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.

Legacy product - no abstract available

Legacy product - no abstract available

Legacy product - no abstract available

This map was produced as part of a 2006 series depicting Australian commonwealth fisheries and shows the area of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery. The series of pdf's are for public download from AFMA's website and the shapefiles for public download from GA's website.

Map showing Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction in the Coral and Tasman Seas. One of the 27 constituent maps of the "Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series" (GeoCat 71789). Depicting Australia's extended continental shelf, approved by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in April 2008, treaties and various maritime zones. Background bathymetric image is derived from a combination of the 2009 9 arc second bathymetric and topographic grid by GA and a grid by Smith and Sandwell, 1997. Background land imagery derived from Blue Marble, NASA's Earth Observatory. A0 sized .pdf downloadable from the web.

Map showing Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction off Southwestern Western Australia. One of the 27 constituent maps of the "Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series" (GeoCat 71789). Depicting Australia's extended continental shelf approved by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in April 2008 and various maritime zones. Background bathymetric image is derived from a combination of the 2009 9 arc second bathymetric and topographic grid by GA and a grid by Smith and Sandwell, 1997. Background land imagery derived from Blue Marble, NASA's Earth Observatory. A0 sized .pdf downloadable from the web.

Map showing Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction off Northern Australia. This includes areas contiguous to the north of the continent and as far west as Christmas Island, but excludes areas around Cocos (Keeling) Islands and areas west of Christmas Island. One of the 27 constituent maps of the "Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series" (GeoCat 71789). Depicting Australia's extended continental shelf approved by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in April 2008, treaties and various maritime zones. Background bathymetry image is derived from a combination of the 2009 9 arc second bathymetry and topographic grid by Geoscience Australia and a grid by W.H.F. Smith and D.T. Sandwell, 1997. Background land imagery derived from Blue Marble, NASA's Earth Observatory. 2800mm x 1050mm (for 42" plotter) sized .pdf downloadable from the web.

This map was created by GA for the purposes of seeking clarifications with AIMS and DFAT for survey work in the Timor Sea. A base map product was modified for the purpose.

This map shows various maritime boundaries and fishing agreements in the Southern Hemisphere on a background of General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO-97). Map produced for Coastwatch, Australia Customs Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to assist them in the tracking of foreign Fishing Vessels.