This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Soela cruise SO 7/87. This cruise took place in the North West Shelf during 16 September - 15 October 1987, under the leadership of Keith Sainsbury and Wade Whitelaw. Biological data collected on this cruise include demersal fish and invertebrate samples from 105 random stations and underwater camera photography of 75 stations trawled. Catches were identifed and weighed by species with up to 100 species being caught per half hour trawl, with the greatest diversity occurring at the shallower stations. Length frequency data was collected for 14 species of fish (see taxonomy keywords), and otoliths were collected for 4 of the major species (L. sebae, L. choerorynchus, S. undosquamis and N. furcosus). Stomach contents were also collected for the same 4 species over 3 periods of 48 hours within 3 feeding study areas. A total of 58 trap sets were made during the cruise, the total catch was 137 kg (catches range from 0~35 kg per trap hour). Underwater photography of the fish entering and leaving the traps were also obtained. Taxonomic materials and data were collected for WA Dept of Conservation and Land Management and WA Dept of Fisheries. Scallops catches of 15 and 34 kg per 1/2 hour trawl were obtained from two of the random trawl stations. Associated with the scallops were large rays (Himantura sp.). Whale observations were recorded throughout the cruise.(derived from the cruise report) - Biological Field Data Sheets recorded during this voyage have been scanned to PDF, and are available (to CSIRO Staff) on-line. See the details link under "Stored Media List" (below).
