| 2013-2014 California Current Ecosystem (CCE14): Acoustic-Trawl Survey of Coastal Pelagic
Fishes (Legs I and II); and Investigations of hake survey methods, life history, and
associated ecosystem (Legs III and IV) (SH1405, ME70). The 2014 acoustic-trawl method
(ATM) project aboard Bell M. Shimada represents a joint effort between the SWFSC and
the NWFSC in investigating elements of the California Current Ecosystem (CCE). The
primary goal is to use the ATM to estimate the biomasses, distributions, and biological
compositions of the northern sub-population of sardine, other CPS (e.g., mackerels,
anchovy, herring, and smelts), hake, krill, and gelatinous zooplankton within the
survey region. The adaptive sampling may span the northern sub-population of sardine,
probably between Cape Flattery to Point Conception, but potentially from the northern
end of Vancouver Island, Canada to the U.S.-Mexican border, as safely navigable in
the east, and to the western extent of CPS and hake backscatter in the west. The seconary
goal is to investigate the methods that will improve the accuracy and efficiency of
the Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE).
The overall 2014 effort, hereafter referred to as CCE14, consists of five project
legs: Legs I and II: A SWFSC-led survey of coastal pelagic fishes (CPS), demersal
fishes, zooplankton, and their oceanographic habitats within the California Current
Ecosystem will be conducted during Leg I and Leg II (24 June to 24 August). This ATM
survey will assess biomasses, distributions, and biological compositions of multiple
species and trophic levels within the adaptively sampled region spanning the northern
subpopulation of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). During Leg II, as time permits
(at the discretion of the Chief Scientist), the NWFSC will sample age-1 hake and characterize
the western extent of adult hake. Legs III and IV: NWFSC-led investigations of Pacific
hake (Merluccius productus) and joint survey methods, life history, and associated
ecosystem components (trophic structure and oceanography) will be conducted during
CCE14 Leg III and Leg IV (28 August to 14 September). The data included here are only
those collected during Legs III and IV by NWFSC. |