scholarly journals Target strength and tilt-angle distribution of the lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1099-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rokas Kubilius ◽  
Egil Ona
Keyword(s):  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Total Uncertainty ◽  
Sea Bottom ◽  
Swimming Pattern ◽  
Acoustic Target

Abstract Kubilius, R., and Ona, E. 2012. Target strength and tilt-angle distribution of lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1099–1107. North Sea stocks of lesser sandeel have recently become depleted, and improved methods for abundance estimation are sought. This paper focuses on the acoustic target strength (TS) and orientation of sandeel, measured simultaneously in several field experiments. A specially designed cubic cage, fitted with an echosounder and a video camera, was lowered onto the sea bottom, trapping wild sandeel inside. Methods for manually selecting valid echotraces from individual sandeel are described. Scattered mean TS values from several experiments are reported. These are, in spite of the observed variability, summarized in a TS–fish length (cm) relationship as TS = 20logL – 93.1 (dB) at 200 kHz. We believe that the accuracy of the relationship may still be debated; incorporating larger uncertainty in the overall mean TS will increase the total uncertainty of the stock biomass estimate from sandeel acoustic surveys. This uncertainty is now, using standard narrow-beam echosounders, dominated by the fish patchiness relative to the survey coverage. Results from pilot investigations of the sandeel swimming orientation using video cameras are also presented, showing that sandeel usually has an anguilliform swimming pattern with substantial positive (head-up) tilt. The spread of the tilt-angle distribution is also larger than for more neutrally buoyant fishes.

scholarly journals Additional evidence for fisheries acoustics: small cameras and angling gear provide tilt angle distributions and other relevant data for mackerel surveys

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 2009-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Fernandes ◽  
Phillip Copland ◽  
Rafael Garcia ◽  
Tudor Nicosevici ◽  
Ben Scoulding
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Marine Ecology ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Fisheries Acoustics

Abstract Fisheries acoustics surveys are effective tools in marine resource assessment and marine ecology. Significant advances have occurred in recent years with the application of multiple and broadband frequencies to enable remote species identification. There is, however, still the need to obtain additional evidence for identification, and the estimation of the size and tilt angle distribution of fish, which influences their acoustic target strength. The former two requirements are usually met by obtaining simultaneous net samples: there are limited, if any, recognized successful techniques for the latter. Here, two alternative tools for obtaining evidence for all three requirements are examined: angling gear and small video cameras. These tools were deployed during surveys of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus). In 2014, angling was actually more efficient than pelagic trawling (the standard technique) and over two survey periods (2012 and 2014) provided length frequency distributions that were not significantly different. A small video camera was deployed into mackerel schools, providing species identification and fish orientation. Image analysis was then applied, producing tilt-angle distributions of free swimming wild mackerel for the first time. Mean tilt angles from three deployments were very variable with 95% of observations falling between −70° and 39° with evidence of a multinomial frequency distribution. A video equipped lander was also deployed onto the type of rocky seabed where deployment of a trawl would be impossible: this confirmed the presence of Norway pout and suggested it was the dominant scatterer on this type of seabed. These techniques are complementary to traditional trawling methods, but provide additional insights into fish behaviour whilst satisfying standard requirements of identification and supplying biological samples. Crucially, the small cameras deployed approximate the size of the animals under observation and allow for measurement of behaviour (specifically tilt) that are more likely to represent those conditions encountered during surveying.

Estimation of Fish Length from Acoustic Target Strengths

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1782-1785 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Buerkle
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Orientation Distribution ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Fish Sample ◽  
Length Frequency ◽  
Frequency Structure ◽  
Acoustic Target

I show that fish length distributions calculated from acoustic target strengths of cod (Gadus morhua) are in error when target strength–length relationships are used that do not account for the orientation distribution of the fish. The magnitude and statistical significance of the errors vary with the length frequency structure of the fish sample and are thought to be large enough to question the value of acoustically determined lengths in fish surveys if corrections for fish orientation are not applied.

scholarly journals Measurement and visual verification of fish target strength using an acoustic-optical system attached to a trawlnet

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 1238-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim E. Ryan ◽  
Rudy J. Kloser ◽  
Gavin J. Macaulay
Keyword(s):  
Optical System ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Orange Roughy ◽  
Video Images ◽  
Acoustic Target ◽  
Frequency Split

Abstract Ryan, T. E., Kloser, R. J., and Macaulay, G. J. 2009. Measurement and visual verification of fish target strength using an acoustic-optical system attached to a trawlnet. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1238–1244. It is difficult to make acoustic target-strength (TS) measurements of fish behaving naturally in deep-water habitats. The fish may avoid the acoustic instrumentation, and, if measured, there is uncertainty about their species and their orientation relative to the incident sound. To address these issues, a novel acoustic-optical system (AOS) has been developed, which combines a battery-powered, dual-frequency, split-beam acoustic system with a low-light video camera. The AOS attaches to the headline of a commercial deep-water demersal trawlnet that herds fish past the AOS and to the codend. This paper describes initial trials of the AOS to measure calibrated TS of New Zealand orange roughy, validated with video images. The fish species were visually identified, and their behaviour and orientation were approximated. The trawl catch provided associated samples for species identification and measurements of their length and other biological metrics. The combination of acoustics and optics in a net-mountable system constitutes a powerful sampling tool with broader applications in fishery research and ecosystem investigations.

