This record describes the nutrient data collected as part of the 1993-1996 South East Fishery Ecosystem Study undertaken by CSIRO Division of Fisheries. Nutrient samples, including measurements of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, nitrate, silicate and nitrite, were taken from Niskin bottle samples at a range of depths on seven transects across the continental shelf in eastern Bass Strait, south-west Victoria, and south-west NSW waters. Temperature, salinity and density 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 and the data will be analysed along with the broad-scale survey dataset. The processed data are held as part of the CSIRO Marine Research CTD data holdings.