A new research vessel will replace the Southern Surveyor as Australia's marine national facility in 2013. CSIRO is leading the commissioning of the new vessel. An increased level of Federal Government funding means that a very high quality vessel, with excellent equipment and adequate support staff, will be at sea for about 300 days per year from 2013. The new vessel will be about 85 m long, ice strengthened, with a large open rear deck, have a range of 12,000 nautical miles, an endurance of 60 days, and be able to carry a scientific contingent of up to 50, which is a significant improvement over the current situation. It will be a very thoroughly equipped vessel (see www. marine.csiro.au/nationalfacillity/management/RCAP_PII_Report_Exposure_Draft.pdf). As far as marine geoscience requirements are concerned, the vessel will be fitted with full-ocean depth (5-8,000 m) multibeam sonars and a sub-bottom profiler so that for the first time it can map our entire marine jurisdiction. Other essential geoscience equipment includes: deep-sea winches and heavy wire for dredging, long (up to 30 m) piston-corer, deep-water grabs with camera, and 2D capable seismic system. Detailed specifications, including equipment type and capabilities, were drawn up in 2009 and formed the basis of the Statement of Requirements based on consultation with the marine geoscience community (see http://www.iodp.org.au/index.php?p=news). There is no doubt that the new vessel will be a huge step forward for Australian marine science. There will be a focus on multi-disciplinary voyages and an active program for student participation. This vessel is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop the capability required for Australia to better understand and manage our huge marine jurisdiction. This will underpin and enhance Australia's international reputation as a leading marine science nation.

This map was produced as part of a 2006 series depicting Australian commonwealth fisheries and shows the area of the Trochus Fishery within the Torres Strait Fishery. The series of pdf's are available for public download from AFMA's website and the shapefiles for public download from GA's website.

This map shows the maritime boundaries north of Australia with the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO) bathymetry as a background. It was produced by MSIBA Project of the Marine and Coastal Enivornment Group, PMD for internal use by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority for the tracking of illegal Foreign Fishing Vessels in the waters of Australia.

This abstract describes the results of integrated potential firld modelling and deep-seismic interpretation from the Enderby Land and Wilkes Land margins of East Antarctica. The interpretation is based on data acquired under the Australian Antarctic and Southern Ocean Profiling Project.

This map shows the area of the Commonwealth Scalefish Hook Sector Gulper Shark Closure - Southern Dogfish. Produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The maps shows the area of the Kangaroo Island Automatic Longline Closure within the Commonwealth Scalefish Hook Sector. Produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

This map shows the area of the Automatic Longline 183m and 700m Depth Closure within the Commonwealth Scalefish Hook Sector. It was produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

This map shows area of the West Coast Tasmania Shark Gillnet and Shark Hook Sector 130m Depth Commonwealth Closure. Produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

This map was produced for the Australian Customs Service and shows the extent of Australia's maritime jurisdiction. March 2007 Not for sale or general release.

This map was produced for Australian Customs and shows the organisation's enforcement limit in the Timor Sea region.