This dataset series comprises fish species composition data collected during the survey conducted jointly by the Queensland State and Commonwealth Governments during 1963-1965 to examine the prawn resources of the south-eastern corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Aubrey Harris retrieved the data from Rainer and Munro c.1984 - and it was used by Aubrey Harris and Ian Poiner for analysis for their paper (Harris, A. N. M. and Poiner, I. R. (1991)).

This dataset is the result of a series of trawl surveys carried out aboard F.V. Maxim between August 1983 and March 1985 in the NW Gulf of Carpentaria, north of Groote Eylandt. The main reference is by Somers et al (1987) - see References link below. It details the gear, methods, study area, etc. The data collected included abundance and size composition of the commercial species of penaeids together with data on hydrology at the time of sampling, across 60 stations. Reproductive stage, moult stage, and parasites were also recorded. Cruises were carried out every four weeks centred around the new moon period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nine cruises took place between 1975 and 1977 on chartered boats and the "Kalinda". Prawn larval biomass and densities were measured in several transects across the Gulf of Carpentaria, as well as total plankton biomass. These data are comprised of three distinct datasets: Total zooplankton biomass - see https://marlin.csiro.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search;jsessionid=sisv4i7204pn13kfcrqfp7deu#/metadata/8c2dac2a-41ea-48ef-b917-cd0673f19ed9; Prawn larval densities (All Penaeids identified to genus level) - see https://marlin.csiro.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search;jsessionid=sisv4i7204pn13kfcrqfp7deu#/metadata/638044de-7168-44d7-9390-4df74fef997c; and Prawn larval densities (Metapenaeus and Penaeus only, identified to species) - see https://marlin.csiro.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search;jsessionid=sisv4i7204pn13kfcrqfp7deu#/metadata/cb69f468-a637-4366-b684-28eafc68bb16.

Two mangrove sites and two seagrass sites were sampled in each region of the Gulf of Carpentaria; Weipa (between 1991 and 1994) and Groote Eylandt (between 1994 and 1995). The stable isotope ratios of seagrass, mangroves and prawns were measured, and the contribution of mangroves and seagrass to prawn food webs was estimated.

This dataset was collected by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric division as part of its monitoring of the Northern Prawn Fishery. This is a key dataset for two separate prawn research projects ('NPF Monitoring' and 'New Catch Rates'), which have the following broad objectives: To map distribution and spatial contraction of prawns. To quantify the movement of banana and tiger prawns between the inshore and offshore waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Specifically this dataset is used: 1. To calculate the recruitment index each year for the main prawn species by region (January/February surveys). 2. To calculate the spawning index each year for the main prawn species by region (July/August surveys).