This record describes the collection of marine fauna sampled from coastal areas of the Vestfold Hills in 1999. The project was undertaken to compile morphometric data on Weddell seal prey species. Benthic prawns i.e. Chorismus antarcticus and Notocrangon antarcticus, are common Weddell prey species at the Vestfold Hills. We fished for prawns using mesh traps (40 x 20 x 20 cm3). The traps were set at Magnetic Island in May, and in Ellis Fjord in December. The site near Magnetic Island was chosen when the fast-ice fractured enabling the gear to be set in natural tracts of open water. The site in Ellis Fjord was chosen on the basis of published information regarding bathymetry and the range of depths inhabited by prawn species. We waited until December to sample in Ellis Fjord so that the fishing hole did not refreeze. Prawns were caught only in Ellis Fjord and only when the traps were deployed open i.e. with zips on the doors to get the catch out left undone. Approximately 50 prawns of various sizes were caught over three days at the same location, 200 m east of the crossing at Ellis Narrows. The catch has been stored whole in the Australian Antarctic Division freezer in Hobart. Bycatch included amphipods and Notothenid fish at Magnetic Island, and echinoderms, holothurians and Notothenid fish in Ellis Fjord. Some of the bycatch were retained and are stored frozen with the prawns. The linked dataset contains the measurements of length, mass, carapace length and sex (juvenile, male, female) of the prawn catch. All of the prawns were Chorismus antarcticus. The adult females were brooding eggs. The best fit linear regressions were y = 0.3529x - 2.4824, (R2 = 0.9504) for carapace length to predict body mass, and y = 3.5267x + 4.5846 (R2 = 0.9544) for carapace length to body length. The associated URLs contain all of the data, including spreadsheet of data, a scatterplot of the length mass relationship, and a mass frequency histogram of the catch. The fields in this dataset are: Chorismus ID carapace length (mm) body length (mm) mass (g) sex

This dataset is a record of sightings and strandings of cetaceans (mainly whales) at Macquarie Island. Results have been reported from 1968 to 1990 on an irregular basis. The related publication (ANARE Research Notes 91) discusses a number of species including southern right (Balaena glacialis), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), strap-toothed (Mesoplodon layardii), sperm (Physter macrocephalus), longfin pilot (Globicephala melaene) and killer (Orcinus orca) whales. Quantitative data relating to orcas (from tables 1 and 2) are provided here, along with data related to other species extracted from the text. The fields in this dataset are: (Table 1) number_of_individuals_in_pod number_of_sightings (Table 2) month number_of_sightings minimum_number_of_individuals maximum_number_of_individuals number_of_males number_of_females number_of_adults number_of_juveniles number_of_calves (From the text) observation_date location_name longitude latitude common_name scientific_name_original scientific_name abundance notes

This dataset comprises of an Access Database of compiled historical fish data from the following voyages and field surveys: Fish biological and stomach contents data - Casey 1988 Inshore Marine Fish of the Vestfold Hills Antarctica, 1983-1984 Macquarie Island Fisheries, 1994-1995 Aurora Australis Voyage 7.2 (HIMS) 1989-90 Heard Island Fish Data Aurora Australis Voyage 6 (AAMBER2) 1990-91 Pelagic Fish Data Aurora Australis Voyage 6 (FISHOG) 1991-92 Heard Island Fish Data Aurora Australis Voyage 1 (THIRST) 1993-94 Demersal Fish Data See the child records for more details about the individual voyages or field surveys.

Instantaneous growth rates (IGR) of Antarctic krill kept under experimental conditions were measured. The measured appendages included the uropods, telson (both standard length measurements with the IGR technique) and the pleopod endopodite and pleopod exopodite were investigated as an alternate length measurement. IGR measurements were recorded on 90 experimental animals. The total carbon content of 45 krill of various size ranges (collected directly from the field) was determined. The relationship between the change in length in carbon as a function of growth was investigated. The parameters measured were total length, mean uropod length, telson length, wet weight, dry weight and total carbon content. This dataset was collected as part of ASAC project 141. See metadata record ASAC_141 - Collection of live Antarctic krill 'Euphausia superba'. The fields in this dataset are: Krill Total length (mm) Telson length (mm) Mean uropod length (mm) Wet weight (g) Dry weight (g) Dry Weight (mg) Carbon content as a % of dry weight Total carbon content (g) Moult Sex

