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This study aims at assessment of spatio-temporal distribution of demersal fish aggregations near the west coast of Jeju Island using hydroacoustic survey. A 200 kHz split beam transducer attached to a small towed body was used for all acoustic investigations. The received acoustic data were in situ acoustic target strength (TS, dB) for all pings and nautical area scattering coefficient (NASC, m²/mile²) for 0.1 mile along 12 acoustic transects. Demersal fish aggregations are distributed around the coastal slope having 20 to 30 m depth throughout all seasons. The concentration is higher during the summer season. With regard spatial distribution, higher demersal fish aggregations have been detected near the West coast of Shinchang and especially near Chagwi-do. Pelagic fish aggregations were higher to the south of Chagwi-do during the spring season. Additionally, standing stock of demersal fish aggregations from the NASC data, TS function, and length-weight function of dominant species was estimated as follows: 3.2 ton (CV 21.8%) in December 2006, 17.9 ton (CV 21.6%) in April 2007, 30.8 ton (CV 17.8%) in June 2007, and 22.5 ton (CV 24.2%) in October 2007. The application of hydroacoustic methods offers a new approach to understanding spatiotemporal structure and estimate the biomass of demersal fish aggregations in the coastal area. And the results can be made up limitations of qualitative analysis through net and diving for fisheries resources survey in coastal area.

Acoustic survey for density and biomass estimate of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, was conducted in the large area between South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands, during November 30-December 30, 2002. Considering oceanographic and geographic properties, the study area was divided into six sub-regions. Acoustic system and frequency used in the survey were quantitative echo sounder (Simrad Ek 500) and 38, 120-kHz split beam transducers. In order to discriminate krill aggregations in all acoustic signal, difference of mean volume backscattering strength method of the two frequencies was introduced. Averaged krill density for the overall surveyed area was , and spatially averaged estimates of krill density were (north of the South Shetland Islands), (Bransfield Strait), (near the Elephant Island), (north of the Elephant Island), (between Elephant Island and South Orkney Islands) and (northwest of the South Orkney Islands) at each sub-area. In the two sub-regions with surveyed area, estimated krill biomass in the north of the Elephant Island was 0.315 million tones with a CV of 18.35% , and between Elephant Island and South Orkey Islands was 1.26 million tones with a CV of 9.45% . As a whole, the krill density in the early summer season was low level, comparing with that of January-February. This suggested that major krill swarms in the around South Shetland Islands were reached in the mid-summer seasons from western part of the Antarctic Peninsula, and the low krill density also affects the density variation of the krill between Elephant Island and South Orkney Islands.

Target strength (TS) of Japanese common squids (Todarodes pacificus) were measured using 38 and 120 kHz split beam scientific echosounders under the live condition. For the TS measurement of an individual, a total of 3 squids (mantle length (ML): 22.8, 25, and 27 cm) were used using small fishhook method, whereas for measurement of swimming angle, a total of 8 squids (ML: 21-27 cm) were used under live condition, confined with net cage with 2 m diameter At the same time, two underwater video cameras enabled continuous monitoring of squid behavior. Considering normal behavior, the mean TS at 38 and 120 kHz varied from -48.6 to -45.9 dB, and from -46.5 to -44.6 dB, respectively In both frequencies, mean TS at 120 kHz is relatively higher than that of 38 kHz, approximately 1.3-2.5 dB. From free living condition, the mean swimming angle of the squlds was . The results of the measurement will be provided basic information for conducting acoustic surveys of the squid.

Hydroacoustic and open-closing zooplankton net survey were conducted to understand the characteristics of the sound scattering layer (SSL) and to estimate the density of an euphausiid (Euphausia pacifica) in the SSL, in the northwestern part of the East China Sea. The survey was carried out during July 6-9 2002 at 8 sampling stations for zooplankton. The virtual echogram technique was used to identify E. pacifica from all acoustic scatters. Mean volume backscattering strength difference and target strength equation for E. pacifica were derived from the Distorted-wave Born Approximation (DWBA) model. Although vertical migration of the SSL is similar to the general pattern, dispersion at night shows some differences. Estimated mean density using acoustic data ranged from over the whole depth, and in the SSL. The density using the zooplankton net ranged from and was not related to net deploying method. The results from the acoustic and net survey suggest that E. pacifica might be an important zooplankton community in the northwestern part of the East China Sea.

Species identification in hydroacoustic survey is one of the key requirements to estimate biomass of organism and to understand the structure of zooplankton community. Feasibility of species identification using two frequencies (38 and 120 kHz) was investigated on the basis of mean volume backscattering strength difference (MVBS). Virtual echogram technique was applied to two frequencies data sets that obtained from surveys in the Antarctic Ocean and Yellow Sea. Virtual echogram method using MVBS revealed the possibility of species identification, which species identification relying on visual scrutiny of single frequency acoustic data resulted in significant errors in biomass estimation. Through noise cancellation using MVBS, much of the acoustic noise caused by acoustic instruments could be removed in new virtual echogram, and the biomass estimation and data quality was improved.