This global meta-analysis documents data from underwater visual surveys used to determine the effect of kelp bed disturbance and canopy density on the abundance and structure of fish communities. Spatial, temporal and ontogenetic variability of many key fish species was examined at various levels of kelp disturbance at sites spanning a global temperate distribution. Rocky reef habitats and fisheries management regimes of sites were also examined as covariates.

This dataset contains physiological measurements collected from sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) to examine regional differences in thermal performance between Tasmania’s heavily fished southern population and the more lightly fished northern population. Fish were captured from both regions and acclimated for three weeks under common laboratory conditions before measurements were taken. The dataset includes standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic scope (AS) recorded during acute thermal exposure at 12.5°C, 15°C, and 20°C using intermittent‑flow respirometry. To assess longer‑term thermal tolerance, critical thermal maximum (CTmax) was measured after a 14‑day acclimation to each test temperature. The purpose of the study was to determine whether populations with different histories of fishing pressure exhibit divergent thermal sensitivities and metabolic responses to warming. This information contributes to understanding how exploitation history may influence physiological resilience to climate change in coastal fisheries.

This Classification Catalog shows example images for all biotic labels used in developing the Antarctic Seafloor Annotated Imagery Database (AS-AID). This catalog represents a snapshot of the database at the time of publication of the associated data-paper. The labels used are based on the Australian Morphospecies Catalog, which is an extension of the CATAMI classification scheme. All underlying data are publicly available on Squidle+ (https://squidle.org). Up to 16 randomly selected images are presented for each classification, alongside a table with the following information: • Found in campaigns: a list of all campaigns in AS-AID in which this organism has been detected • Total annotations: the total number of annotations for this label • VME-taxa: whether this label is identified as a CCAMLR Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem taxa

Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica) are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical oceans, with their breeding range recently extending south. For populations at their southernmost extent, habitat use, segregation, and trophic niche remain poorly understood. In this study we investigated the habitat use, segregation, and trophic niche in two disjunct populations of wedge-tailed shearwaters in eastern Australia, located at temperate and subtropical latitudes, between 2015 and 2019. Both populations exhibited consistent spatial segregation across all years of the study. Individuals from the temperate population consistently used waters off southeastern Australia, with a pre-staging detour towards the subtropical frontal zone before their winter migration to the western Pacific Ocean, in the Philippine Sea. At the same time, subtropical conspecifics exploited waters further east and north, with a proportion undertaking a pre-staging detour only in the first year. Stable isotope analysis (δ15N and δ13C) of chick feathers further revealed trophic and habitat segregation between colonies, with the subtropical population consistently occupying a smaller trophic niche area and exhibiting lower interannual variation across all years. Both populations exhibited a high degree of interannual variability in foraging strategies and trophic niches, indicating a capacity for behavioural adaptivity in response to prey availability and oceanic conditions. This adaptability may facilitate future range shifts into temperate habitats, which is important given projected climate-driven changes to ocean dynamics in southeastern Australia.

Between 2009-2012, Geoscience Australia conducted three surveys to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and the Timor Sea on the R.V. Solander, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Science and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. The study areas overlapped the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve and the carbonate banks and terraces within it. The surveys were conducted as part of the Australian Government's Energy Security Program (2007-2011) and the National Environment Research Program (2011-2015). On the surveys, a benthic sled was deployed to collect biological samples from the seafloor. Samples were sorted onboard according to phylum, photographed and then sent to taxonomists for species-level identifications. This dataset provides a list of all identified sponge species. The associated image catalogue of collected sponges can be accessed here: https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/1216e0f4-099c-49f6-96f7-ed3eadc0cd15