This resource includes seabed backscatter data for South-west Corner Marine Park collected by Geoscience Australia during the periods 9 – 12 March 2020 and 27 January – 16 February 2021 on the charter vessel Santosha. The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project with the University of Western Australia, the University of Tasmania and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney) and funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with co-investment by all partners and the Director of National Parks. The purpose of the project was to build baseline information for benthic habitats on the continental shelf in the marine park that will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the South-west Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028). Data acquisition for the project included multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for an area covering 330 km^2 offshore from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin coast, with underwater imagery of benthic communities and demersal fish collected by University of Western Australia on separate field deployments. This backscatter dataset contains a 4 m resolution 32-bit geotiff file of the survey area produced from the processed Kongsberg EM2040C multibeam sonar system data using the CMST-GA MB Process v15.04.04.0 (.64) toolbox software co-developed by the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University and Geoscience Australia. For further information see: Giraldo-Ospina, A. et al., 2021. South-west Corner Marine Park Post Survey Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

The GMRT-AusSeabed project aims to address the cost associated with processing, merging and reformatting of bathymetric data in marine modelling and management by enabling users to more easily create bathymetric maps. The project leverages two major existing initiatives, the AusSeabed Data Hub operated by AusSeabed and the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis (GMRT) operated by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and funded by the US National Science Foundation. GMRT-AusSeabed is seeking to deliver two core services that are relevant to this particular document: 1. Definition of an attributed point cloud for bathymetric data that is common across a wide range of bathymetric sensor platforms (multibeam echosounder, LiDAR, satellite, etc) 2. Develop additional user controls, primarily relating to data selection, that leverage the attributed point cloud for the creation of bathymetric maps. Within the bounds of the GMRT-AusSeabed project, this document provides: 1. A summary of the key points discussed within the second workshop, “Backend Storage”, 2. An overview of the toolkits being explored by the project for delivery of various capabilities 3. Outcomes and actions that are being moved forward with in the project. Workshop participants included representatives from Geoscience Australia, Australian Antarctic Division, University of Western Australia, and Guardian Geomatics. See <a href="https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt">https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt</a> for more information.

This flythrough highlights shallow and mesophotic seabed environments of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, located within the Lord Howe Marine Park. These reefs are unique because they are the southern-most platform reefs in the world and host a diverse range of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate marine species. High-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and seafloor imagery used in this flythrough was acquired by the Marine Biodiversity Hub, during the period 31 January to 6 February 2020 on board the Australian Maritime College vessel, TV Bluefin. Participating agencies included Geoscience Australia, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania), the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney) through their involvement with the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Parks Australia. The specific aim of the survey was to fill knowledge gaps on the distribution, extent and structure of seabed habitats and associated sessile and mobile fauna in the lagoon and mesophotic shelves of Elizabeth (Recreational Use Zone) and Middleton (National Park Zone) Reefs, using a suite of national standard survey tools and best practice sampling procedures. Data acquisition for the project included seabed mapping using multibeam sonar (Kongsberg EM 2040C HD, 300 kHz), seabed imagery acquisition by Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV Sirius and AUV Nimbus), sediment samples, and imagery of demersal fish communities by stereo-baited remote underwater videos (stereo-BRUVs). This work was undertaken by the Marine Biodiversity Hub, a collaborative partnership supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP), and Parks Australia. AUV data was sourced from Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) – IMOS is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent. This multimedia product is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

The Peterborough to Port Fairy bathymetry survey was acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping lab onboard the M/V Yolla during the period 28 May 2018 - 19 June 2018 using a Kongsberg EM2040C multibeam sonar system. The survey was completed as part of the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program, which requires bathymetry data to understand offshore sediment dynamics within Victorian coastal waters. This dataset contains a 2m-resolution 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF file of the bathymetry in the study area, derived from the processed EM2040C bathymetry data using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Bunurong Marine National Park bathymetry survey acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping Lab during the period of 14 – 16 June and 21 – 22 September 2017 onboard the MV Yolla using a Kongsberg Maritime EM2040C multibeam sonar. The Bunurong Marine National Park bathymetry survey was led by Dr. Daniel Ierodiaconou (Deakin University). The survey was part of a Parks Victoria project to better understand the habitats and associated biodiversity of Bunurong Marine National Park. This dataset contains a 2m-resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff file of the bathymetry in the study area, derived from the processed EM2040C bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Young M, Porskamp P, Murfitt S, Wines S, Tinkler P, Bursic, J., Allan B, Howe S, Whitmarsh S, Pocklington J, Ierodiaconou D 2021. Baseline habitat mapping and enhanced monitoring trials of subtidal and intertidal reef habitats in Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. Parks Victoria Technical Series 116. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

