This record describes the fish survey data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Demersal trawls (33 per survey) were carried out at a range of depths (25m to 200m) on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Extensive biological and distribution data were collected on a wide range of demersal fish including SEF quota species such as jack mackerel, tiger flathead, school whiting, redfish, spotted warehou and jackass morwong, among many others. All species, length-frequency, and other catch related data are held in the main Southern Surveyor biological database in Hobart. Other attributes recorded include weight, sex, and gonad maturation stage, for certain target species. Additional samples were taken from this material for biological analyses of stomach contents, stable isotopes, otolith analyses, etc. (see separate metadata entry). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively and the data will be analysed along with the broad-scale survey dataset.

This record describes the physical oceanographic data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. CTD stations were occupied on 4 cruises of FRV "Southern Surveyor" on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Temperature, salinity and density data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively and the data will be analysed along with the broad-scale survey dataset. The processed data are held as part of the CSIRO Marine Research CTD data holdings.

This record describes the nutrient data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Nutrient samples, including measurements of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, nitrate, silicate and nitrite, were taken from Niskin bottle samples at a range of depths on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Temperature, salinity and density data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively and the data will be analysed along with the broad-scale survey dataset. The processed data are held as part of the CSIRO Marine Research CTD data holdings.

This record describes samples of biological hard parts (otoliths, vertebrae, and spines) collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Demersal trawls (33 per survey) were carried out at a range of depths (25m to 200m) on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Otoliths, vertebrae and spines of selected species were collected for use in age determinations.

This record describes zooplankton data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Zooplankton were collected by bongo and/or drop nets at 40m and 200m stations on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Major species/species groups were identified, biomass measured, and subsamples taken for stable isotope analysis. Zooplankton communities identified will be analysed for links to water masses, water column phytoplankton pigments, and nutrient levels in the water.

This record describes the sediment size data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Sediment samples were collected using a sediment sampler aboard a benthic sled deployed on 4 cruises of FRV "Southern Surveyor" on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Samples were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively. For the purpose of this study, sediment data were used primarily to characterise habitat types by particle size as well as to complement other habitat data derived from acoustic measurements. In addition, portions of the sediment samples were used for pigment and stable isotope analysis (see separate metadata records).

This record describes stable isotope data from tissues of fish, invertebrates, phytoplankton, and zooplankton collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Demersal trawls (33 per survey), benthic sled tows (for invertebrates), zooplankton and phytoplankton samples were carried out at a range of depths (25m to 250m) on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Tissue samples were collected from a wide range of demersal fish, benthic invertebrates, phytoplankton and zooplankton, for laboratory analyses of stable isotopes. This information is being used to indicate the relative trophic levels of each organism and therefore its position in the community food web.

This record describes video and still camera data collected using sled-mounted and towed camera arrays as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Sled-mounted video and still cameras and/or Towed Camera Array (TACOS) tows were carried out at selected locations on transects across the continental shelf and in intensive survey areas in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). The data from these camera surveys were used in conjunction with benthic sled samples, acoustic data and sediment samples to assess substrate types and provide information about benthic faunal assemblages of the region.

This record describes the benthic assemblage survey data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Benthic sled tows (c.4 per survey) were carried out at selected locations on transects across the continental shelf and in intensive survey areas in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). Large collections of benthic invertebrates were identified and many photographed. As part of the analysis stage of the project, these assemblages wil be related to substrate characteristics on the one hand and fish faunal assemblages on the other.

This dataset comprises the current meter data collected from the the outer edge of Gabo Reef, approx. 30 km off the E Victoria/SE New South Wales Coast, during December 1996, as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study. There are two moorings, each with one moored ADCP instrument deployed above one current meter close to the sea floor. Parameters typically recorded in current meter data comprise east-west and north-south velocity components, water temperature, pressure, and salinity at a nominal depth for each current meter. The data have been processed and are archived as part of the holdings of the CMAR Data Centre in Hobart. The moored ADCP data from these moorings is described in MarLIN record number 6841 "South East Fishery (SEF) Ecosystem Study 1993-1996: Moored ADCP (Mooring) Data"