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.

Two bathymetric surveys of Darwin Harbour were undertaken during the period 17 October to 07 November 2010 and 24 June to 20 August 2011 by iXSurvey Australia Pty Ltd for Darwin Port Corporation and Department of Lands Planning, and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS) in collaboration with Geoscience Australia (GA), the Darwin Port Corporation (DPC) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) using iXSurvey's and GA's Kongsberg EM3002D multibeam sonar systems and DPC's vessel 'Matthew Flinders'.

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 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.

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.

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 wavegenerated 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. The dataset contains 11 bathymetry grids of Jervis Bay survey area produced from the processed EM3002 bathymetry data using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. Please see the metadata for detailed informaiton.<p><p>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

Geoscience Australia conducted a marine survey (GA-0345 andGA-0346 /TAN1411) in Commonwealth waters of the north-eastern Browse Basin (Caswell Sub-basin) between 9 October and 9 November 2014. The purpose of the survey was to collect pre-competitive marine data to support a CO2 storage assessment in the Browse Basin, with particular emphasis on the integrity of seals overlying select CO2 storage plays. Data acquisition was undertaken as part of the National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP), administered by the Department of Industry and Science. The survey was conducted in 3 Legs aboard the New Geoscience Australia (GA) conducted a marine survey (GA0345/GA0346/TAN1411) of the north-eastern Browse Basin (Caswell Sub-basin) between 9 October and 9 November 2014 to acquire seabed and shallow geological information to support an assessment of the CO2 storage potential of the basin. The survey, undertaken as part of the Department of Industry and Science's National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP), aimed to identify and characterise indicators of natural hydrocarbon or fluid seepage that may indicate compromised seal integrity in the region. The survey was conducted in three legs aboard the New Zealand research vessel RV Tangaroa, and included scientists and technical staff from GA, the NZ National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd. (NIWA) and Fugro Survey Pty Ltd. Shipboard data (survey ID GA0345) collected included multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter over 12 areas (A1, A2, A3, A4, A6b, A7, A8, B1, C1, C2b, F1, M1) totalling 455 km2 in water depths ranging from 90 - 430 m, and 611 km of sub-bottom profile lines. Seabed samples were collected from 48 stations and included 99 Smith-McIntyre grabs and 41 piston cores. An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) (survey ID GA0346) collected higher-resolution multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter data, totalling 7.7 km2, along with 71 line km of side scan sonar, underwater camera and sub-bottom profile data. Twenty two Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) missions collected 31 hours of underwater video, 657 still images, eight grabs and one core. This catalogue entry refers to bathymetry data acquired during survey GA0345/GA0346/TAN1411.