Development of hydroacoustics methods for New York State

abstract

We have developed standard operating procedures for hydroacoustic surveys in the great lakes that are now in press at the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. We are also developing teaching tools, a web site (Acoustics unpacked), and a chapter in the American Fisheries Society`s text book on Fisheries Techniques. Standardization of techniques and a better appreciation for the uncertainties in this technique will increase it usefulness in the Great Lakes and elsewhere.

submitted by

Rudstam, Lars Gosta | Professor

issue being addressed

Hydroacoustics is commonly used in marine systems for estimating fish abundance and setting harvest quotas. There is large potential for using this technique also in freshwater systems. Problems include definition of noise thresholds, separation of invertebrate from fish echoes, separation of different fish age groups and proper survey designs. There is a need for a standard operating procedure the spans lakes, different manufacturers, and software.

response

We have developed the necessary equations for applying hydroacoustics to Lakes Erie and Champlain smelt populations, algorithms for separating invertebrates from fish and for separating different fish age groups, and for subtracting depth dependent noise levels. These methods are being applied to acoustic estimates of smelt in Lakes Erie and Champlain, alewife and smelt in Lake Ontario, and omul in Lake Baikal. We have produced version 1.0 of a standard operating procedure that is being copy edited, and submitted a chapter on acoustics to be part of fisheries techniques book by the American Fisheries Society. Further we are developing a web site Acoustics unpacked, with access to the SOP and interactive equations. Acoustics is becoming a cost effective methods for standard fish sampling across New York State.

impact assessment

An accurate assessment of forage fish abundance in the Great Lakes will prevent over-stocking (or under-stocking) of predatory salmonids and allow for a better utilization of the fisheries potential of these lakes. Assessment in Lake Baikal, Russia is critical for quotas of the major commercial fishery in that lake. Similar questions require attention in other parts of the nation and the world. Our standard operating procedures are being implemented in major fisheries acoustics software packages.

academic priority area

Environmental Sciences | CALS academic priority
Land-Grant Mission | CALS academic priority

topic description

Fisheries

has geographic focus

Australia | country
Canada | country
Russia | country
Norway | country
Sweden | country
Israel | country
Wisconsin | state
Minnesota | state
Illinois | state
Massachusetts | state
Pennsylvania | state
Indiana | state
Michigan | state
Ohio | state
Vermont | state
Washington | state

funding source description

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Great Lakes Fisheries Commission
New York Sea Grant

collaborators

Limnological Institute n Irkutsk
USGS-Grea Lakes Scienc Center
Yiga Allon Limnological Laboraroty
University of Washington
NMFS- Woods Hole
NOAA-Great Lakes Lab
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Vermont DNR
New York DEC
USGS-Cooperative Unit

key personnel

Don Einhouse
John Horne
Donna Parrish
Bernie Pientka
Michael Jech
Ted Schaner
Doran Mason
Sandra Parker Stetter
Patrick Sullivan
Dave Warner

department, unit, division

Natural Resources (NTRES/DNR) | Cornell department

mission focus

extension/outreach | project type
research | project type