Fish communities and benthic monitoring of Marra Sea Country in the Gulf of Carpentaria - 2023 (JCU, Mabunji, CDU)

Full description

This dataset summarises benthic and fish surveys in Marra Sea Country, including the Limmen Marine Park (Commonwealth), Limmen Bight Marine Park (Northern Territory) and adjacent coastal waters into 3 GIS shapefiles. (1) A point (site) shapefile describes (a) seagrass presence/absence, (b) seagrass species composition, (c) algae cover and (d) benthic macro-invertebrate cover at 194 sites surveyed by vessel. (2) A point (site) shapefile describes (a) fish species richness and (b) fish species abundance recorded from BRUVS footage at 96 sites surveyed by vessel. (3) A point (site) shapefile describes (a) fish family richness. and (b) aggregate MaxN across all fish species recorded from BRUVS footage as a representation of fish abundance at 96 sites surveyed by vessel. The full report is: Smith, T.M., Collier C.J., Evans S., Barrett D., Barrett, E., Forsman S., Settli E., Whitman K., Langlois L., Groom R., Carter A. (2025) Fish communities and benthic monitoring of Marra Sea Country in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Report Number 25/13, James Cook University, Cairns, 52 pp. Methods: The sampling methods used to study, describe and monitor seagrass meadows were developed by TropWATER JCU and tailored to the location and habitat surveyed; these are described in detail in the relevant publications (https://research.jcu.edu.au/tropwater). Geographic Information System (GIS): All survey data were entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) using ArcGIS 10.8. A GIS layer was created to describe spatial features of the region and point data of seagrass presence and absence in survey area. Habitat Site layer: This layer contains information on data collected at habitat assessment sites, and includes: 1. Temporal survey details – Survey date; 2. Spatial position - Latitude/longitude; 3. Survey location; 4. Seagrass information including presence/absence of seagrass, above-ground biomass (total and for each species), percent cover of seagrass at each site and whether individual species were present/absent at a site; 5. Benthic macro-invertebrate information including the percent cover of hard coral, soft coral, sponges and other benthic macro invertebrates (e.g. ascidian) at a site; 6. Algae information including percent cover of algae at a site and percent contribution of algae functional groups to algae cover at a site; 7. Open substrate – the percent cover of the site that had no flora or habitat forming benthic invertebrates present; 8. Dominant sediment type - Sediment type based on grain size visual assessment or deck descriptions. 9. Survey method and vessel; 10. Relevant comments and presence/absence of megafauna and animals of interest (dugong, turtle, dolphin); 11. Data custodians. Fish Species Sites layer: This layer contains information on data collected using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) at fish survey sites, and includes: 1. Temporal survey details – Survey date; 2. Spatial position - Latitude/longitude; 3. Survey location; 4. Fish species present; 5. Fish species richness; 6. Aggregate MaxN across all fish species; 7. Fish sampling method; 8. Visibility; 9. BRUVS habitat; 10. Survey vessel; 11. Data custodians. Fish Family Sites layer: This layer contains information on data collected using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) at fish survey sites, and includes: 1. Temporal survey details – Survey date; 2. Spatial position - Latitude/longitude; 3. Survey location; 4. Fish families present; 5. Fish sampling method; 6. Visibility; 7. BRUVS habitat; 8. Survey vessel; 9. Data custodians. Base map: The base map used is courtesy ESRI 2025. Limitations of the data: Recordings of dugong, turtle, and dolphin were opportunistic sightings and recorded if nearby a survey site. This presence/absence data was not collected as part of a formal structured survey of these animals and should therefore be used with caution. Format of the data: This dataset consists of a 3 shapefiles: 1. GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country_2023_Habitat-Sites.shp - Symbology representing seagrass presence/absence at each survey site. 2. GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country_2023_Fish-Species-Sites.shp - Symbology representing survey sites with information on fish species where baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) were deployed. 3. GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country_2023_Fish-Family-Sites.shp - Symbology representing survey sites with information on fish families where baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) were deployed. Data Dictionary: Marra Sea Country Habitat Sites 2023 (point data): - SITE (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site. - TIME (numeric) – sample time (24 hours; GMT +9:30) (NT time - subtidal sites only). - DATE (numeric) – survey date (day/month/year). - MONTH (text) – survey month. - YEAR (numeric) – survey year. - SURVEY_NAM (text) – Name of survey. - LOCATION (text) – Survey location, e.g. island, marine park zone, sea country boundary, etc. - LATITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south. - LONGITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east. - DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres). - SUBSTRATE (text) – tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant. - SEAGRASS_P (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass. - SEAGRASS_C (numeric) - Estimated % of seagrass cover at site. - CR_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Cymodocea rotundata at the site. - CS_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Cymodocea serrulata at the site. - EA_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Enhalus acoroides at the site. - HU_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halodule uninervis at the site. - HD_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila decipiens at the site. - HO_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila ovalis at the site. - HS_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila spinulosa at the site. - HT_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila tricostata at the site. - SI_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Syringodium isoetifolium at the site. - TC_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Thalassodendron ciliatum at the site. - TH_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Thalassia hemprichii at the site. - ZC_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Zostera muelleri subsp. capricorni at the site. *Note: CR_PERC + CS_PERC + EA_PERC + HU_PERC + HD_PERC + HO_PERC + HS_PERC + HT_PERC + SI_PERC + TC_PERC + TH_PERC + ZC_PERC = SEAGRASS_C - SEAGRASS_B (numeric) - Estimated total biomass per square metre for sample site calculated from the mean of three replicate quadrats. Unit is gdw m^-2. - SEAGRASS_S (numeric) – standard error