Abstract:
A workshop was held in Santa Barbara, California,
associated with assessing the populations of nekton
animals such as squids, shrimps and fishes. Sessions
four major methods of assessing nekton populations:
(1) Net collections
(2) Acoustics
(3) Egg/larval surveys
(4) Visual methods, remote sensing and feeding habit studies
An attempt was made to review the state of the art for each method
including advantages, disadvantages and an evaluation of the accuracy of
assessment. In addition, an attempt was made to identify important
scientific problems and to recommend areas for future research and
development.
Some of the major recommendations that were made to improve our ability
to quantitatively assess nektonic populations include:
1. Coordinated research programs that utilize complementary combinations
of all the above methods, each used in a consistent and repeatable way, to
provide better estimates of the composition and abundance of nekton and to
enable intercomparisons of the accuracy and precision of sampling
techniques.
2. Use of larger nets to sample a broader spectrum of nekton, and
development of large, opening-closing trawls.
3. Joint biological-acoustical research to characterize and identify
acoustical targets.
4. Development of an advanced acoustical system with multifrequency and
deep-towing capabilities.