The Banks Strait bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) onboard the M/V Offshore Solution and SMB Indigo during the period 20 January – 17 July 2021. The survey was contracted as part of the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP). The survey area encompasses Banks Strait located between the Northern Tasmanian coast and the Furneaux Group (including Cape Barren, Clarke and Flinders Islands). Bathymetry data was acquired using a Kongsberg EM2040-04 MKII and EM 2040P multibeam sonar and processed using QPS Qimera V2.0.1. The dataset was then exported to GeoTIFF using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset contains a 30m-resolution 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF file. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Submarine Cape Range Canyons bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Seamounts, Canyons and Reefs of the Coral Sea bathymetry survey was led by Dr. Rachel Przeslawski (Geoscience Australia) with a team of scientists from Geoscience Australia, Curtin University, Western Australian Museum and Scripps Institution of Oceanography aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) RV Falkor from the 8th of March to the 8th of April 2020. The primary objective of this survey was to map unexplored submarine canyons in the Gascoyne Marine Park. Submarine canyons are crucial habitats for a variety of biota and understanding their geometry, depth and species diversity is underpinned by high resolution bathymetry data. The bathymetry data collected in this survey can assist with scientific research, marine park management and understanding Australia’s marine estate. This dataset contains a 64m and a 16m, for water depths shallower than 2560m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the Cape Range and Cloates Canyons area produced from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data combined. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

The Austrea1 bathymetry survey, GA-0222 was acquired by Geoscience Australia onboard the IFREMER N/O L'Atalante from the 17th of December 1999 to the 11th of January 2000 using a Simrad EM12 Dual sonar system. The main objectives of the shipboard program are to collect seabed and sub- bottom data in specific areas off southeast Australia for marine research (geological and biological), assessment of resource potential, regional marine zone planning and management, and to support Australia's claims under UNCLOS and to map the deep water part of a marine protected area in the Great Australian Bight (GAB). This dataset contains a 100m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the Austrea1 survey, produced from the processed EM12D bathymetry data of the survey area using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia. Not to be used for navigational purposes.

This resource includes bathymetry data for Arafura Marine Park (Arafura Sea) collected by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science during the period 2 – 15 November 2020 on the RV Solander. The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with co-investment by GA and AIMS. The purpose of the project was to build baseline information for benthic habitats in Arafura Marine Park that will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the North Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028). Data acquisition for the project included multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for two areas (Money Shoal and Pillar Bank), seabed samples and underwater imagery of benthic communities and demersal fish. This bathymetry dataset contains a 6 m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the survey areas produced from the processed EM2040C Dual Head system using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Picard, K. Stowar, M., Roberts, N., Siwabessy, J., Abdul Wahab, M.A., Galaiduk, R., Miller, K., Nichol, S. 2021. Arafura Marine Park Post Survey Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Ashmore Reef Marine Park survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Ashmore Reef Marine Park bathymetry survey (GA4870/FK210409), also known as the Australian Mesophotic Coral Examination survey, was led by AIMS aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, from the 09th of April to the 26th of April 2021. The primary objective of the expedition was to map Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCE’s), monitor anthropogenic and natural stressors to MCE’s and use an ROV and AUV to capture high definition video and collect samples. The data collected from the expedition will develop baseline knowledge to inform conservation efforts and improve management of the Ashmore Reef Marine Park. This V1 dataset contains one 16m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff file of the Ashmore Reef Marine Park bathymetry, derived from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.