Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish
assemblages (SE1306_BeforeCalib, EK60). Optical, active acoustics, and research fishing
data on bottomfish abundance and biomass were collected over predetermined grids to
compare results of methodologies. Optical data were collected using a baited and unbaited
stationary Botcam, a SeaBED AUV, and a Phantom ROV. Acoustics data were collected
using a narrow-beam EK60 system operating at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies.
Research fishing was conducted using hook-and-line on small boats. Simultaneous AUV
and ROV with active acoustics were operated to obtain target strength measurements
of fish with known species and sizes. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously
with acoustics data collection to further groundtruth the acoustics data. |