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. 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. 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.

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.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through co-located sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave-generated 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. Seabed sediment samples were collected by a Smith McIntyre grab at a total of 275 locations, divided between Mandu Creek (n=81), Point Cloates (n=92), Gnaraloo (n=92) and Muiron Islands (n=10). The full sample set represents 102 sampling stations at which two sediment grabs were collected in close proximity. The exception to this was at Mandu Creek where three grabs were collected at 19 stations and at Gnaraloo where single grabs were taken at three stations. At Muiron Islands, single grabs were collected at five stations and two grabs at three stations (see Brooke et al. 2009). This dataset is a contribution to the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub.

The Carnarvon Shelf Survey (SOL4769, GA survey #0308) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 12 August and 15 September 2008. The survey was operated as part of the Surrogates Program of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub. The survey was completed under a Memorandum of Understanding between GA and the AIMS and represents the first of three surveys planned under this agreement. The objective was 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. Underwater video footage and still images were collected from 122 stations from water depths of 13-125 m, although video quality varies among transects and some still images were not of suitable quality for analysis. Images from the still camera can be found in 'Image Library', and images from towed video screen captures can be found in 'Tow Video Stills'. Image files from screen captures are named according to area (1 = Mandu, 2 = Point Cloates, 3 = Gnarloo) followed by the station number and video identifier (TVA1). For example, 2_032TVA1 would represent a towed video transect from Station 32 at Point Cloates. See GA Record 2009/02 (Geocat #68525) for further details. Video footage was recorded to mini DV tapes, and copied to digital format. The original mini DV tapes are archived at AIMS-WA.

The Carnarvon Shelf Survey (SOL4769, GA survey #0308) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 12 August and 15 September 2008. The survey was operated as part of the Surrogates Program of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub. The survey was completed under a Memorandum of Understanding between GA and the AIMS and represents the first of three surveys planned under this agreement. The objective was 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. Underwater video footage and still images were collected from 122 stations from water depths of 13-125 m, although video quality varies among transects and some still images were not of suitable quality for analysis. Images from the still camera can be found in 'Image Library', and images from towed video screen captures can be found in 'Tow Video Stills'. Image files from screen captures are named according to area (1 = Mandu, 2 = Point Cloates, 3 = Gnarloo) followed by the station number and video identifier (TVA1). For example, 2_032TVA1 would represent a towed video transect from Station 32 at Point Cloates. See GA Record 2009/02 (Geocat #68525) for further details. Video footage was recorded to mini DV tapes, and copied to digital format. The original mini DV tapes are archived at AIMS-WA.

The Carnarvon Shelf Survey (SOL4769, GA survey #0308) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 12 August and 15 September 2008. The survey was operated as part of the Surrogates Program of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub. The survey was completed under a Memorandum of Understanding between GA and the AIMS and represents the first of three surveys planned under this agreement. The objective was 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. Underwater video footage and still images were collected from 122 stations from water depths of 13-125 m, although video quality varies among transects and some still images were not of suitable quality for analysis. Images from the still camera can be found in 'Image Library', and images from towed video screen captures can be found in 'Tow Video Stills'. Image files from screen captures are named according to area (1 = Mandu, 2 = Point Cloates, 3 = Gnarloo) followed by the station number and video identifier (TVA1). For example, 2_032TVA1 would represent a towed video transect from Station 32 at Point Cloates. See GA Record 2009/02 (Geocat #68525) for further details. Video footage was recorded to mini DV tapes, and copied to digital format. The original mini DV tapes are archived at AIMS-WA.