of biomass at sample site calculated from the three replicate quadrats used to estimate biomass at a sample site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - EXCLUDE_B (numeric) – Include (0) or Exclude (1). Any site identified that needs to be excluded from contributing to the calculation of mean meadow biomass, e.g. where a visual estimate of biomass could not be optioned (i.e. no visibility at the site, only a van Veen sediment grab was used at the site). - CR_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea rotundata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - CS_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea serrulata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - EA_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Enhalus acoroides at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HU_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halodule uninervis at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HD_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila decipiens at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HO_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila ovalis at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HS_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila spinulosa at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HT_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila tricostata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - SI_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Syringodium isoetifolium at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - TC_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassodendron ciliatum at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - TH_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassia hemprichii at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - ZC_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Zostera muelleri subsp. capricorni at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. *Note: CR_BIO + CS_BIO + EA_BIO + HU_BIO + HD_BIO + HO_BIO + HS_BIO + HT_BIO + SI_BIO + TC_BIO + TH_BIO + ZC_BIO = SEAGRASS_B - AG_COVER (numeric) - Estimated % of algae cover at sample site (all algae types grouped). - AG_TURF_MA (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate. - AG_ERECT_M (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species. - AG_ENCRUST (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae. - AG_ERECT_C (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species. - AG_FILAMEN (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation. *Note: AG_TURF_MA + AG_ERECT_M + AG_ENCRUST + AG_ERECT_C + AG_FILAMEN = AG_COVER % cover - HARD_CORAL (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom. - HC_BRA (numeric) – Branching hard coral %. All branching scleractinian corals. - HC_DIG (numeric) – Digitate hard coral %. All digitate scleractinian corals. - HC_ENC (numeric) – Encrusting hard coral %. All encrusting scleractinian corals. - HC_FOL (numeric) – Foliose hard coral %. All foliose scleractinian corals. - HC_MAS (numeric) – Massive hard coral %. All massive scleractinian corals. - HC_SOL (numeric) – Solitary hard coral %. All solitary scleractinian corals. - HC_TAB (numeric) – Tabular hard coral %. All tabular scleractinian corals. *Note: HC_BRA + HC_DIG + HC_ENC + HC_FOL + HC_MAS + HC_SOL + HC_TAB = HARD_CORAL % cover - SOFT_CORAL (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton. - SC_GORG (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_PEN (numeric) – Sea pen % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_WHIP (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_OTHER (numeric) – Other soft corals % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. *Note: SC_GORG + SC_PEN + SC_WHIP + SC_OTHER = SOFT_CORAL % cover - SPONGE (numeric) – Sponge %. - OTHER_BMI (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS. - BMI_ASCI (numeric) – Ascidian % benthic cover. - BMI_ BRYO (numeric) – Bryozoan % benthic cover. - BMI_HYDR (numeric) – Hydroid % benthic cover. *Note: BMI_ASCI + BMI_ BRYO + BMI_HYDR = OTHER_BMI % cover - OPEN_SUBST (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site. - DUGONG (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dugong/s at site. - TURTLE (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of turtle/s at site. - DOLPHIN (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dolphin/s at site. - SURVEY_MET (text) – e.g. helicopter, walking, hovercraft, boat-based including camera, free diving, scuba diving, van Veen grab, sled net. - VESSEL (text) – Vessel name. - COMMENTS (text) – Any comments for that site. - AUTHOR (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation. - CUSTODIAN (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set. *Note: SEAGRASS_C + AG_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGE + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBSTRATE = 100% of benthic cover Marra Sea Country Limmen Fish Species Sites 2023 (point data): - OpCode (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site. - Date (numeric) – Survey date (day/month/year). - Month (text) – Survey month. - Year (numeric) – Survey year. - Survey_nam (text) – Name of survey. - Location (text) – Survey location, e.g. island, marine park zone, sea country boundary, etc. - Latitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south. - Longitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east. - Depth (numeric) – Depth recorded from vessel depth sounder (metres) for subtidal sites. - DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres). - Substrate (text) – Tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant. - Ab_stellat (numeric) - MaxN for all Abalistes stellatus observed at the site. - Al_ciliari (numeric) - MaxN for all Alectis ciliaris observed at the site. - Am_caudavi (numeric) - MaxN for all Amniataba caudavittata observed at the site. - Am_sirm (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblygaster sirm observed at the site. - Am_sp1 (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species 1 observed at the site. - Am_sp2 (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species 2 observed at the site. - Amblyeleot (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species observed at the site. - At_hedland (numeric) - MaxN for all Atropus hedlandensis observed at the site. - At_mate (numeric) - MaxN for all Atule mate observed at the site. - Bothus_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Bothus species observed at the site. - Ca_brevipi (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus brevipinna observed at the site. - Ca_buccule (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx bucculentus observed at the site. - Ca_coatesi (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus coatesi observed at the site. - Ca_limbatu (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus limbatus observed at the site. - Ca_lugubri (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx