Sampling cruises of bathyal benthos in New Caledonia for the years 1993-94 (BATHUS 1-4, SMIB 8, HALIPRO 1). In 1992 and 1993, several oceanographic cruises (BATHUS 1-4) were carried out with the aim of improving the inventory of the benthic fauna of the outer slopes around New Caledonia. On the basis of these results, another cruise (HALIPRO 1) was devoted to the sampling of fishes on slopes suitable for trawling, down to depths of 1100 m. In addition, the SMIB (Substances Marines d'Intérêt Biologique) research program was continued, with a new cruise - SMIB 8 - collecting deepwater invertebrates for experimentation. All of these cruises took place on board the R.V. "Alis" of the Nouméa Research Station (ORSTOM). The present paper gives an account of the fauna collected, the geomorphological characteristics of the zones explored, and an indication of particular studies on the material collected. The latter include population genetics (particularly of Brachiopoda and decapod Crustacea) and crustacean phylogeny. An appendix is provided, giving a list of stations sampled by the various cruises and their general characteristics.

BATHUS 1, BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, HALIPRO 1, SMIB 8