| The Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) program of NOAA National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) conducted
acoustic-trawl (AT) stock assessment surveys in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) during the
winter of 2013 to estimate the distribution and abundance of walleye pollock (Gadus
chalcogrammus). The vessel departed Kodiak, Alaska on 7 February, conducted EK60 echosounder
system calibration on 9 February, then returned to Kodiak due to vessel mechanical
issues on 12 February. The vessel departed Kodiak on 24 February following repairs,
arriving at the start of the first survey on 26 February. The Shumagin Islands survey
was conducted 26 February to 1 March and included Shumagin Trough, Stepovak Bay, Renshaw
Point, Unga Strait, and West Nagai Strait. The Sanak Trough survey was conducted on
2 March, followed by the Morzhovoi Bay survey on 3 March; the vessel arrived in Kodiak
on 4 March. The survey was conducted aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, a 64 meter stern
trawler equipped with acoustic and oceanographic instrumentation. |