NSW Environment Multi Beam Echo Sounder Gridded Data

Brief description

Gridded multi-beam echousounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data acquired using NSW government's (NSW Department of Climate Change Energy Environment and Water) multi-beam echosounder (MBES) systems aboard RV's Bombora, Seascan and Glaucus. Fieldwork surveys were completed as part of the SeabedNSW program funded by NSW government under State-wide Science (2022-30), Coastal Reforms (2015-2022), HabMap Program (2005-2015) or under collaboration with partner agencies or institutions (DPI, Parks Australia, NESP). Surveys are predominantly on the open coast and within NSW state waters (<3NM) in priority areas as determined by the focus of source funding; i.e. Coastal Reforms surveys focused on providing 100% coverage for high priority Secondary Sediment Compartments; marine park mapping focused on Habitat Protection and Sanctuary zones. MBES data were obtained using semi-permanent installations of either a Geoswath 125 KHZ swath bathymetry system (2005-2017) or R2Sonic 2022 (>2017) with Applanix Wavemaster POSMV (>2011) providing positioning, height (RTK) and 3D motion solution; or Edgetech swath system w sidescan (>2021). MBES was collected in GS+ (GeoAcoustics) or Hypack with attitude and positional data acquired in POSView and post processed using POSPac either Single-Base or Precise-Point-Positioning modules for improved vessel Smoothed Best Estimate of Trajectory. Data were cube modeled in Fledermaus/Qimera software (>2010) to IHO 1B standard and cleaned-soundings exported before being gridded using bin-weighted averaging (generally 5 m grid cell size) relative to Australian Height Datum and issued in grid coordinates (UTM WGS84 Zone55 or 56; GDA2020 Zone 55 or 56). General details on vessel setup, mobilisation and processing are provided at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Research/Our-science-and-research/seabed-nsw-standard-operating-procedures-multibeam-surveying-190101.pdf with survey specific details in the Survey Report and survey Rigor Statement (provided upon request). Data packages provided via the Australian Oceanographic Data Network (https://portal.aodn.org.au/) include bathymetry and backscatter in multiple formats; while those provided on AusSeabed (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/marine) are gridded bathymetry and backscatter data as geotif only. Data are not to be used for navigation purposes.

Full description

Data Quality Statement
AODN