The data were collected at a total of 23 stations on the Franklin cruise 10/97. These samples were taken along the St Helens, Schouten Island, Tasman Island, Bruny Island, SE Cape, Pt Davey, Strahan, Marawah and King Island transects. The data were collected to determine the bio-optical charateristics of this region. The data can be used for Ocean Colour and CDOM sensor validation. Parameters measured are the concentration of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and the absorption coefficient for dissolved (CDOM) particulate (a/p) and detrital or non-algal (a/d) components of the water column. There were 2 parts to this cruise- leg 1 was from Townsville to Hobart, during which underway samples were collected for pigment analysis, with matching fluorescence values. About 35 samples from 19.38.33S,148.5.49E (25/11/97) to 39.30.92S, 143.59.16E (30/11/97)were collected on leg 1. Leg 2- on the transect around Tasmania, pigment and spectral absorbance samples were collected at depths, as well as underway samples.