On Representing the Length Dependence of Acoustic Target Strengths of Fish

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1490-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Foote
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Length Dependence ◽  
Dorsal Aspect ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
Acoustic Target ◽  
Representation Method ◽  
Strength Functions ◽  
Linear Regressions

The problem of representing the length dependence of acoustic target strengths of fish is addressed by studying the legitimacy of merging target strengths that are inhomogeneous in species or frequency. The target strengths are of two kinds: maximum and averaged dorsal aspect target strengths, which are derived from measurements of gadoid target strength functions of three species at two ultrasonic frequencies. The target strengths are expressed variously according to unnormalized, wavelength-normalized and length-normalized schemes. Overall coincidences and coincidences of slopes among simple linear regressions of target strength on fish length, when segregated by target strength type and manner of representation, are investigated through analysis of covariance. Examination of computed significance levels demonstrates that merging of target strengths in species or frequency is generally unjustified and that no one representation method is superior to another in facilitating the merging of such data. The unnormalized representation is to be preferred when merging is justified because of its simplicity and avoidance of the frequency bias inherent in the normalized representations. The hypothesis of scaling of target strengths is refuted. Key words: target strength, regression, covariance analysis, fish abundance estimation

scholarly journals Estimation of the Coefficients of the Equation of Acoustic Target Strength Based on the Morphology of Coregonus migratorius (Georgi, 1775) Swim Bladder

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-98
Author(s):  
P. N. Anoshko ◽  
M. M. Makarov ◽  
S. B. Popov ◽  
A. I. Degtev ◽  
N. N. Denikina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Scattering ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Prolate Spheroid ◽  
The Body ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Swim Bladder ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Scattering Model ◽  
Acoustic Target

Aim. The aim of the study was to estimate the coefficients of the equation TSmax=f(SL) considering the characteristics of an acoustic scattering model based on the morphological characteristics of the swim bladder of the Coregonus migratorius (Georgi, 1775). Material and Methods. Ninety‐nine living specimens of C. migratorius served as the study material. For each specimen, the target strength in the cage was measured using an Kongsberg Simrad EY500 echo sounder and the morphology of the swim bladder was studied. Measurements, analysis of images and data were conducted using Image Pro 6.0. Excel and SciLab software resources. Results. We determined the main morphological characteristics of the swim bladder in C. migratorius as well as the correspondence of its dimensions and proportions in relation to the length of the fish’s body. The coefficients of the equation TS=20log(SL)‐60, calculated on the results of the acoustic scattering model of a prolate spheroid, agree well with the coefficients calculated from maximum values obtained in the cage experiment. During the conversion of the coefficients relating to the allometric changes in the length of the swim bladder relative to fish length, the equation TS=23.2log(SL)‐64.4 was obtained. A comparative analysis of the available equations of the target strength for C. migratorius with those obtained in the study was undertaken. Conclusion. The equation obtained on the model of the swim bladder as a prolate spheroid adequately describes the dependence of the maximum values of the target strength on the body length of the C. migratorius and confirms the previously obtained dependence by maximum values of TS in the cage experimental conditions and can serve as a basis for further theoretical studies.

scholarly journals Progress in determining southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) target strength: results of swimbladder modelling

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 952-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Dunford ◽  
Gavin J. Macaulay
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Blue Whiting ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Southern blue whiting target strength (TS) results from Kirchhoff modelling of swimbladder casts scanned using a hand-held 3D laser scanner are presented. The data are compared with the relationship between TS and fish length used for New Zealand stock-assessment surveys; TS = 21.8 log10(fork length) − 72.8, at 38 kHz. This relationship has its origins in the relationship used for blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the northern hemisphere, and is based on measurements on juvenile cod (Gadus morhua). The results indicate that the blue whiting relationship is not appropriate for southern blue whiting, and suggest a much steeper slope, with TS = 38 log10(fork length) − 97, at 38 kHz. Sensitivity analyses indicate that further investigations of swimbladder tilt-angle distribution and swimbladder volume are unlikely to provide evidence to support the use of the blue whiting relationship for southern blue whiting.

scholarly journals In situ target strength of the Baltic Sea herring and sprat

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Didrikas ◽  
Sture Hansson
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
The North ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Stock Biomass ◽  
Acoustic Target ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract Using single- and split-beam hydroacoustic equipment (70 and 38 kHz), and gillnet and trawl catches, we derived the relationship TS = 25.5 log10 L − 73.6 (r2=0.95) between acoustic target strength (TS) and fish length (L, cm) for Baltic Sea herring (Clupea harengus membras L.) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus (Schneider)). Fixing the slope to 20, which is a standard practice in hydroacoustics, gave TS = 20 log10 L − 67.8 (r2=0.91). Normally, the fisheries agencies around the Baltic use a TS–length relationship that is based mainly on data from the North Sea and the intercept-value in this equation is 3.4 dB lower than that reported in this paper. This difference corresponds to an approximately twofold difference in assessed stock biomass.

scholarly journals The effects of swimbladder size, condition and gonads on the acoustic target strength of mature capelin

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1056-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roar Jørgensen
Keyword(s):  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Condition Factor ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Gonad Weight ◽  
The Barents Sea ◽  
Size Condition ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Acoustic Target ◽  
Post Spawning

Abstract Pre- and post-spawning capelin from the Barents Sea stock were observed in a net pen with a calibrated 38 kHz scientific split-beam echosounder. The transducer was positioned vertically or tilted. The acoustic target strength (TS) of capelin depended on swimbladder length. In female capelin within 15.5–18.0 cm length the logarithm of weight was significantly negatively related to TS. The negative effect of weight on TS could be due to a higher condition factor (assumed higher fat content), which gave the fish additional buoyancy and less need for swimbladder volume. The effect of gonad weight on TS was not significant. Comparisons of measurements made with vertical and tilted transducers demonstrated a small but significant effect of tilt angle on TS.

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