lugubris observed at the site. - Ca_melanop (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus melanopterus observed at the site. - Ca_papuens (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx papuensis observed at the site. - Ca_plumbeu (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus plumbeus observed at the site. - Ca_sorrah (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus sorrah observed at the site. - Carcharhin (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus species observed at the site. - Ch_cephalo (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon cephalotes observed at the site. - Ch_cyanodu (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon cyanodus observed at the site. - Ch_duboula (numeric) - MaxN for all Chaetodontoplus duboulayi observed at the site. - Ch_margina (numeric) - MaxN for all Chelmon marginalis observed at the site. - Ch_punctat (numeric) - MaxN for all Chiloscyllium punctatum observed at the site. - Ch_schoenl (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon schoenleinii observed at the site. - Choerodon (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon species observed at the site. - Clupeidae (numeric) - MaxN for all Clupeidae species observed at the site. - Cy_elegans (numeric) - MaxN for all Cybiosarda elegans observed at the site. - Di_pictum (numeric) - MaxN for all Diagramma pictum labiosum observed at the site. - Ec_naucrat (numeric) - MaxN for all Echeneis naucrates observed at the site. - El_hawaien (numeric) - MaxN for all Elops hawaiensis observed at the site. - Eq_leucisc (numeric) - MaxN for all Equulites leuciscus observed at the site. - Fe_multist (numeric) - MaxN for all Feroxodon multistriatus observed at the site. - Ga_cuvier (numeric) - MaxN for all Galeocerdo cuvier observed at the site. - Gl_typus (numeric) - MaxN for all Glaucostegus typus observed at the site. - Gn_specios (numeric) - MaxN for all Gnathanodon speciosus observed at the site. - Gunnellich (numeric) - MaxN for all Gunnellichthys species observed at the site. - Halichoere (numeric) - MaxN for all Halichoeres species observed at the site. - He_elongat (numeric) - MaxN for all Hemipristis elongata observed at the site. - Hi_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Himantura australis observed at the site. - Himantura (numeric) - MaxN for all Himantura species observed at the site. - La_lunaris (numeric) - MaxN for all Lagocephalus lunaris observed at the site. - La_scelera (numeric) - MaxN for all Lagocephalus sceleratus observed at the site. - Le_genivit (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus genivittatus observed at the site. - Le_laticau (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus laticaudis observed at the site. - Le_nebulos (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus nebulosus observed at the site. - Le_punctul (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus punctulatus observed at the site. - Le_variega (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus variegatus observed at the site. - Leiognathi (numeric) - MaxN for all Leiognathidae species observed at the site. - Lethrinus (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus species observed at the site. - Lu_carpono (numeric) - MaxN for all Lutjanus carponotatus observed at the site. - Lu_vitta (numeric) - MaxN for all Lutjanus vitta observed at the site. - Mobula_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Mobula species observed at the site. - Monacanthu (numeric) - MaxN for all Monacanthus species observed at the site. - Ne_acutide (numeric) - MaxN for all Negaprion acutidens observed at the site. - Ne_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon australiae observed at the site. - Ne_ferrugi (numeric) - MaxN for all Nebrius ferrugineus observed at the site. - Ne_furcosu (numeric) - MaxN for all Nemipterus furcosus observed at the site. - Ne_leyland (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon leylandi observed at the site. - Neotrygon (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon species observed at the site. - Pa_ater (numeric) - MaxN for all Pastinachus ater observed at the site. - Pa_choiroc (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus choirocephalus observed at the site. - Pa_fai (numeric) - MaxN for all Pateobatis fai observed at the site. - Pa_jenkins (numeric) - MaxN for all Pateobatis jenkinsii observed at the site. - Pa_oblongu (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus oblongus observed at the site. - Pa_ocellat (numeric) - MaxN for all Parachaetodon ocellatus observed at the site. - Pa_radiatu (numeric) - MaxN for all Pantolabus radiatus observed at the site. - Paramonaca (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus species observed at the site. - Parapercis (numeric) - MaxN for all Parapercis species observed at the site. - Parupeneus (numeric) - MaxN for all Parupeneus species observed at the site. - Pe_paradis (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus paradiseus observed at the site. - Pe_porosus (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus porosus observed at the site. - Pelates_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Pelates species observed at the site. - Pentapodus (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus species observed at the site. - Pl_batavia (numeric) - MaxN for all Platax batavianus observed at the site. - Pl_caerule (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus observed at the site. - Pl_endrach (numeric) - MaxN for all Platycephalus endrachtensis observed at the site. - Pl_maculat (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectropomus maculatus observed at the site. - Pl_multivi (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectorhinchus multivittatus observed at the site. - Pl_westral (numeric) - MaxN for all Platycephalus westraliae observed at the site. - Platax_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Platax species observed at the site. - Plectropom (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectropomus species observed at the site. - Pomacentru (numeric) - MaxN for all Pomacentrus species observed at the site. - Ps_elongat (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudomonacanthus elongatus observed at the site. - Pseudocall (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudocalliurichthys species observed at the site. - Pseudochro (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudochromis species observed at the site. - Ra_canadum (numeric) - MaxN for all Rachycentron canadum observed at the site. - Rh_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhynchobatus australiae observed at the site. - Rh_taylori (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhizoprionodon taylori observed at the site. - Rhynchobat (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhynchobatus species observed at the site. - Sc_affinis (numeric) - MaxN for all Scolopsis affinis observed at the site. - Sc_commers (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides commersonnianus observed at the site. - Sc_ghobban (numeric) - MaxN for all Scarus ghobban observed at the site. - Sc_lysan (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides lysan observed at the site. - Sc_monogra (numeric) - MaxN for all Scolopsis monogramma observed at the site. - Sc_queensl (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberomorus queenslandicus observed at the site. - Sc_tol (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides tol observed at the site. - Scomberomo (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberomorus species observed at the site. - Se_leptole (numeric) - MaxN for all Selaroides leptolepis observed at the site. - Se_nigrofa (numeric) - MaxN for all Seriolina nigrofasciata observed at the site. - Si_canalic (numeric) - MaxN for all Siganus canaliculatus observed at the site. - Si_fuscesc (numeric) - MaxN for all Siganus fuscescens observed at the site. - Sillago_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Sillago species observed at the site. - Sp_barracu (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena barracuda observed at the site. - Sp_jello (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena jello observed at the site. - Sp_mokarra (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyrna mokarran observed at the site. - Sp_obtusat (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena obtusata observed at the site. - Sp_qenie (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena qenie observed at the site. - Sphyraena (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena species observed at the site. - Sphyrna_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyrna species observed at the site. - St_tigrinu (numeric) - MaxN for all Stegostoma tigrinum observed at the site. - Synodus_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Synodus species observed at the site. - Te_puta (numeric) - MaxN for all Terapon puta observed at the site. - Terapon_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Terapon species observed at the site. - Torquigene (numeric) - MaxN for all Torquigener species observed at the site. - Tr_biacule (numeric) - MaxN for all Triacanthus biaculeatus observed at the site. - Triacanthu (numeric) - MaxN for all Triacanthus species observed at the site. - Tylosurus (numeric) - MaxN for all Tylosurus species observed at the site. - Up_tragula (numeric) - MaxN for all Upeneus tragula observed at the site. - Ur_granula (numeric) - MaxN for all Urogymnus granulatus observed at the site. - BRUV (numeric) – Baited Remote Underwater Videos Systems footage was suitable (1) or unsuitable (0) for processing. - SG_PA (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass. - SG_Cover (numeric) – Estimated % of seagrass cover at site. - Algae_turf (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate. - Aglae_macr (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species. - Algae_encr (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae. - Algae_calc (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species. - Algae_fila (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation. - Hard_coral (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom. - Soft_coral (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton. - Whips (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Gorgonians (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Sponges (numeric) – Sponge %. - Other_bmi (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS. - Open_subst (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site. *Note: SEAGRASS_C + AG_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGE + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBST = 100% of benthic cover - Profile (text) – Bottom profile: flat, low, moderate or high. Flat = no profile, low = structure 0.5m high, moderate = 0.5-1, high = > 1m. - FoV (text) – Field of view for the BRUV camera. Open = no obstructions facing horizontal along bottom, up = facing up. - Invert_Hab (numeric) – % combination of all invertebrate benthic habitats. E.g hard coral + whip + gorgonians etc. - Habitat (text) – Dominant habitat in the BRUVS footage. - Vessel (text) – Vessel name (if known). - Author (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation. - Custodian (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set. - Abund (numeric) – Aggregate MaxN across all fish species recorded from BRUV footage as a representation of fish abundance, -999 where this was not recorded. - SpRich (numeric) – Species richness recorded from BRUV footage (number of fish species), -999 where this was not recorded. Marra Sea Country Habitat Sites 2023 (point data): - SITE (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site. - TIME (numeric) – sample time (24 hours; GMT +9:30) (NT time - subtidal sites only). - DATE (numeric) – survey date (day/month/year). - MONTH (text) – survey month. - YEAR (numeric) – survey year. - SURVEY_NAM (text) – Name of survey. - LOCATION (text) – Survey location, e.g. island, marine park zone, sea country boundary, etc. - LATITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south. - LONGITUDE (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east. - DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres). - SUBSTRATE (text) – tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant. - SEAGRASS_P (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass. - SEAGRASS_C (numeric) - Estimated % of seagrass cover at site. - CR_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Cymodocea rotundata at the site. - CS_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Cymodocea serrulata at the site. - EA_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Enhalus acoroides at the site. - HU_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halodule uninervis at the site. - HD_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila decipiens at the site. - HO_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila ovalis at the site. - HS_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila spinulosa at the site. - HT_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Halophila tricostata at the site. - SI_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Syringodium isoetifolium at the site. - TC_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Thalassodendron ciliatum at the site. - TH_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Thalassia hemprichii at the site. - ZC_PERC (numeric) – Estimated % of Zostera muelleri subsp. capricorni at the site. *Note: CR_PERC + CS_PERC + EA_PERC + HU_PERC + HD_PERC + HO_PERC + HS_PERC + HT_PERC + SI_PERC + TC_PERC + TH_PERC + ZC_PERC = SEAGRASS_C - SEAGRASS_B (numeric) - Estimated total biomass per square metre for sample site calculated from the mean of three replicate quadrats. Unit is gdw m^-2. - SEAGRASS_S (numeric) – standard error of biomass at sample site calculated from the three replicate