This metadata record describes cetacean line-transect distance sampling dataset collected during the 2021 TEMPO (Trends in Euphausiids off Mawson, Predators, and Oceanography) voyage onboard the RV Investigator. The primary goal of TEMPO was to collect data to estimate krill biomass with a view to update the precautionary catch limit for krill in CCAMLR’s Division 58.4.2-East. The survey was also designed to improve our understanding on the connectivity of the krill population, and overlap between krill and predators. The survey consisted of six major acoustic line-transects to estimate krill biomass and to observe swarm behaviour across ecological and density gradients within the survey area south of 62°S between 55° and 80° E, and a single fine-scale krill box acoustic survey off the Mawson coast. Comprehensive oceanographic (CTDS, XBTs ARGSO floats) and biological (plankton) sampling were also conducted to understand the habitat environment of krill and its predators. Predator observation was undertaken throughout the voyage to improve our understanding on the connectivity of the krill population, and overlap of distribution between krill and predators. The information gathered contributes to the design of tractable and sustainable long-term monitoring plan and to evaluate spatial management of the krill fishery. A team of four dedicated cetacean observers (with contributions from other experienced staff onboard) undertook formal line transect distance sampling when conditions allowed. Two observers were on effort during line transect effort; they were stationed in protective boxes on the forward Deck 05 of the RV Investigator. A data entry person was situated on the bridge; sighting, effort and weather data were logged using PAMGUARD (Pamguard Development Team 2021). The two observers scanned port and starboard, respectively, from abeam (~90° from the ship’s heading) through to around ~10° beyond the trackline on the other side. (i.e., this is single platform sighting data, sensu Burt et al. 2014). They searched using a combination of naked eye, Fujinon 7 x 50 FMTRC-SX binoculars and Fujinon 25 x 150 MT binoculars. Radial distances were estimated using the reticles of the 7 x 50 binoculars, or were estimated when detections were too close, or if the horizon was not available. Reticle information can be used to estimate radial distance to the observation using the methods outlined in Kinzey et al. (2000) and Kinzey and Gerrodette (2001). On Deck 05, average observer eye-height was ~18.4 m above the water line; the average observer eye-height on the bridge was ~20.7m. The observers maintained line transect search effort during daylight hours, with a sea state ≤ 6, and with reasonable visibility. For shorter periods of poorer visibility (or ship operations which slowed the vessel considerably or altered travel direction) they maintained ‘visual search’ effort on Deck 05, or moved to the bridge to undertake ‘bridge only’ searching during extended periods of poor weather and/or ship operations. A total of 3612 km of line transect distance sampling effort for cetaceans was achieved both within the TEMPO survey area and during the transit periods, in addition to 153 km of informal sighting effort from Deck 05, and another 1115 km of bridge only effort. This combined effort yielding 621 sightings of approximately 1609 animals. The most prevalent species observed was humpback whales, followed by fin whales. Sightings may include non-cetacean species like seabirds and pinnipeds, but as these were not the target taxa for this observation process, consistent recording of sighting for these should not be assumed. References Burt, M. L., Borchers, D. L., Jenkins, K. J., and Marques, T. A. (2014). Using mark-recapture distance sampling methods on line transect surveys. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 5(11), 1180-1191. doi:10.1111/2041-210x.12294 Kinzey D, Olson P, Gerrodette T. 2000. Marine mammal data collection procedures on research

This dataset is a document describing the Pelagic Tunicates of the Southern Ocean. It lists all the known Southern Ocean species and with illustrated diagrams provides a guide to their taxonomic identification. The document is available for download as a pdf from the provided URL.

This dataset is a document describing the Scyphomedusae of the Southern Ocean. It lists all the known species and with illustrated diagrams provides a guide to their taxonomic identification. Distribution maps are given for each species. The document is available for download as a pdf from the provided URL.

This is a parent metadata entry for data collected during the 2021 TEMPO (Trends in Euphausiids off Mawson, Predators, and Oceanography) multidisciplinary voyage onboard the RV Investigator. The primary goal of TEMPO was to collect data to estimate krill biomass with a view to update the precautionary catch limit for krill in CCAMLR’s Division 58.4.2-East. The TEMPO voyage ran from February to March 2021. The survey consisted of six major acoustic line-transects to estimate krill biomass and to observe swarm behaviour across ecological and density gradients within the survey area south of 62°S between 55° and 80° E, and a single fine-scale krill box acoustic survey off the Mawson coast. The voyage successfully estimated mean areal biomass for the region. Along with acoustic survey, net sampling was also conducted, a swarm study system, deep-sea cameras and light traps were deployed, in addition to Krill Observational Moorings for Benthic Investigation (KOMBI) being deployed on the seafloor that will record the behaviour of krill throughout a full year to understand the dynamics and use of habitat in the surface layer as well as at seafloor. Comprehensive oceanographic (CTDS, XBTs ARGSO floats) and biological (plankton) sampling were also conducted to understand the habitat environment of krill and its predators. Predator observation was undertaken throughout the voyage to improve our understanding on the connectivity of the krill population, and overlap of distribution between krill and predators. The information gathered from the contributes to the design of tractable and sustainable long-term monitoring plan and to evaluate spatial management of the krill fishery.

The Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems, or EXPRESS initiative is a multi-year, multi-agency project to survey and map undersea habitat throughout the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Scientists and engineers from NOAA, the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) conducted a 29-day expedition aboard NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker along the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts, including sites within four National Marine Sanctuaries. GFOE’s ROVs and satellite system were used for this telepresence-enabled cruise, in partnership with OER. This EXPRESS expedition represented an unprecedented level of government cooperation. Eight different NOAA offices along with USGS and BOEM contributed financial or scientific expertise. During this expedition, researchers surveyed deep-sea coral and sponge environments off the U.S. West Coast. This cruise was part of a four-year West Coast Deep Sea Coral Initiative, supported by the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, to better understand the basic biology, abundance, and diversity of deep-sea coral throughout the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem as well as their ecological role with invertebrates and fish. The researchers collected samples to help identify West Coast corals and sponges, and revisit previously surveyed sites to document changes that have occurred over time. One was to collect essential fish habitat baseline information at 12 sites along the West Coast. The Pacific Fishery Management Council proposed modifications to these habitats to better support commercially important groundfish. Another important goal of characterizing this undersea habitat was to inform possible locations offshore northern and central California for wind energy development. Characterization identified sensitive habitats to avoid when establishing future offshore wind energy sites.

A list of taxa and observations of phytoplankton collected from the SAZ Sense voyage of the Aurora Australis - voyage 3 of the 2006-2007 season. These data are available via the biodiversity database. The collection contains 26 taxa and 562 observations. More information about SAZ SENSE: The overall objective is to characterise Southern Ocean marine ecosystems, their influence on carbon dioxide exchange with the atmosphere and the deep ocean, and their sensitivity to past and future global change including climate warming, ocean stratification, and ocean acidification from anthropogenic CO2 emissions. In particular we plan to take advantage of naturally-occurring, persistent, zonal variations in Southern Ocean primary production and biomass in the Australian Sector to investigate the effects of iron addition from natural sources, and CO2 addition from anthropogenic sources, on Southern Ocean plankton communities of differing initial structure and composition. SAZ-SENSE is a study of the sensitivity of Sub-Antarctic Zone waters to global change. A 32-day oceanographic voyage onboard Australia's ice-breaker Aurora Australis was undertaken in mid-summer (Jan 17 - Feb. 20) 2007 to examine microbial ecosystem structure and biogeochemical processes in SAZ waters west and east of Tasmania, and also in the Polar Frontal Zone south of the SAZ. The voyage brought together research teams from Australasia, Europe, and North America, and was led by the ACE CRC, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, and the Australian Antarctic Division. The overall goal is to understand the controls on Sub-Antarctic Zone productivity and carbon cycling, and to assess their sensitivity to climate change. The strategy is to compare low productivity waters west of Tasmania (areas with little phytoplankton) with higher productivity waters to the east, with a focus on the role of iron as a limiting micro-nutrient. The study also seeks to examine the effect of rising CO2 levels on phytoplankton - both via regional intercomparisons and incubation experiments.

This dataset is a document describing the Pelagic Polychaetes of the Southern Ocean. It lists all the known species and with illustrated diagrams provides a guide to their taxonomic identification. The document is available for download as a pdf from the provided URL.

This dataset represents only a SMALL SAMPLING SUBSET of the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) "Continuous Plankton Recorder" (CPR) dataset, covering only the years from 1995-1999, and demonstrates the geographic coverage and the species coverage sampled by this project. The complete SAHFOS dataset contains over 170,000 samples, sampled from 1946 to the present in the North Atlantic and North Sea regions.

The objective of the research reported in this thesis was to develop a technique to monitor the dynamics of sediments and nutrients entering the coastal ocean with river plumes associated with high intensity low frequency events (e.g. floods), using ocean colour remote sensing. The data collected included Nephelometer, Secchi disk and grab sample measurements.