The dataset comprises catch records of invertebrates and fish from epibenthic sled deployments completed on research voyage SS 03/2005. The survey design was a natural experiment (i.e. control-impact, but not before-after) to test the long-term, broadscale effects of prawn fishing on non-target species and habitats. Deployments were stratified by fishing intensity (three strata) and day/night. The survey was repeated in three regions: (a) north of Groote Eylandt, (b) north-east of the Vanderlins, and (c) north of Mornington Island. The number of deployments completed as part of the natural experiment was 124. Two additional deployments were completed for other reasons.

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.

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.

This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 05/95. This cruise took place in the Gulf of Carpentaria during 16-23 June 1995, under the leadership of John Salini. Biological data collected on this cruise include prawn and bycatch data from 39 paired prawn trawls. Penaeus semisulcatus samples for genetic and isotope analyses. Sediment samples. Water samples for primary productivity experiments. Leiognathids samples to complete sampling for a PhD study. Please note: This metadata record is a preliminary entry derived from information in the cruise plan and/or cruise report. Individual data types - which may span several cruises - will be indexed separately within this metadata system in due course.

The dataset comprises catch records of infauna from box core deployments completed on research voyage SS 03/2005. The survey design was a natural experiment (i.e. control-impact, but not before-after) to test the long-term, broadscale effects of prawn fishing on non-target species and habitats. Deployments were stratified by fishing intensity (three strata) and day/night. The survey was repeated in three regions: (a) north of Groote Eylandt, (b) north-east of the Vanderlins, and (c) north of Mornington Island. The number of deployments completed as part of the natural experiment was 123.

The dataset comprises sediment data for samples taken from box core deployments completed on research voyage SS 03/2005. The recorded sediment properties include gravel, sand, mud and carbonate content. The survey design was a natural experiment (i.e. control-impact, but not before-after) to test the long-term, broadscale effects of prawn fishing on non-target species and habitats. Deployments were stratified by fishing intensity (three strata) and day/night. The survey was repeated in three regions: (a) north of Groote Eylandt, (b) north-east of the Vanderlins, and (c) north of Mornington Island.

This data was performed as part of the Stock Recruitment Relationships project. The objectives were to collect more information on fishing effort at a smaller spatial scale (GPS systems had recently been introduced), to determine the degree of aggregation of fishing effort, and to determine how try net gear may alter fishing effort. CSIRO staff performed the data collection from commercial vessels, and measured and identified prawns - collected at night - from try shots. Prawns were sorted by species and sex, with each prawn individually measured. Ripe remales were given a gonad stage (1-5). No weight information was collected. Bycatch was identified and counted.

This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 02/95. This cruise took place in the Gulf of Carpentaria during 13 February - 19 March 1995, under the leadership of John Salini. Biological data collected on this cruise include samples from 153 paired bycatch reduction device (BRD) prawn trawls, 4 multi-level beam trawls (MBT) and 43 environmentally friendly net (EFN) trawls. Clear video images of fish behaviour in the BRD codends of the prawn net and the EFN were also obtained. 130 fish specimens were collected for the Hobart Fish Taxonomy Group's Handbook of Commercial Fishes. Scombrids and cephalopds were collected for QDPI Fisheries. Tissue samples from L. malabaricus, L. sebae and other species were obtained for population genetic studies for the Hobart genetics group. Queensland Museum and AIMS collected sponges and invertebrates and two acoustic recordings of trawler noise and background fish sounds. 3 species of Thenus were collected for University of Queensland. 11 turtles were also tagged during prawn trawling. Please note: This metadata record is a preliminary entry derived from information in the cruise plan and/or cruise report. Individual data types - which may span several cruises - will be indexed separately within this metadata system in due course.

This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 02/97. This cruise took place in the Torres Strait, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arafura Sea during 12 February - 12 March 1997, under the leadership of John Salini. Biological data collected on this cruise include vertebrate and invertebrate bycatch species in prawn trawls from nine areas of the northern prawn fishery and the Torres Strait including seven subsampling prawn trawl experiments; RoxAnn and EK500 acoustic data to help discriminate bottom environments, accompanied by dredge tows and abiotic samples; saurid specimens for phylogenetic analyses and photographic specimens of commercial fishes. 24 live sea snakes were also tested for post-trawl survival, and leiognathids (ponyfish) chemically treated for otolith marking. Please note: This metadata record is a preliminary entry derived from information in the cruise plan and/or cruise report. Individual data types - which may span several cruises - will be indexed separately within this metadata system in due course.

This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Southern Surveyor cruise SS 07/93. This cruise took place in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Northern Queensland waters during 17 October - 29 November, under the leadership of John Salini. Biological data collected on this cruise include samples from bycatch reduction device (BRD) prawn trawls and from environmentally friendly net (EFN) trawls. Clear video images of bottom structure and fish behaviour in the EFN codend were obtained. Dredge samples of bottom flora and fauna from the EFN sites and benthos from the footrope and in the trawl nets were also recorded as an indicator of bottom structure. Tissue samples from L. malabaricus and L. sebae were obtained and fish samples for the I. S. R. Munro Fish Collection in Hobart. Queensland museum staff collected 75 species of sponge from 21 fish trawls and some from dredges. Leiognathids were also obtained from 3 prawn trawls in Shelburne Bay. Please note: This metadata record is a preliminary entry derived from information in the cruise plan and/or cruise report. Individual data types - which may span several cruises - will be indexed separately within this metadata system in due course. - Biological Field Data Sheets recorded during this voyage have been scanned to PDF, and are available (to CSIRO Staff) on-line. See the details link under "Stored Media List" (below).