This document describes the necessary information required to accept one or more marine data packages or products related to a Survey to the AusSeabed Data Hub. i.e the mandatory, preferred and optional requirements for the submission of a Survey collecting multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, singlebeam bathymetry, water column sonar, sub bottom profile, side scan sonar and supplemental data as well as Imagery, Video and Samples.
Appropriate metadata is imperative for documenting the lineage of the survey, providing insights into the data collected and ensuring long term access and preservation. The minimum (and complete) metadata requirements can be found in Section 4.2.3 (Metadata Attributes)
The benefits of metadata, to both the Contributing Hub Manager and the Client/Customer using the data, are to improve the understanding of the data, and aid in decision making. Other benefits include:
Provides discoverability and search-ability
Determines if it is fit for the intended purpose
Drives correct use of data
Reduces support queries
Drives automation workflows.
This document can also be used to assist Contributing Hubs in defining their own metadata data stores and cataloguesMultibeam echo sounder (MBES) specifications are important for all users of the data. The specifications would inform metadata requirements for MBES data acquirers before, during and after a voyage, which would in turn inform processing strategies/decisions for data processors. Data processors can then produce MBES products that are accessible, consistent and have wide utility for many end users. Accessible and reliable MBES data has significant benefits for marine geoscience and oceanography studies, marine habitat mapping, minerals and energy exploration, marine infrastructure planning, and ocean safety and management.
This specification supports:
Vessel Operators and Data Owner/Acquirers to ensure that they are able to reach the minimum requirements enabling data submission to AusSeabed.
Data Contributors in submitting data to an AusSeabed Data Hub for publication as standard products.
Data Managers to ensure compliance with AusSeabed standards
Data Processors to confidently enact processing pipelines
Data Hub Providers to provide timely, consistent and effective client support
A future queryable database made possible with consistent metadata specifications, which will lead to fully customisable data products made by end users.