This report describes a programme to retrieve and properly archive
uncatalogued Research Vessel (RV) data held at CEFAS Lowestoft, formerly the
Directorate of Fisheries Research. The earliest records discovered date back
to surveys undertaken in 1904. For the period up to 1970, when reliable
computer databases began, records of 2,367 surveys by 12 sea-going research
vessels and eight estaurine/inshore vessels were located. A description of the
type of data that were held in each of the 2,475 scientists Log Books from
these surveys is included in a fully searchable Catalogue. A continuous record
of research vessel activity is available, except for the periods during World
Wars I and II. All data are now catalogued and stored in secure modern
archiving facilities, and the CEFAS Library is the custodian of this data.
