This record is an overview entry for biological data collected on Soela cruise SO 7/80. This cruise took place in the North West Shelf, Arafura Sea, Gulf of Carpentaria and Coral Sea during 1 November - 20 December 1980, under the leadership of G. West and W. Okera. Biological data collected on this cruise include acoustic data from the Simrad 11000, Atlas and EK 120. Species composition and weight by species of each demersal and pelagic trawl. Biological data were collected on: Carangidae (16 species); Clupeiformes (9 species); Leiognathidae (12 species); Scrombroidei (4 species); sharks (13 species); Sphyraenidae (2 species); Trichiuridae (1 species) and Parastromateidae (1 species). Length frequencies on several other abundant species (see Appendix 1 of cruise summary). Observations on surface sightings of baitfish, tuna, mammals and 35 sea bird species. From the Arafura Sea, over 1000 fish specimens representing 239 different species were collected, preserved and registered for the collections of the Australian Museum. Other collections made were, otoliths from over 50 species; 48 culture samples of bacteria from bioluminescent fishes; sea snakes and invertebrate species. Data on size/sex ratio for 9 species. Gonad samples and additional tissue samples (liver and pituitary) were collected from selected species for genetic and biochemcial studies. Data on samples from the North West Shelf region for continuing biological studes. Plankton samples for phyllosoma larvae from the Coral Sea including two nansen casts and 7 XBT recordings. Prawn and fish samples from prawn net trawls carried out in the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Catch composition data from the 4 Munro stations (Dr I Munro sampled these stations during 1963-65).(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).