Ausseabed: a national program of collaboration to maximise australia’s seabed mapping efforts

High quality seabed data are fundamental to a wide range of engineering, management and science research applications stretching from shallow-water coastal environments, across the shelf and out on to the abyssal sea floor. Coastal applications require high-resolution, quality bathymetry data to support models for understanding currents and waves, sediment transport and erosion, hazard and risk assessment as well as ensuring safe navigation and informing development associated with infrastructure and commercial projects. Combined with other seabed data types, the information supports research around changing climate and marine biodiversity and provides development opportunities associated with energy and food production in support of the Blue Economy.