-faunal samples were transported to the Museum of Western Australia for storage, further processing, taxonomic identification. Total of epi-benthic sleds collected: Mandu (30), Point Cloates (38) and Gnaraloo (34) Sediment samples were collected at stations with a Smith-McIntyre Grab sampler for infaunal distribution and abundance. Two grab attempts were made at each site, and successful grab samples were sieved and retained material was preserved. Samples were transported to GeoScience Australia for sorting and analysis.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wavegenerated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km. cloates_3m is an ArcINFO grid of Point Cloates of Carnarvon Shelf survey area produced from the processed EM3002 bathymetry data using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is a contribution to the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub.

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. port_160 is an ArcINFO grid of the Port Arthur survey area produced from the processed EM3002 bathymetry data using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is a contribution to the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub.