Juvenile tiger prawns were collected by beam trawl in the Embley River, Gulf of Carpentaria in October 1993, March 1994 and October/November 1994. The following parameters were measured: prawn numbers, carapace length, species, seagrass, biomass, salinity, temperature and depth. Field experiments were carried out using enclosure nets.

Fortnightly sampling of juvenile prawns took place over six years (1986-1992). These samples were mainly taken from the Embley River and Albatross Bay, plus one set that were taken from the Wenlock and Archer Rivers. Samples were collected using beam trawls, plankton nets and set nets. Data recorded include species and length frequency. As part of this project, monthly temperature and salinity measurements were also taken from transects in the Embley River. These data are often referred to as the "Embley River Hydro Dataset".

Adult grooved tiger prawns (Penaeus semisulcatus) were caught in prawn trawls during one transect of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the FRV Southern Surveyor. The catches were used to assess offshore migration of the species. Data collected include length frequency, sex and gonad stage. Data were collected using 39 paired Florida Flyer trawls centred on 6nm grids across approximately 13 sites. The sites are spaced some distance apart along the cruise track (a transect from Weipa to N Groote and back to Weipa). The AusTED and standard codend were compared in these trawls, and the same data were also to be used monitor the distribution of Penaeus semisulcatus across the Gulf. Problem shots were retrawled when possible to meet the experimental design. Nine were abandoned due to lack of time.

Trawling of commercial prawn species was undertaken in the Western Gulf of Carpentaria, in the Groote Eylandt region. Areas subject to commercial fishing were targeted, with sampling being undertaken at approximately monthly intervals between October 1982 and March 1983. The sampling platform was the 15.8m prawn trawler F.V. "Paulwin", towing standard double-twin rig otter trawls. All prawns sampled were identified, sexed, and measured. The total weight for each species, by sex, was measured to ± 5g. Project objectives were: To determine the size composition of the principal tiger prawn species (Penaeus esculentus and Penaeus semisulcatus) and endeavour prawn species (Metapenaeus endeavouri and Metapenaeus ensis) on the commercial fishing grounds subject to seasonal closure in the western Gulf of Carpentaria; to undertake these determinations at monthly intervals between October 1982 and March 1983 inclusive, using a chartered prawn trawler; and to assess and report on the size composition of prawns on fishing grounds within or adjacent to the closed area with reference to the effectiveness of the closures in space and time. Refer to the listed report for further information.

Prawn trawl data from Weipa, East and South East Gulf of Carpentaria in the late 1970s. The main objective was to ascertain the distribution and abundance of each of the main commercial and some non-commercial penaeid species. The main data collection was performed off the Judy B with cruises repeated every month for 13 months; some other vessels were involved at different times (Kalinda, Raptis Pearl, Sprightly). Trawling was conducted at night and consisting of 30 minute shots. All prawns were sorted by species (general codes used) and sex, but no weights were recorded. Catch rates were expressed as number of prawns caught per net per hour. There were more than four sampling plans.

Beam trawl surveys of juvenile prawns were carried out between the Vanderlin Islands and Rosy Creek, Gulf of Carpentaria to investigate the impact of dredging by MacArthur River Mines.

This data was collected to obtain base information for prawn management advice. Data were collated by 6 nm grid squares species, sex and size distribution (carapace length) of prawns in the commercial catch 1988 - 1990 inclusive. Also collated were turtle distribution in catches in 1989. All samples were taken and processed by CSIRO trained commercial trawl boat crews and presumably all samples were taken from areas of high abundance at that time. The fishing times over this period were 15 April to 22 June and about 1 August to 30 November.

Seagrass aerial surveys were used to produce maps of the Groote Eylandt area. Samples of juvenile and sub-adult prawns were taken by beam trawl at Groote Eylandt, Blue Mud Bay and Sir Edward Pellew Islands under various sampling regimes between 1983 and 1989.

This dataset was collected mainly to provide banana prawn length-frequency data by undertaking size sampling of commercial catches of banana prawns (P merguiensis). The aim was to calculate optimal seasonal opening dates for the commercial fishery and to provide other management advice. Length-frequency data for other prawn species was also provided.

Juvenile prawn samples were collected by beam trawl at a number of sites between the Vanderlin Islands and Rose River (Numbulwar), Gulf of Carpentaria, to investigate the recolonisation of sand and seagrass habitats following Cyclone Sandy.