NSW Environment Multi Beam Echo Sounder Gridded Data

Brief description

Gridded multi-beam echousounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data acquired using NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment MBES systems aboard RV's Bombora, Seascan and Glaucus. Fieldwork surveys were completed as part of the SeabedNSW program funded by NSW government through Coastal Reforms (>2015), HabMap Program funded through Marine Parks Authority (now under Marine Estate Management Authority) or through collaborations with partner agencies or institutions. 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 while marine park mapping focused on mapping 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 a R2Sonic 2022 (>2017) with Applanix Wavemaster POSMV (>2011) recording 3D motion in POSPac. Attitude and positional data were 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 DPIE Rigor Statement (can be 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