A major goal of a research expedition by the Australian Antarctic Division over the summer of (2003/04) in the Southern Ocean off Heard Island was to answer some of the questions needed to determine what level of exploitation of Southern Ocean fisheries is sustainable. The use of novel equipment, cutting edge technology and some adept logistical co-ordination allowed the Aurora Australis, on the Southern Ocean, to catch the prey of the predators of Heard Island. This work was accomplished by placing satellite trackers on animals at Heard Island, and then, using the ARGOS system, monitoring their activities in the Southern Ocean around the island. The Aurora Australis assisted in the monitoring and tracking of the animals by searching the areas the animals were foraging for prey species. The animals tracked in this experiment were: Light-mantled sooty albatrosses black-browed albatrosses king penguins macaroni penguins Antarctic fur seals The columns in this data file are: individual_id - the identifier of the individual animal species - the species name of that animal pttid - the identifier of the PTT tracker deployed on that animal deployment_longitude - the longitude at which the tracker was deployed deployment_latitude - the latitude at which the tracker was deployed observation_date - the date (ISO8601 format) of the position observation year, month, day, time, time_zone - as per the observation_date, but in separate columns locationclass - the ARGOS location class of the position (see http://www.argos-system.org/manual/3-location/34_location_classes.htm; value -3 corresponds to a "Z" class, value -2 to "B", value -1 to "A") latitude - the latitude of the position observation longitude - the longitude of the position observation

---- Public Summary from Project ---- Leopard seals are usually seen in the pack-ice where they pup on the ice and where they must first face life at sea. However at Macquarie Island, well to the north of the ice, for 50 years now there has been the odd phenomenon of 'Leopard seal years'. At seemingly semi-regular periods (~3-4 years) considerable numbers (can be greater than 100) of leopard seals arrive at the island; and then virtually none are seen for some more years. The periodicity of these arrivals has been striking. Thus it seems that young leopard seals (which is the group arriving in poor condition on Macquarie Island) suffer acute food shortages in the pack-ice zone every 3-4 years. This project will continue to record these events and tag and weigh the seals which come ashore. This will allow the long-term dataset to continue and give some more information about the seals which arrive. It is also planned to glue some satellite recorders to the seals so that their journeys after M.I. can be known. Data are collected when seals are seen on beach. Since the 1980s few seals have been seen so data are sparse but significant. Currently the dataset contains the number of leopard seals sighted at Macquarie Island each year and a record of sightings of Leopard Seals from 1948 till 2002 (some years are omitted due to unavailability of data, see quality information). Details on the sightings include date and location of sighting and condition of the seal. The fields in the dataset for the number of seals sighted each year at Macquarie Island are: Year Number of seals. The fields in the dataset detailing the sightings of Leopard Seals on Macquarie Island from 1948 till 2002 include the following: Seal ID: Each seal has been allocated a unique ID number. This acts as a means of tracking the seal if a tag is replaced or removed. Tag #1 and Tag #2: Tag numbers include plastic tags attached to the seals flippers and substitute tag numbers allocated to those seals marked with paint in 1959 and those seals resighted by length and/or a distinguishing feature or injury. Information on plastic tags: -All tags used from 1976-1981 were yellow plastic - except 50 (30/9/76) which is red plastic diamond shaped, and 90a which is metal. -Tag numbers followed by a in 1976 are coffin shaped (note: a prefix of 0 was used in original tag rather than an a following the number). -Tag numbers followed by a in 1977 are combinations of shovel and coffin shaped parts (note: a prefix of 0 was used in original tag rather than an a following the number). -Tag numbers not followed by a in 1977 are shovel-shaped. -Tags used by 1986 were the 'Jumbo Rototag' which are smaller and made of less flexible plastic than the 'Allflex' tags originally used. -See references below for further information on tags and methods of tagging used. Information on substitute or'S' tags -Tags prefixed with S are substitute tags. Seals with a tag prefixed by S were not physically tagged with a plastic or metal tag. This 'tag number' was allocated when collating data from years when plastic tagging were not used and resights of seals were determined by either coloured markings painted on the seals (as in 1959) or by a combination of length, sex, distinguishing features or injuries. -S Tag numbers were allocated in date order of the original or 'New' sighting. Hence 'tag' S1 was allocated to the first seal sighted and then resighted in 1949. -Note: There are some instances where the original recorder of the sightings did not note any distinguishing features or paint markings on the seal but later recorded that the seal had been resighted. When this occurred the 'word' of the recorder was taken and an S tag allocated. Date: Date of sighting whether initial sighting or a resighting of the same seal. Location Codes: This field notes the location code for the area on Macquarie Island where the seal was sighted. The code corresponds to a grid reference on Macquarie Island that was originally used for locating Elephant Seal sightings. A listing of these reference codes is also attached to this dataset. The fields in the location code dataset are: Location Name, Location ID, Latitude and Longitude. Within the original records a number of locations were noted using outdated or informal names. These locations were renamed with the reference code now used for that location. A listing of the informal names and the location codes they respond to has been included in the Location Codes worksheet for reference. Sex: the sex of the seal is noted in this column as either: M = Male or F = Female. Length: The nose to tail length of the seal is noted in centimetres. Condition: This field details the general condition of the Leopard Seal. The coding is as follows: G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor, T = Thin, E = Emancipated, D = Dead and K = Killed. Comments on Condition: This field is used to note any additional details regarding the condition of the animal including; whether the seal was moulting or had it's full fur, if the seal was solid or thin, the condition of the mouth, teeth and eyes; injuries including lacerations, tears, puncture / bite wounds or scars; and prominent features that could be used to recognise the seal if sighted again. Descriptions detailing the seal's health or temperament were also noted, these comments included: lively, aggressive, timid, sleepy and sluggish. Comments on movement and tagging: This field notes additional details on where the seal was sighted, it's movements and information regarding the tags used. Location of tag: UL = Upper left, UR = Upper right, LL = Lower left and LR = Lower right. W or E: What W and E relate to in regards to the seal sighting is currently unknown, however the information has been included as it may prove to be significant / useful. Sighting: This field defines the sighting as either N = New sighting or R = Resighting, ie the seal has been sighted previously and either 1) has been tagged or 2) has a predominant marking or feature that has made the seal recognisable. Note: if information was unknown the fields were left blank.

