Bynoe Harbour Marine Survey: Seabed Habitat Mapping Data

698 km² of multibeam sonar bathymetry, water column, and backscatter data were collected during the Bynoe Harbour Marine Survey from 3 to 17 May 2016. The survey, part of the Darwin Harbour Seabed Habitat Mapping Program (2014-2018), also gathered 102 sediment grabs, 104 underwater camera drops, and 34 sound velocity profiles. This baseline data supports the creation of thematic habitat maps for marine resource management in the Northern Territory.

Use Cases

• Creating thematic seabed habitat maps based on acoustic backscatter and sediment grain size.
• Analyzing sub-bottom profiles for geological characterization of marine substrates.
• Assessing marine environmental baselines for future resource management decisions.
• Integrating bathymetry data with underwater imagery for habitat validation.

Strengths

• Data volume is quantified: includes 698 km² of multibeam sonar coverage.
• Survey methodology is detailed, specifying 102 sediment grabs and 104 camera drops.
• Collaboration involves authoritative institutions: Geoscience Australia, AIMS, and the Northern Territory Government.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low: column names, row counts, and license information are not provided.
• The dataset appears to be a report (PDF/DOCX/HTML) rather than raw structured data files.
• Platform update dates conflict: one source lists 2026-06-05, another lists 2026-04-10.

Provenance

Source

Collaboration between Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), and the Northern Territory Government Department of Land Resource Management.

Collection Method

Marine survey conducted on RV Solander (Survey GA4452/SOL6432) using multibeam sonar, sediment grabs, underwater cameras, and sub-bottom profilers.

Time Range

Survey conducted from 3 May to 17 May 2016; part of a program spanning 2014-2018.

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-06-05 according to the most recent platform entry.

Geography

Bynoe Harbour and Port Patterson, Northern Territory, Australia.