In recent years, with increased effort to bypass and guide fragile stocks of juvenile salmon in the Columbia Basin past hydroelectric projects, it has been increasingly important to obtain fine-scale fish behavior data in a non-intrusive manner. The Dual-Head Multibeam Sonar is an emerging technology for fisheries applications that addresses that requirement. It has two principal advantages over traditional hydroacoustic techniques: 1) it allows for simultaneous large-volume coverage of a region of interest, and 2) it affords three-dimensional tracking capability. The use of Dual-Head Multibeam Sonar in this study resulted in an unprecedented insight into fine-scale smolt behavior upstream of a prototype surface collector at the Bonneville Dam first powerhouse in 1998. Our results indicated that outmigrant juvenile salmon had an increased likelihood of milling or holding. This discovery will lead to better design criteria for future bypass and collector systems. Future fisheries multibeam sonar systems will likely be fully integrated systems with built-in real-time tracking capability. These systems may be used to track targets relative to physical guidance structures or other behavior-modifying stimuli such as light, turbulent flow, electrical/magnetic fields, or low-frequency sound and vibration. The combination of fine-scale fish behavior data and environmental parameters will yield better design criteria for the safe passage of listed or endangered species of Pacific salmon.

Depuis une quinzaine d’années le développement despêcheries artisanales des pays insulaires est basé sur la pêche desgrands pélagiques à partir de l’introduction d’une innovationmajeure, à savoir l’immersion de dispositifs de concentration de poissons(DCP ancrés). Face à cet engouement récent et aux résultatstrès mitigés, voire aux échecs, souvent observés,l’article propose une démarche méthodologiqued’élaboration d’un cadre d’évaluation permettant unclassement de la diversité et complexité des transformations induites parl’introduction des DCP et une estimation de la durabilité de leurintégration. La notion de durabilité intègre ici des objectifs àla fois écologiques quant à la conservation de la ressource etsocioéconomiques en termes de maîtrise et d’acceptation d’uneinnovation devant favoriser l’évolution du système. Cette analyseest effectuée en croisant plusieurs points de vue disciplinaires –biologique, géographique, économique et sociologique – et encomparant différentes expériences relevant de contextes et decommunautés de pêcheurs variés. Le cadre d’évaluation secompose d’une série de 21 indicateurs de nature biologique, technique,économique et sociale. Une illustration est proposée à partir de troisexemples représentatifs de la diversité des situations : LaRéunion, les Comores et l’archipel du Vanuatu. Sur la base d’uneévaluation aux dires d’experts, chacun de ces critères faitl’objet d’une notation selon une échelle de 0 à 5 en fonctiondu caractère inexistant, incertain, notable ou pérenne des effetsobservés. Enfin dans un souci de d’opérationnalité etd’aide à la décision, une présentation graphique desynthèse est élaborée pour faciliter les comparaisons et identifierles points critiques.

In order to elucidate the population structure of the deep-sea shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in the NE Atlantic, 32 subsamples and 3865 individuals were analysed for allozymic variation. They were caught at various locations in the Barents Sea, in waters off Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Iceland, and in fjords along the Norwegian coast. Only three enzymes (malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and glucosephosphate isomerase) of the 22 initially tested showed a combination of gel images that could be interpreted with confidence and allozymic variation. The locus coding for malate dehydrogenase was by far the most polymorphic. Samples caught within the Barents Sea and in the Svalbard area showed no significant heterogeneity in allele frequencies, supporting earlier suggestions of only one population of P. borealis in the Barents Sea. Genetic differentiation was found, however, between Norwegian fjords and the Barents Sea, and among fjords.

This paper reports the results from three fixed-location acoustic surveys carried out in August and September 1996 to analyse the influence of diurnal behaviour rhythms and water-level fluctuations on the migratory activities of fish in the mouth of the Regelsbrunn-arm east of Vienna, Austria. A BioSonics 105 dual-beam echosounder (420 kHz), with a circular transducer (6°/15°) beaming nearly horizontal across the arm was used, with acoustic ranges of between 20 and 30 m. All surveys were conducted during day and night. The fish density was highest during the first observation period with low water level, lowest during the second sampling period with increasing water level, and intermediate during the third period with decreasing water level. The fish density was always higher during night than during day. Diurnal behaviour rhythms influenced the fish density as well as the size-frequency distribution. Increasing or decreasing water-gauge superposed the influence of diurnal behaviour rhythms on the size-frequency distribution for immigrating fish of certain length classes. Fish within the length group 10–15 cm tended to migrate upstream during decreasing water-gauge. Fish above 400 mm total length tended to move upstream during increasing water-gauge.