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 1242 See the link below for public details on this project. ---- Public Summary from Project ---- This project will undertake preliminary assessment of Southern Ocean squid stocks. Squids will be collected by jigging and light trapping off research vessels in the region of Macquarie Island and other selected locations where the opportunity arises. Little is known about squid biology in the Pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. This project will help to provide initial basic biological data on the squid species present. 18 squid we caught on-board the Aurora Australis in November, 2001. All were caught 200-300 kms south of Tasmania, by a hand-held squid jig, at latitude 47 South at a depth of 1m. All samples caught on the 5/11/01 have the code QA/AA/80/01. There was no code written for others caught on 3/11/01. The fields in this dataset are: Species Date Mantle length (mm) Weight (g) Sex Maturity Gonad weight (g) See also the metadata record for ASAC project 1340 (ASAC_1340), Squid in the antarctic and subantarctic, their biology and ecology.

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 2337 See the link below for public details on this project. ---- Public Summary from Project ---- The experimental krill research program is focused on obtaining life history information of use in managing the krill fishery - the largest Antarctic fishery. In particular, the program will concentrate on studies into schooling, growth and ageing of krill. From the abstracts of some of the referenced papers: Nucleic acid contents of tissue were determined from field-caught Antarctic krill to determine whether they could be used as an alternative estimator of individual growth rates which can currently only be obtained by labour intensive on-board incubations. Krill from contrasting growth regimes from early and late summer exhibited differences in RNA-based indices. There was a significant correlation between the independently measured individual growth rates and the RNA-based indices. There was a significant correlation between the independently measured individual growth rates and the RNA:DNA ratio and also the RNA concentration of krill tissue, although the strength of the relationship was only modest. DNA concentration, on average, was relatively constant, irrespective of the growth rates. The moult stage did not appear to have a significant effect on the nucleic acid contents of tissue. Overall, the amount of both nucleic acids varied considerably between individuals. Nucleic acid-based indicators may provide information concerning the recent growth and nutritional status of krill and further experimentation under controlled conditions is warranted. The are, however, reasonably costly and time-consuming measurements. Growth rates of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean were measured in 4 summers. Growth rate was measured using an 'instantaneous growth rate' technique which involved measuring the mean change in length if the uropods at moulting. In the first 4 days following collection mean growth rates ranged from 0.35 to 7.34% per moult in adults and 2.42 to 9.05% in juveniles. Mean growth rates of adult and juvenile krill differed between areas and between the different years of the investigation. When food was restricted under experimental conditions, individual krill began to shrink immediately and mean population growth rates decreased gradually, becoming negative after as little as 7 days. Populations of krill which exhibited initial growth rates began to shrink later than those which had initially been growing more slowly. Data were collected on growth rates of krill. These data were collected as part of ASAC projects 34, 1074, 2220 and 2337. ASAC_34 - Ecophysiology of Antarctic Krill 'Euphausia superba' ASAC_1074 - Seasonal growth in krill ASAC_2220 - Collection of live Antarctic krill ASAC_2337 - Experimental studies into growth and ageing of krill The fields in this dataset are: Field season (eg FS9596 = Field Season 1995-1996) Area (eg Indian Ocean) Cruise Month Date Latitude Longitude Total Number of Krill Dead Krill Moulted Krill Experiment ID Station ID Sample ID Sex Growth (IGR%) (% growth at time of moulting) Uropod Size (mm) Days after capture (when moulted) Standard length

The objectives for this project were: The project aims to quantify the patterns of dispersal and survival of newly weaned southern elephant seal pups to provide information on position at sea and foraging behaviour of the pups once they leave Macquarie Island, and to examine how this is related to position at sea and foraging behaviour in the second year. This information will be used to test the hypothesis that first year survival is a consequence of the young animals exploiting different foraging grounds to adults, and that fishing activity on the Campbell Plateau may be a contributing factor. In addition, stable isotope analysis and fatty acid signature analysis will be used to examine differences in foraging behaviour from animals while they are at sea. The raw data from this project is added to the long term database described by the metadata records 'Macquarie Island Elephant Seal Populations 1950-1965', and 'Macquarie Island Elephant Seal Populations 1985 Onwards'. This database has been taken offline, however. A snapshot of the database was taken in January, 1995, and is linked at the provided URL. For access, contact the Australian Antarctic Data Centre. A number of papers have been produced from this project. Some of these papers are included in the reference section below. The data collected for the database is as follows: Seal Number Status (new or resight) Date Location Age Class Status (cow, beachmaster, pregnant cow, dead etc) Sex Weight Length Size Back Fat Flipper Body Water Time Depth Recorder

Albatross and petrel populations have declined globally due to interactions with fishing operations. The survival of four albatross and two giant petrel species breeding on Macquarie Island is threatened and ongoing monitoring is essential to assess their conservation status and mitigate negative influences. Long-term studies are required to obtain reliable information on population size and productivity and age- and sex- related survival parameters. The birds' oceanic movements is also being investigated so that questions regarding temporal and spatial overlap with fisheries can be addressed. Demographic and population data collected for the 2012-13 breeding season on Macquarie Island for 4 species of albatross and 2 species of giant petrel are summarised in the annual report (pdf) and all data contained in tables therein or attached xlxs spreadsheets and access database. Data collected includes breeding census, breeding success, nest location, banding and resight data for the 2012-13 season. The Access database contains data from 1950-2012. 2013-2014 information are held in the 2013-2014 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets, an updated access database, and a copy of the final report. 2014-2015 information are held in the 2014-2015 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets, a copy of the report, and updated database tables. 2015-2016 information are held in the 2015-2016 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets, a copy of the report, and updated database tables. 2016-2017 information are held in the 2016-2017 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets. 2017-2018 information are held in the 2017-2018 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets and a pdf document showing the location of nesting sites (waypoints provided in the excel files). 2018-2019 information are held in the 2018-2019 folder, which includes several excel spreadsheets and a pdf document showing the location of nesting sites (waypoints provided in the excel files). This project has replaced project 2569 (which in turn replaced project 751).