This resource includes bathymetry data for Elizabeth and Middleton Reef within Lord Howe Marine Park collected by Geoscience Australia during the period 31 January to 6 February 2020 on the Australian Maritime College vessel, TV Bluefin.

The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania), NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of Sydney (Centre for Field Robotics) and Parks Australia.

The purpose of the survey was to collect baseline information for benthic habitats within the National Park Zone (Middleton Reef) and Recreational Use Zone (Elizabeth Reef) of the marine park.

These data will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the Temperate East Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028).

Data acquisition for the project included seabed mapping using multibeam sonar (Kongsberg EM 2040C HD, 300 kHz), seabed imagery acquisition by Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV Sirius), sediment samples (grab) and imagery of demersal fish communities by baited remote underwater video (BRUV).

This dataset comprises two bathymetry grids derived from multibeam sonar data gridded at 5 m spatial resolution, covering a combined area of 312 km2 including the transit.

A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Carroll, A et al. 2020. Australian Marine Park Baseline and Monitoring Survey: Post Survey Report, Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, Lord Howe Marine Park. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia