Hydroacoustic Surveys: A Non-Destructive Approach to Monitoring Fish Distributions at National Marine Sanctuaries; Technical memo

摘要

The science of fisheries acoustics and its applicability to resource management have evolved over the past several decades. This document provides a basic description of fisheries acoustics and recommendations on using this technology for research and monitoring of fish distributions and habitats within sanctuaries. It also describes recent efforts aimed at applying fisheries acoustics to Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS). The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for sanctuary managers interested in developing fisheries acoustic surveys in support of National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) goals and objectives, using GRNMS as an example. Recently, a partnership between the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) was defined with the goal of effectively managing sanctuaries using the best available science, with a focus on characterizing and monitoring sanctuary resources. The applicability of acoustic fisheries techniques to specific management strategies identified in the GRNMS Final Management Plan (NOAA 2006) is summarized in the report.