quadrats used to estimate biomass at a sample site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - EXCLUDE_B (numeric) – Include (0) or Exclude (1). Any site identified that needs to be excluded from contributing to the calculation of mean meadow biomass, e.g. where a visual estimate of biomass could not be optioned (i.e. no visibility at the site, only a van Veen sediment grab was used at the site). - CR_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea rotundata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - CS_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Cymodocea serrulata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - EA_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Enhalus acoroides at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HU_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halodule uninervis at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HD_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila decipiens at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HO_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila ovalis at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HS_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila spinulosa at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - HT_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Halophila tricostata at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - SI_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Syringodium isoetifolium at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - TC_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassodendron ciliatum at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - TH_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Thalassia hemprichii at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. - ZC_BIO (numeric) – Estimated biomass of Zostera muelleri subsp. capricorni at the site. Unit is gdw m^-2. *Note: CR_BIO + CS_BIO + EA_BIO + HU_BIO + HD_BIO + HO_BIO + HS_BIO + HT_BIO + SI_BIO + TC_BIO + TH_BIO + ZC_BIO = SEAGRASS_B - AG_COVER (numeric) - Estimated % of algae cover at sample site (all algae types grouped). - AG_TURF_MA (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate. - AG_ERECT_M (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species. - AG_ENCRUST (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae. - AG_ERECT_C (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species. - AG_FILAMEN (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation. *Note: AG_TURF_MA + AG_ERECT_M + AG_ENCRUST + AG_ERECT_C + AG_FILAMEN = AG_COVER % cover - HARD_CORAL (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom. - HC_BRA (numeric) – Branching hard coral %. All branching scleractinian corals. - HC_DIG (numeric) – Digitate hard coral %. All digitate scleractinian corals. - HC_ENC (numeric) – Encrusting hard coral %. All encrusting scleractinian corals. - HC_FOL (numeric) – Foliose hard coral %. All foliose scleractinian corals. - HC_MAS (numeric) – Massive hard coral %. All massive scleractinian corals. - HC_SOL (numeric) – Solitary hard coral %. All solitary scleractinian corals. - HC_TAB (numeric) – Tabular hard coral %. All tabular scleractinian corals. *Note: HC_BRA + HC_DIG + HC_ENC + HC_FOL + HC_MAS + HC_SOL + HC_TAB = HARD_CORAL % cover - SOFT_CORAL (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton. - SC_GORG (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_PEN (numeric) – Sea pen % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_WHIP (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - SC_OTHER (numeric) – Other soft corals % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. *Note: SC_GORG + SC_PEN + SC_WHIP + SC_OTHER = SOFT_CORAL % cover - SPONGE (numeric) – Sponge %. - OTHER_BMI (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS. - BMI_ASCI (numeric) – Ascidian % benthic cover. - BMI_ BRYO (numeric) – Bryozoan % benthic cover. - BMI_HYDR (numeric) – Hydroid % benthic cover. *Note: BMI_ASCI + BMI_ BRYO + BMI_HYDR = OTHER_BMI % cover - OPEN_SUBST (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site. - DUGONG (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dugong/s at site. - TURTLE (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of turtle/s at site. - DOLPHIN (numeric) - Absence (0) or Presence (1) of dolphin/s at site. - SURVEY_MET (text) – e.g. helicopter, walking, hovercraft, boat-based including camera, free diving, scuba diving, van Veen grab, sled net. - VESSEL (text) – Vessel name. - COMMENTS (text) – Any comments for that site. - AUTHOR (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation. - CUSTODIAN (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set. *Note: SEAGRASS_C + AG_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGE + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBSTRATE = 100% of benthic cover Marra Sea Country Limmen Fish Species Sites 2023 (point data): - OpCode (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site. - Date (numeric) – Survey date (day/month/year). - Month (text) – Survey month. - Year (numeric) – Survey year. - Survey_nam (text) – Name of survey. - Location (text) – Survey location, e.g. island, marine park zone, sea country boundary, etc. - Latitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south. - Longitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east. - Depth (numeric) – Depth recorded from vessel depth sounder (metres) for subtidal sites. - DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres). - Substrate (text) – Tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant. - Ab_stellat (numeric) - MaxN for all Abalistes stellatus observed at the site. - Al_ciliari (numeric) - MaxN for all Alectis ciliaris observed at the site. - Am_caudavi (numeric) - MaxN for all Amniataba caudavittata observed at the site. - Am_sirm (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblygaster sirm observed at the site. - Am_sp1 (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species 1 observed at the site. - Am_sp2 (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species 2 observed at the site. - Amblyeleot (numeric) - MaxN for all Amblyeleotris species observed at the site. - At_hedland (numeric) - MaxN for all Atropus hedlandensis observed at the site. - At_mate (numeric) - MaxN for all Atule mate observed at the site. - Bothus_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Bothus species observed at the site. - Ca_brevipi (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus brevipinna observed at the site. - Ca_buccule (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx bucculentus observed at the site. - Ca_coatesi (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus coatesi observed at the site. - Ca_limbatu (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus limbatus observed at the site. - Ca_lugubri (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx lugubris observed at the site. - Ca_melanop (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus