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Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries

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A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Fishery Facilities, Equipment, and Information Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 14189

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jianfeng Tong

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Guest Editor

College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Interests: fisheries acoustics; fisheries oceanography; bio-acoustical ecology; fish habitat

Prof. Dr. Yong Tang

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Guest Editor

College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Interests: fisheries acoustics; biotelemetry

Prof. Dr. Tohru Mukai

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Marine Environment and Resource Sensing, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Interests: acoustic engineering; electronic engineering; ocean engineering; acoustics; oceanography; remote sensing
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Special Issue Information

The Sixteenth Annual Meeting of Asian Fisheries Acoustics Society (AFAS 2023)—"The International Conference on Underwater Acoustic Technology and Education for Sustainable Fishery In Asia"
13–16 November 2023, Shanghai, China
http://afas-acoustic.org/meeting/Shanghai2023/index.html

Dear Colleagues,

Underwater acoustic technologies have rapidly emerged as indispensable tools in fisheries management and conservation efforts. Their capacity to deliver valuable insights into the behavior, migration patterns, population dynamics, and monitoring of ecosystems in relation to fish holds tremendous potential in advancing the sustainability of global fisheries. This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge applications of underwater acoustic technologies across various aspects of sustainable fisheries, highlighting their importance in achieving effective management strategies. We invite researchers, scientists, and practitioners to submit original research articles and reviews that address, but which are not limited to, the following topics:

Fisheries acoustics and echo surveys;
Acoustic biotelemetry;
Ecosystem monitoring;
Fish counting and behavior monitoring;
Aquaculture monitoring;
Integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems;
Technological challenges and future directions.

We encourage contributions from interdisciplinary research teams, encompassing fisheries scientists, acousticians, engineers, and policymakers, to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Additionally, case studies demonstrating the successful implementation of underwater acoustic technology for sustainable fisheries management are highly encouraged.

Dr. Jianfeng Tong
Prof. Dr. Yong Tang
Prof. Dr. Tohru Mukai
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fisheries acoustics
acoustic biotelemetry
acoustics in marine ranch and fresh water
echo survey
habitat mapping
ecosystem monitoring
fish counting
fish behavior monitoring
aquaculture monitoring
passive acoustic monitoring

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 6166 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Acoustic Camera for Monitoring Three Large Jellyfish Species in the Coastal Waters of Liaodong Bay, China

by Bin Wang, Xiuze Liu, Jing Dong, Aiyong Wang, Chao Feng, Yanzhao Xu, Depu Zhang and Zhongfang Zhao

Fishes 2025, 10(3), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10030105 - 28 Feb 2025

Viewed by 390

Abstract

A survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive resolution imaging sonar (ARIS), also known as an acoustic camera, for monitoring large jellyfish in the Liaodong Bay area, China. The abundance and vertical distribution of large jellyfish species, such as Nemopilema nomurai, Aurelia coerulea, and Cyanea nozakii, were obtained from acoustic camera observation images, and the effectiveness of the acoustic camera method was determined. The acoustic camera method provided visual information on the number of large jellyfish and their positions in the water column and demonstrated that they were more frequently located in the mid-upper water column of the surveyed area. The results show that it is possible to identify three different types of large jellyfish using acoustic camera sonar images, based on their size, shape, outline, and movement trajectory. The acoustic camera method enables the effective monitoring of jellyfish abundance and enables the observation of their vertical distribution, demonstrating its suitability for monitoring large jellyfish in shallow waters. The results show that observations through an acoustic camera can be used to study the horizontal and vertical spatial distribution characteristics of large jellyfish and to observe their behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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13 pages, 2966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Fish Resources in a Typical River–Lake Confluence Ecosystem During the Initial Period of Fishing Ban

by Huifeng Li, Xujun Yu, Bingbing Wu, Lixiong Yu, Dengqiang Wang, Ke Wang, Sheng Wang, Daqing Chen, Yuefei Li, Xinbin Duan and Jie Li

Fishes 2024, 9(12), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9120492 - 30 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 721

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatio-temporal dynamics of fish resources in the confluence waters of Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River, focusing on the initial phase of a 10-year fishing ban implemented in January 2020. Through hydroacoustic surveys conducted during both high-water (September 2020) and low-water (January 2021) periods, we identified significant variations in fish density and individual size across different sections. During the high water level period, fish concentrations were primarily observed in the confluence area between the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake, exhibiting higher densities compared to other regions. Conversely, fish congregated in the deep-water zones of the main river during the low water level period. The fish population was dominated by small to medium-sized individuals, with mean body lengths of 12.47 cm and 12.62 cm during the high and low water level periods, respectively. Notably, 42 and 33 fish species were recorded during the high-water and low-water surveys, respectively, emphasizing the region’s rich biodiversity. Importantly, the study demonstrates that the fishing ban has resulted in substantial increases in both fish density and mean body length, underscoring its effectiveness in fostering fish population recovery. These findings provide critical baseline data to inform scientific conservation and management strategies in this ecologically sensitive river–lake ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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13 pages, 4441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acoustic Target Strength Measurement of Larmichthys crocea Based on the Kirchhoff-Ray Mode Model

by Junliang Meng, Yong Tang, Lizhi Sun, Longshan Lin, Yuan Li, Xing Miao, Shigang Liu and Puqing Song