This paper compares the species composition of free swimming schools and schools associated with fish aggregating devices (or FADs) observed by scientists in the eastern equatorial Atlantic during the early eighties and late nineties. This comparison shows that in free swimming schools, big changes in the species composition have occurred. The main change is a rarefaction of mixed species free schools (skipjack and small yellowfin or bigeye). This change is probably a real biological one, and possibly a consequence of the large numbers of FADs seeded in the area since 1990. Nowadays, most small tuna living in the equatorial area appear to be concentrated under these drifting FADs instead of in free schools. Further study is recommended in order to evaluate the validity and interpretation of this result and to examine its implications.

The application of fisheries acoustics in shallow waters opens new fields of observation and allows new methods for abundance estimates. In this paper we deal with echocounting of migrating fish crossing the Beaucaire-Vallabrègues lock, the first obstacle encountered on the Rhône, using a SIMRAD EY500 split-beam sounder, 70 kHz frequency. Two transducers sampled a section of water and evaluated approximately 35% of the lock section, based on a calibration sphere. The number of fish crossing the lock was calculated for each fish lock. Crossing data for the fish were recorded (dates, position, exit time). The present analysis did not allow the identification of the two major species that cross the dam: shad (Alosa fallax) and mullet (Mugil cephalus). The number of fish counted was positively correlated with the catches per unit effort (CPUE) by recreating fishermen below the dam and with increasing water temperature.

This paper examines the fishing of blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Martinique (French West Indies). It is based on the compared analysis of catches from monthly experimental fishing surveys and sampling of commercial landings. The data collected in these two different ways allowed comparison of blackfin tuna length frequencies. A large part of the commercial landings were made up of young immature tuna with a fork length of less than 40 cm, whereas the experimental longline catches were mainly made up of fish with a fork length ranging between 55 and 75 cm. We give evidence that these discrepancies were mostly due to the fishing technique used. Indeed, contrarily to the experimental surveys, Martinican fishermen only fish during daytime and usually on the surface by trolling. This way, fishermen do not have access to the largest fish, which are found deeper. Our results suggested that a new fishing technique such as vertical longlining, could improve commercial catches of big blackfin tuna under FADs.

Split-beam hydroacoustic techniques have been used to enumerate adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) passage on the River Wye since 1994. Aggregations of aquatic macrophytes, principally Ranunculus fluitans, are seasonally present at the monitoring site. At high densities, these macrophytes return target strength (TS) values similar to those of adult salmon. Target direction-of-movement information readily resolves upstream-migrant salmon from static- or downstream-traveling macrophytes. However, Atlantic salmon are iteroparous, and downstream-migrant kelts must be factored into the acoustic estimates. Net upstream target movement and/or TS were not reliable indicators of salmon passage at the River Wye site when aquatic macrophyte aggregations were present. In 1995, a subset of data (n = 71) was selected from the ongoing monitoring program to determine the feasibility of resolving salmon from macrophytes using acoustic parameters other than target direction-of-movement or mean TS. Individual targets were visually identified as either salmon or macrophytes based on concurrent video records. Distributions of available acoustic parameters were statistically compared between the two target-types using a two-tailed t-test assuming equal variance (P = 0.05). Available acoustic parameters included echo position, pulse width (at –6, –12, and –18 dB power points), amplitude, beam pattern factor and target strength. Pulse width standard deviation (PWSD) measurements were determined to be the most effective individual parameters for discriminating macrophytes from salmon. Based on PWSD at the –6 dB echo power points, 77% of all macrophyte targets were removed from the mixed data set. Multiple selection criteria increased total target discrimination. Applying a combination of –6 and –12 dB PWSD, and Y–axis target slope criteria rejected 94% of all macrophytes, retaining all salmon targets.

A method for discriminating fish from debris in sonar counts of out-migrant salmonids was tested in the Trinity River, California. The method used induced fish movements to distinguish fish from drifting debris. Electricity and light served as stimuli and video and split-beam sonar were used to measure movements of fish (mainly juvenile chinook salmon) and debris (mainly tree leaves). Differences in fish and debris behavior were clearly observable with underwater video. Many fish darted or slowed and most fish dove, whereas debris drifted passively. Fish responded to the electric field inconsistently, and an apparent positive phototaxis was the most consistent response to stimuli. Lack of matched sonar and video observations of individual targets prevented direct testing of sonar’s ability to differentiate fish and debris in the Trinity River. However, analysis of sonar data from a similar situation in the Seton River, British Columbia, indicate that fish responses measured in the Trinity River by video were within the resolution of split-beam sonar. Split-beam position measurement error averaged ≤ 0.06 m within 5° of the acoustic axis, compared to a mean diving reaction of 0.11 m by salmonids observed with video. Proper transducer deployment, improved sonar analysis methods, and perfection of stimuli to elicit obvious and consistent fish responses are key to the success of this technique. With suitable development and validation, the stimulus-response method could become a useful tool for apportioning sonar counts among fish and debris.

