This record describes the acoustic (EK500 echosounder) data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. EK500 data were obtained on 4 cruises of FRV "Southern Surveyor" on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Data were collected in July 1993 (cruise SS 05/93), August 1994 (cruise SS 05/94), April 1996 (cruise SS 02/96) and November 1996 (cruise SS 06/96). In addition to the broad-scale, transect-based surveys described above, representatives of 4 separate habitat types (Big Gutter, Gabo Reef, Big Horsehoe and Broken Reef) were sampled more intensively. For the purpose of this study, acoustic data were used primarily to characterise habitat types by softness/hardness and roughness/smoothness. The processed data are held as part of the CSIRO Marine Research underway data holdings.