Biological data and observations collected from the HIPPIES cruise of the Aurora Australis, 2003-2004

This is a dataset of biological data collected via observations, trawls, and PTT tags. These data were recovered in 2022 while tidying up various voyage datasets. Original information about the data is unknown, however there are a number of details held within the data.

The data were collected on a voyage of the Aurora Australis to the Heard Island area as part of the HIMI Ecosystem Project. The HIMI Ecosystem Project was aimed at examining key predators based on Heard Island, including albatross, penguins and seals, and their interactions with prey, the ocean and benthic environment and commercial fisheries. Work included examining the diet of the animals, tracking them to determine where they feed, and examining prey available in the feeding areas. Scientists from a variety of backgrounds including bird and mammal biologists, marine biologists, oceanographers and marine geologists were involved.

The voyage was colloquially known as "HIPPIES".

The download file contains three top level folders, "Observation", "PTT" and "Trawl".

Data formats include shapefiles, csv files and text files.

Described species are:

Penguins (King and Macaroni) Albatrosses (Black browed and Sooty) Fur Seals Zooplankton Krill Fish

And more...