Ningaloo hydro acoustic survey 2008 (Single Beam Sonar), Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia (WAMSI Node 3 Project 3.1.1)

This data is the output from processing of the Simrad EQ60 single beam sonar data collected in Ningaloo Marine Park (in 2007 and 2008) organised by Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). CMST have developed Matlab code to read and process data obtained with the Simrad EQ60 to calculate depth. For one section (2008 North) the water column acoustic parameters: Nautical Area Scattering Coefficient (NASC) and the mean Volume Scattering Strength (Sv) were also calculated. Depth, E1 and E2 data collected 2006-2008 were also combined into one dataset. Data were interpolated into 50m grids using Kriging.This survey was undertaken to provide a) improved broad scale bathymetic data for Ningaloo and b) as a tool for the identification of areas of broad scale bathymetric and topographical interest in areas with different levels of protection within the Marine Park. Single beam data allows broad scale the characterization and classification of the seafloor in terms of geomorphological structure. This is relevant to the distribution of benthic habitats and help understand the spatial and temporal distribution of the deep water marine environment of NMP. The combination of topography and textural surfaces provide an excellent reference dataset for research and management of the NMPThis data includes and builds upon the 2006 data set "Single beam acoustic surveys in Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia (WAMSI Node 3 Project 1 Subproject 3.1.1)"