Fixed location split-beam horizontal echosounding was used to assess the size and timing of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spawning run in the River Tornionjoki. Four transducers, two on each river bank, were mounted across the river at the study site 4 km upstream from the river mouth. Net weirs were used on both shores to direct the passage of fish through the acoustic beams. Hydroacoustic monitoring covered 40–50% of the river cross-sectional area. Also test fishing and yearly catch statistics of salmon were used as an indication of the size of the spawning run in the river. Altogether, 7700, 5300 and 4300 salmon-sized targets (target strength, TS >= –29 dB) moving upstream were detected in 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. The fish migration began in all the years by early June and peaked during the second half of the month; the migration period of large salmon lasted until mid-July. The observations made by the echosounding and catch statistics were similar in this respect. In 1998 and 1999, however, more targets of TS >= –29 dB were detected during late summer than could be expected by the river catches of salmon. It may be that the large targets in late summer were, in fact, whitefish whose run occurred during the same time. Hydroacoustic estimation of the total salmon run at the study site was found difficult. The numbers of salmon-sized targets detected were almost the same as the numbers of salmon caught each year by fishermen. Therefore, only an index of the run timing and the size of the stock can be produced from the data. It was clear that a considerable amount of fish escaped the acoustic monitoring by using areas uncovered by the beam, such as gaps in the bottom and the surface layers of the water column near the shores. Moreover, it was found that species recognition based on TS only is not adequate in multispecies environments. Assessment of spawning runs remains, however, a key issue in the management of Baltic salmon, and with further development, the hydroacoustic monitoring may be the most viable means of doing it.

The side-aspect acoustic target strengths (TS) of 19 Atlantic salmons (Salmo salar), 16 brown trouts (Salmo trutta), 10 whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and 9 pikes (Esox lucius) were measured using a 200 kHz split-beam echosounder, in order to study the relationship between TS and fish size indices (length, weight and side area). The effect of side aspect angle on TS was also studied. Linear models between TS and the logarithm of the fish size indices were fitted with length being best for predicting TS. Typically, the standard error of estimate was 1.2–2.9 dB. The side-aspect TS measurements with specimens of known size showed that the linear relationship between full side-aspect TS and the logarithm of fish length for salmonid (Salmo salar + Salmo trutta) was on average 4.7 dB (SE = 0.7), lower than for whitefish and pike combined. The effect of side aspect angle on TS was modelled with cos3 (2α function. The differences in the TS between full side aspect and head/tail aspect were 17.4, 19.0 and 19.6 dB for salmonid, whitefish, and pike, respectively.

Two independent surveys showed that aquatic insects can generate echoes comparable with the echoes of small fish. In the open water of two fishless mountain acidic waters of the Czech Republic, a very distinct population of well-defined single targets resembling fish (target strength –66 to –50 dB at 120 kHz) was discovered. These targets were found in the depth range of 5–7 m during the day (June–July 1997). At night, most targets were recorded by horizontal beaming (depth < 3 m). Towing of ichthyoplankton nets in these horizons revealed the presence of ‘water bugs’, Corixidae (Hemiptera), mostly genus Glaenocorisa. Target strengths of corixids was also verified by direct observations in an experimental tank, where it was possible to track side, dorsal and ventral aspects. In three Dutch reservoirs, Petrusplaat, Honderd-en-Dertig and De Gijster (area 100–300 ha, maximum depth 15–28 m, with fish presence) the targets of ascending dipteran pupae (Chironomidae, Procladius signatus) with target strength of –74 to –65 dB were observed by vertical beaming. The presence of pupae was verified by horizontally towed ichthyoplankton nets and by vertical plankton hauls inside the echosounder beam. The contribution of aquatic insects to the fish biomass was small but they can interfere in juvenile fish assessment.

A method is presented to estimate and diagnose the sources of uncertainty in acoustic survey measures of fish density. The method involves simultaneous Monte Carlo simulation of density and uncertainty resulting from imprecision in all terms in acoustic analyses. Known bias can also be considered. Results are presented from theoretical simulations based on assumed distributions of fish density and acoustic parameters at sample sizes from 10–1000, and on survey data for Atlantic cod and redfish. Uncertainty can be reduced by either increasing the sample rate or by decreasing the error in input variables (system and ocean parameters, backscatter, target strength, species identification, detectability). Uncertainty in inshore cod surveys in Newfoundland waters can be attributed for the most part to heterogeneous fish distribution and detectability variance (total R2 = 0.64). Uncertainty in offshore redfish surveys is attributed to heterogeneous fish distribution, and variance in target strength and species identification (total R2 = 0.82). Uncertainty can be reduced by survey design, not only by the classical methods of achieving less diverse measures of backscatter, but also by increasing precision in the input parameters to the density estimate, in particular, target strength, detectability, and species identification.

