1904 - 1981 Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) Historical Research Vessel Logbook Catalogue - UK Government Research Vessel cruises

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.