melanopterus observed at the site. - Ca_papuens (numeric) - MaxN for all Caranx papuensis observed at the site. - Ca_plumbeu (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus plumbeus observed at the site. - Ca_sorrah (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus sorrah observed at the site. - Carcharhin (numeric) - MaxN for all Carcharhinus species observed at the site. - Ch_cephalo (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon cephalotes observed at the site. - Ch_cyanodu (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon cyanodus observed at the site. - Ch_duboula (numeric) - MaxN for all Chaetodontoplus duboulayi observed at the site. - Ch_margina (numeric) - MaxN for all Chelmon marginalis observed at the site. - Ch_punctat (numeric) - MaxN for all Chiloscyllium punctatum observed at the site. - Ch_schoenl (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon schoenleinii observed at the site. - Choerodon (numeric) - MaxN for all Choerodon species observed at the site. - Clupeidae (numeric) - MaxN for all Clupeidae species observed at the site. - Cy_elegans (numeric) - MaxN for all Cybiosarda elegans observed at the site. - Di_pictum (numeric) - MaxN for all Diagramma pictum labiosum observed at the site. - Ec_naucrat (numeric) - MaxN for all Echeneis naucrates observed at the site. - El_hawaien (numeric) - MaxN for all Elops hawaiensis observed at the site. - Eq_leucisc (numeric) - MaxN for all Equulites leuciscus observed at the site. - Fe_multist (numeric) - MaxN for all Feroxodon multistriatus observed at the site. - Ga_cuvier (numeric) - MaxN for all Galeocerdo cuvier observed at the site. - Gl_typus (numeric) - MaxN for all Glaucostegus typus observed at the site. - Gn_specios (numeric) - MaxN for all Gnathanodon speciosus observed at the site. - Gunnellich (numeric) - MaxN for all Gunnellichthys species observed at the site. - Halichoere (numeric) - MaxN for all Halichoeres species observed at the site. - He_elongat (numeric) - MaxN for all Hemipristis elongata observed at the site. - Hi_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Himantura australis observed at the site. - Himantura (numeric) - MaxN for all Himantura species observed at the site. - La_lunaris (numeric) - MaxN for all Lagocephalus lunaris observed at the site. - La_scelera (numeric) - MaxN for all Lagocephalus sceleratus observed at the site. - Le_genivit (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus genivittatus observed at the site. - Le_laticau (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus laticaudis observed at the site. - Le_nebulos (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus nebulosus observed at the site. - Le_punctul (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus punctulatus observed at the site. - Le_variega (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus variegatus observed at the site. - Leiognathi (numeric) - MaxN for all Leiognathidae species observed at the site. - Lethrinus (numeric) - MaxN for all Lethrinus species observed at the site. - Lu_carpono (numeric) - MaxN for all Lutjanus carponotatus observed at the site. - Lu_vitta (numeric) - MaxN for all Lutjanus vitta observed at the site. - Mobula_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Mobula species observed at the site. - Monacanthu (numeric) - MaxN for all Monacanthus species observed at the site. - Ne_acutide (numeric) - MaxN for all Negaprion acutidens observed at the site. - Ne_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon australiae observed at the site. - Ne_ferrugi (numeric) - MaxN for all Nebrius ferrugineus observed at the site. - Ne_furcosu (numeric) - MaxN for all Nemipterus furcosus observed at the site. - Ne_leyland (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon leylandi observed at the site. - Neotrygon (numeric) - MaxN for all Neotrygon species observed at the site. - Pa_ater (numeric) - MaxN for all Pastinachus ater observed at the site. - Pa_choiroc (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus choirocephalus observed at the site. - Pa_fai (numeric) - MaxN for all Pateobatis fai observed at the site. - Pa_jenkins (numeric) - MaxN for all Pateobatis jenkinsii observed at the site. - Pa_oblongu (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus oblongus observed at the site. - Pa_ocellat (numeric) - MaxN for all Parachaetodon ocellatus observed at the site. - Pa_radiatu (numeric) - MaxN for all Pantolabus radiatus observed at the site. - Paramonaca (numeric) - MaxN for all Paramonacanthus species observed at the site. - Parapercis (numeric) - MaxN for all Parapercis species observed at the site. - Parupeneus (numeric) - MaxN for all Parupeneus species observed at the site. - Pe_paradis (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus paradiseus observed at the site. - Pe_porosus (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus porosus observed at the site. - Pelates_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Pelates species observed at the site. - Pentapodus (numeric) - MaxN for all Pentapodus species observed at the site. - Pl_batavia (numeric) - MaxN for all Platax batavianus observed at the site. - Pl_caerule (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus observed at the site. - Pl_endrach (numeric) - MaxN for all Platycephalus endrachtensis observed at the site. - Pl_maculat (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectropomus maculatus observed at the site. - Pl_multivi (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectorhinchus multivittatus observed at the site. - Pl_westral (numeric) - MaxN for all Platycephalus westraliae observed at the site. - Platax_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Platax species observed at the site. - Plectropom (numeric) - MaxN for all Plectropomus species observed at the site. - Pomacentru (numeric) - MaxN for all Pomacentrus species observed at the site. - Ps_elongat (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudomonacanthus elongatus observed at the site. - Pseudocall (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudocalliurichthys species observed at the site. - Pseudochro (numeric) - MaxN for all Pseudochromis species observed at the site. - Ra_canadum (numeric) - MaxN for all Rachycentron canadum observed at the site. - Rh_austral (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhynchobatus australiae observed at the site. - Rh_taylori (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhizoprionodon taylori observed at the site. - Rhynchobat (numeric) - MaxN for all Rhynchobatus species observed at the site. - Sc_affinis (numeric) - MaxN for all Scolopsis affinis observed at the site. - Sc_commers (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides commersonnianus observed at the site. - Sc_ghobban (numeric) - MaxN for all Scarus ghobban observed at the site. - Sc_lysan (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides lysan observed at the site. - Sc_monogra (numeric) - MaxN for all Scolopsis