RV Investigator Voyage IN2015_E02 Biologial Data Collection

This record describes the biological data collected from the Marine National Facility RV Investigator Event Voyage IN2015_E02, departing Hobart on the 7th April and returning to Hobart on the 14th April, 2015. The primary voyage objective was to deploy a specific sub-set of sampling equipment related to benthic biology, and to establish processes, procedures and work flows in places such as the rear deck and sample processing laboratories. The primary equipment trialled was the MNF Deep Tow Camera, MNF Beam trawl, MNF Benthic (Sherman) Sled, and MNF Smith-McIntyre Grab, and the CSIRO-supplied Instrumented Corer Platform (ICP), DeepBRUVs lander, and fishing dropline.This metadata record describes the biological catches of benthic fauna collected using the beam trawl, sled, grab and ICP. The dropline failed to yield fish catches; however, the data also includes catches from invertebrate traps deployed on the dropline and in the deepBRUVs landers. Catches of epibenthic fauna were taken inside the Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve at 5 depth strata (100m, 200m, 500m, 1000m and 2000m) and on Patience seamount. The catches were sorted into field identifications of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), documented and where deemed appropriate, photographed and data-based before preservation for lodgment in Australian Museums. The specimen collections will be curated at the museums for future taxonomic work. Plans for upgrading these data are subject to funding.