The hydroacoustic estimation of fish abundance and distribution in the Solina reservoir was related to other biological and hydrological parameters. The increase of fish abundance corresponded to increased levels of eutrophication expressed by Secchi-disc visibility and chlorophyll a concentration. A negative correlation between fish and zooplankton abundances was observed, with changes in the zooplankton population structure, caused by fish grazing. Vertical distribution of zooplankton and fish were affected by the thermocline. Maximal concentrations were observed in a well-illuminated surface layer at the highest temperature and oxygen concentration.

Acoustic surveys for determining fish abundance in shallow water present many challenges. One constraint to down-looking (or vertical) surveys is that the sampling volume is limited due to the short range and typically narrow beams of acoustic transducers. By utilizing more of the acoustic beam, into the side-lobes for example, the sampling volume may be increased. Although the echo energy contribution from the side-lobes is usually small, these echoes may influence target strength estimation and echo counting, and by extension affect abundance estimation either directly or indirectly. With the advent of wide dynamic range echosounders, it is possible to assess both small and large acoustic-size targets. In this case, it is possible to collect signals from large targets in the beam side-lobes, and therefore an algorithm to use side-lobe data is proposed. The smoothed Expectation Maximization method (EMS) is used to estimate densities and target strength of fish from only main-lobe and main-lobe with side-lobe observations in simulation, and suggestions are made for real data from surveys.

The paper describes the main drawbacks in the application of conventional acoustics in shallow waters, and reviews the advantages and limitations that existing multibeam sonar present in these ecosystems. New techniques and methods for adapting multibeam sonar to shallow waters are proposed and discussed. A method for analysing acoustic data from shallow waters through image analysis process is presented and some examples are considered. The results show that scattered fish can be observed individually and counted, and that schools are described in their morphology and behaviour. From these results an ‘ideal’ acoustic device is defined: a sonar operating at more than 400 kHz with a coverage of at least 120° in one direction and, depending on the needs of the user, 15° or 1° (which can be modified easily) in the perpendicular plane. The beam opening–angle is 0.5° in the centre beam, increasing to 1.0° at the 60° steer–angle, giving a total of 240 beams. Multibeam sonar data could be used for several purposes in shallow waters, in particular to estimate fish density and biomass, and study spatial and temporal behaviour of fish.

A hydroacoustic monitoring program for migratory herring was conducted in Drogden Channel, near Copenhagen, Denmark, beginning in June, 1996. Using installations of 100-kHz sidescan sonar oriented across the channel, herring schools were observed at ranges up to 500 m in water depths of 10–14 m. In October 1997, this effort was supplemented with a 12-kHz sidescan mounted on a motorized tripod allowing azimuthal sector scanning. This 12-kHz sidescan was able to detect herring schools up to a 1200-m range. Two examples are examined to assess the limits of herring school detectability and the feasibility of abundance estimation. In both cases, herring schools are detectable by their transience and up to 20 dB signal excess relative to the nominally stationary background reverberation, dominated by seabed backscattering. Attempts are made to extract quantitative abundance estimates using methods based on school size and density, and through quantitative echo-integration. Acoustic ray tracing was found to be useful in interpreting the results, and in particular modeling boundary-reflection focusing as a potential source of positive bias in herring abundance estimates.

The density and movements of fish under ice were studied with single-beam mobile surveys and fixed location split-beam surveys, as well as exploratory fishing in winter-seining areas of two shallow Finnish lakes during winter 1999. Fish schooled near the bottom during the day but the schools dispersed and fish ascended at night. Single and split-beam target strength distributions corresponded fairly closely with the length distribution of seine catch samples. Estimated fish densities were greater at night than in daylight. The swimming speed of smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) was 0.18 m·s–1 in daylight and 0.36 m·s–1 at night. The corresponding figures for vendace (Coregonus albula) were 0.11–0.17 and 0.05–0.08 m·s–1. Nights immediately before and after fishing were the best periods to estimate the effect of seining on fish density. The hydroacoustic fish density estimates at night corresponded closely with seine catches. We conclude that it is possible to estimate the effects of winter-seining by mobile under-ice echo-surveys and catch samples.