monogramma observed at the site. - Sc_queensl (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberomorus queenslandicus observed at the site. - Sc_tol (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberoides tol observed at the site. - Scomberomo (numeric) - MaxN for all Scomberomorus species observed at the site. - Se_leptole (numeric) - MaxN for all Selaroides leptolepis observed at the site. - Se_nigrofa (numeric) - MaxN for all Seriolina nigrofasciata observed at the site. - Si_canalic (numeric) - MaxN for all Siganus canaliculatus observed at the site. - Si_fuscesc (numeric) - MaxN for all Siganus fuscescens observed at the site. - Sillago_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Sillago species observed at the site. - Sp_barracu (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena barracuda observed at the site. - Sp_jello (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena jello observed at the site. - Sp_mokarra (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyrna mokarran observed at the site. - Sp_obtusat (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena obtusata observed at the site. - Sp_qenie (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena qenie observed at the site. - Sphyraena (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyraena species observed at the site. - Sphyrna_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Sphyrna species observed at the site. - St_tigrinu (numeric) - MaxN for all Stegostoma tigrinum observed at the site. - Synodus_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Synodus species observed at the site. - Te_puta (numeric) - MaxN for all Terapon puta observed at the site. - Terapon_sp (numeric) - MaxN for all Terapon species observed at the site. - Torquigene (numeric) - MaxN for all Torquigener species observed at the site. - Tr_biacule (numeric) - MaxN for all Triacanthus biaculeatus observed at the site. - Triacanthu (numeric) - MaxN for all Triacanthus species observed at the site. - Tylosurus (numeric) - MaxN for all Tylosurus species observed at the site. - Up_tragula (numeric) - MaxN for all Upeneus tragula observed at the site. - Ur_granula (numeric) - MaxN for all Urogymnus granulatus observed at the site. - BRUV (numeric) – Baited Remote Underwater Videos Systems footage was suitable (1) or unsuitable (0) for processing. - SG_PA (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass. - SG_Cover (numeric) – Estimated % of seagrass cover at site. - Algae_turf (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate. - Algae_macr (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species. - Algae_encr (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae. - Algae_calc (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species. - Algae_fila (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation. - Hard_coral (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom. - Soft_coral (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton. - Whips (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Gorgonians (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Sponges (numeric) – Sponge %. - Other_bmi (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS. - Open_subst (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site. *Note: SEAGRASS_C + AG_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGES + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBST = 100% of benthic cover - Profile (text) – Bottom profile: flat, low, moderate or high. Flat = no profile, low = structure 0.5m high, moderate = 0.5-1, high = > 1m. - FoV (text) – Field of view for the BRUV camera. Open = no obstructions facing horizontal along bottom, up = facing up. - Invert_Hab (numeric) – % combination of all invertebrate benthic habitats. E.g hard coral + whip + gorgonians etc. - Habitat (text) – Dominant habitat in the BRUVS footage. - Vessel (text) – Vessel name (if known). - Author (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation. - Custodian (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set. - Abund (numeric) – Aggregate MaxN across all fish species recorded from BRUV footage as a representation of fish abundance, -999 where this was not recorded. - SpRich (numeric) – Species richness recorded from BRUV footage (number of fish species), -999 where this was not recorded. - Visibility (text) – Visibility of the BRUVS footage ranging from very poor to very clear. See report for examples of visibility. Marra Sea Country Limmen Fish Family Sites 2023 (point data): - OpCode (numeric) - Unique identifier representing a single sample site. - Date (numeric) – Survey date (day/month/year). - Month (text) – Survey month. - Year (numeric) – Survey year. - Survey_nam (text) – Name of survey. - Location (text) – Survey location, e.g. island, marine park zone, sea country boundary, etc. - Latitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees south. - Longitude (numeric) – Site location in decimal degrees east. - Depth (numeric) – Depth recorded from vessel depth sounder (metres) for subtidal sites. - DBMSL (numeric) – depth below mean sea level (metres). - Substrate (text) – Tags identifying the types of substrates at the sample site. Possible tags are Mud, Sand, Coarse Sand, Silt, Shell, Rock, Reef, Rubble and various combinations. Listed in order from most dominant substrate to least dominant. - Balistidae (numeric) – Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Belonidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Bothidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Callionymi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Carangidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Carcharhin (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Chaetodont (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Clupeidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Dasyatidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Echeneidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Elopidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Ephippidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Ginglymost (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Glaucosteg (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Gobiidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Haemulidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Hemigaleid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Hemiscyllii (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Labridae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Leiognathi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Lethrinida (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Lutjanidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Microdesmi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Mobulidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Monacanthi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Mullidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Nemipterid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Pinguipedi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Platycepha (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Pomacanthi (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Pomacentri (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Pseudochro (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Rachycentr (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Rhinidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Scaridae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Scombridae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Serranidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Siganidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Sillaginid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Sphyraenid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Sphyrnidae (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Stegostoma (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Synodontid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Terapontid (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Tetraodont (numeric) - Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - Triacanthi (numeric) – Combined MaxN at the site of all MaxN for each species in the family. - BRUV (numeric) – Baited Remote Underwater Videos Systems footage was suitable (1) or unsuitable (0) for processing. - SG_PA (numeric) – Absence (0) or Presence (1) of seagrass. - SG_Cover (numeric) – Estimated % of seagrass cover at site. - Algae_turf (numeric) – Turf mat algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that forms a dense mat on the substrate. - Algae_macr (numeric) – Erect macrophyte algae % contribution to algae cover. Macrophytic algae with an erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation, e.g. Sargassum, Caulerpa and Galaxaura species. - Algae_encr (numeric) – Encrusting algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae that grows in sheet-like form attached to the substrate or benthos, e.g. coralline algae. - Algae_calc (numeric) – Erect calcareous algae % contribution to algae cover. Algae with erect growth form and high level of cellular differentiation containing calcified segments, e.g. Halimeda species. - Algae_fila (numeric) – Filamentous algae % contribution to algae cover. Thin, thread-like algae with little cellular differentiation. Hard_coral (numeric) – Hard coral %. All scleractinian corals including massive, branching, tabular, digitate and mushroom. Soft_coral (numeric) – Soft coral %. All alcyonarian corals, i.e. corals lacking a hard limestone skeleton. - Whips (numeric) – Sea whip % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Gorgonians (numeric) – Gorgonian % benthic cover. Soft coral category for sites sampled by sled tow only, -999 where this was not recorded. - Sponges (numeric) – Sponge %. - Other_bmi (numeric) – Any other benthic macro-invertebrates identified, e.g. oysters, ascidians, clams. Other benthic macro-invertebrates are listed in the “comments” attribute for intertidal and shallow subtidal camera drops, and listed as percent cover in the deepwater GIS. - Open_subst (numeric) – Open substrate with no seagrass, algae, hard coral, soft coral, sponge, crinoid or other benthic macro-invertebrates at site. *Note: SEAGRASS_C + AG_COVER + HARD_CORAL + SOFT_CORAL + SPONGES + OTHER_BMI + OPEN_SUBST = 100% of benthic cover - Visibility (text) – Visibility of the BRUVS footage ranging from very poor to very clear. See report for examples of visibility. - Profile (text) – Bottom profile: flat, low, moderate or high. Flat = no profile, low = structure 0.5m high, moderate = 0.5-1, high = > 1m. - FoV (text) – Field of view for the BRUV camera. Open = no obstructions facing horizontal along bottom, up = facing up. - Invert_Hab (numeric) – % combination of all invertebrate benthic habitats. E.g hard coral + whip + gorgonians etc. - Habitat (text) – Dominant habitat in the BRUVS footage. - Vessel (text) – Vessel name (if known). - Author (text) – Creator of GIS from the data set and date of creation. - Custodian (text) – Custodian/owner of the data set References: Smith, T.M., Collier C.J., Evans S., Barrett D., Barrett, E., Forsman S., Settli E., Whitman K., Langlois L., Groom R., Carter A. (2025) Fish communities and benthic monitoring of Marra Sea Country in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Report Number 25/13, James Cook University, Cairns, 52 pp. eAtlas Processing: The following shapefile attributes were renamed to match the data dictionary and similar datasets. No modifications to the underlying data were performed. - GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country_2023_Fish-Species-Sites.shp: Choerodon_ -> Choerodon; Clupeidae_ -> Clupeidae; Himantura_ -> Himantura; Lethrinus_ -> Lethrinus; Neotrygon_ -> Neotrygon; Sphyraena_ -> Sphyraena; Tylosurus_ -> Tylosurus; Algae_encu -> Algae_encr; Other -> Other_bmi; Open -> Open_subst; - GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country_2023_Fish-Family-Sites.shp: Algae_encu - Algae_encr; Other -> Other_bmi; Open -> Open_subst; Location of the data: This dataset is filed in the eAtlas enduring data repository at: data\2020-2029-other\GoC_JCU_Marra-Sea-Country-Monitoring_2023

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes

Purpose
Marra Sea Country in the Northern Territory hosts two marine parks, the Limmen Bight Marine Park (Northern Territory) and the Limmen Marine Park (Commonwealth). Both parks and their surrounding waters are important to the Marra Aboriginal people for their cultural and ecological significance. Dugongs, dolphins and turtles use the waters as feeding grounds, as do important fish and shark species. This project is a partnership between the li-Anthawirriyarra rangers, Marra Traditional Owners, Charles Darwin University (Northern Institute) and James Cook University (TropWATER), to monitor subtidal habitats of Marra Sea Country and the Limmen marine parks in the Gulf of Carpentaria, following a baseline survey of Marra Sea Country in 2021. The project also surveyed fish communities using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). This project was jointly funded by the Australian Government through Parks Australia, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation and the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission. The survey was undertaken in October 2023 on board the MV Eclipse with the support of ranger vessels Barranyi and A-walamakamaka. The objectives of the survey were to: (1) Continue the collaboration between CDU, JCU, li-Anthawirriyarra rangers and NT Parks rangers to monitor seagrass and other benthic habitat (e.g. algae, coral, sponge gardens) and to survey fish communities; (2) Produce baseline bilingual habitat and fish maps for the region; (3) Produce a report and spatial data for use by Marra Traditional Owners, Mabunji Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Territory Government and Commonwealth Government in decision-making in local resource use.