This resource includes backscatter 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 backscatter dataset contains two 32-bit geotiff files of the backscatter mosaic for two survey areas produced from the processed EM2040C Dual Head system using the CMST-GA MB Process v15.04.04.0 (x64) toolbox software co-developed by the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University and Geoscience Australia. 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 (https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/node/4505).

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.

This video presents an introduction to the GMRT-AusSeabed project. The project will enable users to create their own seamless seabed maps using AusSeabed datasets. Through a cloud-based platform, users will be able to select, prioritise and merge available datasets together to then grid them at their preferred resolution (data allowing). The project will deliver a prototype platform in June 2022 that will focus on bathymetry data, but will seed future AusSeabed activities.

This Annual Progress Report provides a detailed account of the progress made against the AusSeabed program activities planned for 2020/21. A summary of highlights can be found in the Annual Highlights Report. The detailed report presented here includes six sections: 1. Achievement summary 2. Annual financial statement 3. Detailed report 4. Key program learnings 5. Appendices providing details for various elements.

The AusSeabed Marine Data Portal provides openly accessible seabed data to users. This report details the results and recommendations following a community survey on the portals functionality and usability. The report informs future development of the AusSeabed Marine Data Portal to ensure it meets end-user needs.

Established in 2018, AusSeabed is a collaborative national seabed mapping initiative focused on delivering freely accessible seabed mapping data and coordinating efforts to map the gaps across the Australian maritime region of responsibility. AusSeabed is driven by a cross-sector steering committee bringing together organisations from the government, academia and private sectors to ensure an inclusive and diverse representation of the seabed mapping community. The Annual Highlights Report presents the key achievements of the AusSeabed program over the 2020/21 financial year. The report is structured in five sections, the first four are aligned to the 2020/21 work plan objectives and the fifth highlights engagement activities over the past year.

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 first workshop, “Point Cloud Attribution”, 2. A detailed list of the attributes that are to be carried forward through the work program. 3. A list of influences external to the workshop that have contributed to the list. Workshop participants included representatives from Geoscience Australia, Deakin University, CSIRO, Guardian Geomatics and Land and Information New Zealand. See <a href="https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt">https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt</a> for more information.

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 resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Banks Strait bathymetry survey collected by University of Queensland during the period 16 – 28 March 2018 on the TV Bluefin using Bathyswath interferometric sonar system. The survey was undertaken as a project of the Australian Tidal Energy (AUSTEn; http://austen.org.au/) co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the Advancing Renewables Program, led by Prof. Irene Penesis. The purpose of the project was to map the country’s tidal energy resource in unprecedented detail and assess its economic feasibility and ability to contribute to Australia’s energy needs. It will aid the emerging tidal energy industry to develop commercial-scale tidal energy projects. This dataset contains a 4m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff file of the bathymetry in study area and transits, derived from the processed Bathyswath interferometric data, using Fledermaus. A final report of the project is provided in: Penesis, I et al. 2020. Tidal Energy in Australia: Assessing Resource and Feasibility in Australia’s Future Energy Mix (https://tethys-engineering.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/publications/tidal-energy-in-australia-2020.pdf). This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria bathymetry survey using Simrad EM300 and Reson Seabat 8101 multibeam sonar systems. Southern Gulf of Carpentaria bathymetry survey (GA0276) was led by Dr. Peter Harris (Geoscience Australia) aboard the Marine National Facility's research vessel Southern Surveyor, from the 23rd of March to the 13th of April 2005. The primary objective of the expedition was to map submerged reefs to ascertain their geomorphic nature and document the benthic communities and fauna. This dataset contains four 4m to 7m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff files of the bathymetry in five study areas and transits, derived from the processed EM300 and Reson 8101 bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Harris, P et al. 2006. Submerged coral reefs and benthic habitats of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria: Post-Survey Report - GA Survey 276, RV Southern Surveyor (https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/65073). This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.