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 results from the First International BIOMASS Experiment (FIBEX) cruise of the Nella Dan. It is the first cruise in a series of six designed to assess the distribution and abundance of krill, Euphausia superba. The FIBEX was an international programme co-ordinating the activities of 12 ships from 11 nations in the Southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Australia was responsible for surveying an area of the southern Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees and between 60 degrees and 90 degrees east longitude. Surveys of krill and other zooplankton were taken off Antarctica in the Australian sector (Mawson to Davis region) and Prydz Bay in January and March 1981. Species identity and abundance data were obtained. The major species investigated were Euphausia superba, Euphausia frigidia, Euphausia crystallorophias and Thysanoessa marcuria. Other pteropods and cephalopods were also studied. Physical and chemical oceanography data and phytoplankton samples were also obtained, as well as results from hydroacoustic surveys of krill biomass. Several files are available for download at the provided URL. They include excel spreadsheets on summarised data, catch composition data and station lists. Furthermore a pdf document of the report produced from the cruise is also available for download. The fields in this dataset are: Date Time (GMT) Type of Trawl Species Weight Number Latitude Longitude Haul Number Towing Speed (knots) Water Depth (metres) Sea Temperature Target Levels Net Open Time Net Close Time Ice Station Number Flowmeter Reading Towed Distance (nautical miles) Catch Weight (grams) Fishing Start Time Fishing End Time Trajectory Depth Range Top Depth Range Bottom Comments These data are also available via the biodiversity database at the provided URL. 61 taxa and 1,115 observations are present in the biodiversity database collection.