Geoscience Australia carried out marine surveys in Jervis Bay (NSW) in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (GA303, GA305, GA309, GA312) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments (for textural and biogeochemical analysis) and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Research Vessel Kimbla. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and tide/wave measurement were concentrated in a 3x5 km survey grid (named Darling Road Grid, DRG) within the southern part of the Jervis Bay, incorporating the bay entrance. Additional sampling and stills photography plus bathymetric mapping along transits was undertaken at representative habitat types outside the DRG. Sample diversity indices calculated in PRIMER (version 6) using the species level data from JBinfauna_species (25Oct10).xls.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km. Sample/species matrix of infaunal taxa derived from Carnarvon Shelf grab samples taken on the RV Solander cruise Sol4769.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km. Sample diversity indices calculated in PRIMER (version 6) using the species level data from Carnarvon_infauna(26_Oct_2010).xls

Geoscience Australia carried out marine surveys in Jervis Bay (NSW) in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (GA303, GA305, GA309, GA312) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments (for textural and biogeochemical analysis) and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Research Vessel Kimbla. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and tide/wave measurement were concentrated in a 3x5 km survey grid (named Darling Road Grid, DRG) within the southern part of the Jervis Bay, incorporating the bay entrance. Additional sampling and stills photography plus bathymetric mapping along transits was undertaken at representative habitat types outside the DRG. Family per sample matrix generated by aggregating species level data in JBinfauna_species (25Oct10).xls using the information in JBinfauna_Taxa_info (25Oct10).xls.

This dataset contains species identifications of all taxa collected from grabs during survey SOL4934 (R.V. Solander, 27 August - 24 September, 2009). Animals were collected from the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf with a Smith-MacIntyre grab. Echinoderms, molluscs, and worms were identified by taxonomists Tim O'Hara, Richard Willan, and Belinda Glasby, respectively, and lodged at museums. All other taxa were identified to operational taxonomic units by Rachel Przeslawski and lodged at the Australian Museum on the 27 August 2011. See GA Record 2010/09 for further details on survey methods and specimen acquisition.

This dataset contains species identifications of molluscs from shell grit and sediments collected during survey SOL5463 (R.V. Southern Surveyor, 3-31 May 2012). Sediments were collected with a Smith Mac grab and processed in the GA laboratory. Sediment samples from two grabs contained many mollusc shells, some intact, and these were lodged at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Species-level identifications were undertaken by Dr Richard Willan at the MAGNT and were delivered to Geoscience Australia on the 19 September 2012. See GA Record 2012/66 for further details on survey methods and specimen acquisition. Data is presented here exactly as delivered by the taxonomist, and Geoscience Australia is unable to verify the accuracy of the taxonomic identifications. Note that all specimens were identified from dead material and shell fragments. Specimens that were alive upon collection were processed separately with infaunal samples.

This dataset contains species identifications of sponges collected during survey SOL4934 (R.V. Solander, 27 August - 24 September, 2009) and SOL5117 (R.V. Solander, 30 July - 27 August, 2010). Animals were collected from the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf with a benthic sled. Specimens were lodged at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT). Species-level identifications were undertaken by Dr Belinda Alvarez de Glasby at the MAGNT and were delivered to Geoscience Australia on the 31 July 2012 . See GA Record 2011/08 and 2010/09 for further details on survey methods and specimen acquisition. Data is presented here exactly as delivered by the taxonomist, and Geoscience Australia is unable to verify the accuracy of the taxonomic identifications.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through co-located sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave-generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km.. 0308_carnarvon_shelf contains processed multibeam backscatter data of the Carnarvorn Shelf. The SIMRAD EM3002 multibeam backscatter data were processed using the CMST-GA MB Process, a multibeam processing toolbox co-developed by Geoscience Australia and Curtin University of Technology.

This dataset contains species identifications of small benthic worms collected during survey GA2476 (R.V. Solander, 12 August - 15 September 2008). Animals were collected from the Western Australian margin with BODO sediment grab or boxcores. Specimens were lodged at Museum of Victoria in March 2010. Species-level identifications were undertaken by Robin Wilson at the Museum of Victoria and were delivered to Geoscience Australia on the 24 October 2011. See GA Record 2009/02 for further details on survey methods and specimen acquisition. Data is presented here exactly as delivered by the taxonomist, and Geoscience Australia is unable to verify the accuracy of the taxonomic identifications.

The dataset contains: ER-Mapper format grids files using 0.01 degree resolution, colour TIF format images shaded with sun angle and azimuth 45 degree, legend files to go with the images, source data density images, documentation.