Fishes 2024, 9(11), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9110424 - 22 Oct 2024

Viewed by 967

Abstract

Larmichthys crocea (L. crocea) is an economically important fish species mainly distributed off the coast of China. In this study, 11 L. crocea samples of different body lengths were collected from aquaculture cages in the East China Sea to measure the acoustic target strength (TS). Using the Kirchhoff-Ray mode (KRM) model, the directional TS of L. crocea was measured at frequencies of 70 kHz, 120 kHz, and 200 kHz. Furthermore, the relationships between TS and body length were determined using the least squares method and the standard b₂₀ equation. The results showed that the TS of L. crocea varied with tilt angle, frequency, and body length. For tilt angles ranging from (−5°, 15°), the equation for fitting TS and body length using the least squares method were TS = 32.99·log₁₀L − 87.36 (70 kHz), TS = 33.26·log₁₀L − 87.77 (120 kHz), and TS = 39.46·log₁₀L − 95.51 (200 kHz). They were expressed in the standard b₂₀ equation as TS = 20·log₁₀L − 71.16 (70 kHz), TS = 20·log₁₀L − 71.23 (120 kHz), and TS = 20·log₁₀L − 71.24 (200 kHz). For tilt angles ranging from (0°, 10°), the equation for fitting TS and body length using the least squares method is TS = 28.69·log₁₀L − 81.71 (70 kHz), TS = 32.30·log₁₀L − 86.44 (120 kHz), and TS = 45.87·log₁₀L − 103.73 (200 kHz). They were expressed in the standard b₂₀ equation as TS = 20·log₁₀L − 70.88 (70 kHz), TS = 20·log₁₀L − 71.10 (120 kHz), and TS = 20·log₁₀L − 71.48 (200 kHz). Moreover, the 18–300 kHz spectral curve showed a decreasing trend in the frequency range from 18 kHz to 30 kHz, while maintaining relatively stable fluctuations in the other frequency ranges. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the scattering characteristics of L. crocea and provide a reliable reference of TS for the fishery acoustic assessment of L. crocea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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13 pages, 2461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Fish Target Identification and Counting Method Based on DIDSON Sonar and YOLOv5 Model

by Wei Shen, Mengqi Liu, Quanshui Lu, Zhaowei Yin and Jin Zhang

Fishes 2024, 9(9), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9090346 - 31 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1377

Abstract

In order to more accurately and quickly identify and count underwater fish targets, and to address the issues of excessive reliance on manual processes and low processing efficiency in the identification and counting of fish targets using sonar data, a method based on DIDSON and YOLOv5 for fish target identification and counting is proposed. This study is based on YOLOv5, which trains a recognition model by identifying fish targets in each frame of DIDSON images and uses the DeepSort algorithm to track and count fish targets. Field data collection was conducted at Chenhang Reservoir in Shanghai, and this method was used to process and verify the results. The accuracy of random sampling was 83.56%, and the average accuracy of survey line detection was 84.28%. Compared with the traditional method of using Echoview to process sonar data, the YOLOv5 based method replaces the step that requires manual participation, significantly reducing the time required for data processing while maintaining the same accuracy, providing faster and more effective technical support for monitoring and managing fish populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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20 pages, 3824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigations on Target Strength Estimation Methods: A Case Study of Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

by Zhenhong Zhu, Jianfeng Tong, Minghua Xue, Chuhan Qiu, Shuo Lyu and Bilin Liu

Fishes 2024, 9(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9080307 - 3 Aug 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1095

Abstract

Target strength (TS) is an acoustic property of individual marine organisms and a critical factor in acoustic resource assessments. However, previous studies have primarily focused on measuring TS at narrowband, typical frequencies, which cannot meet the requirements of broadband acoustic technology research. Additionally, for marine fish, conducting in situ TS measurements is challenging due to environmental constraints. Rapidly freezing and preserving fish samples for transfer to the laboratory is a common method currently used. However, the impact of freezing preservation during transportation on the swimbladder morphology and TS of swimbladder-bearing fish remains unclear. This study investigated the differences in swimbladder morphology and TS of Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) before and after freezing. Then, we compared different TS measurement methods through ex situ TS measurements (45–90 kHz, 160–260 kHz) and the Kirchhoff-ray mode model (KRM) simulations (1–300 kHz) and studied the broadband scattering characteristics of Chub mackerel based on the KRM model. The results showed that the morphology of the swimbladder was reduced after freezing, with significant changes in swimbladder height and volume. However, the trends of TS were not consistent and the changes were small. The difference between the KRM model and ex situ measurements was −0.38 ± 1.84 dB, indicating good applicability of the KRM. Based on the KRM results, the TS exhibited significant directivity, with fluctuations gradually decreasing and stabilizing as frequency increased. In the broadband mode, the relationship between TS and body length (L) of Chub mackerel was TS = 20log(L) − 66.76 (30 > L/λ >10). This study could provide a reference for acoustic resource estimation and species identification of Chub mackerel in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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15 pages, 4514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vocalization Pattern and Echolocation Signal Characteristics of Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) in Captivity

by Jia Chen, Haiying Liang, Danqing Lin, Jialu Zhang, Dong Li, Kun Ye, Wenfei Lu and Kai Liu

Fishes 2024, 9(4), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9040119 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1952

Abstract

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis, YFP) possesses the ability to detect distance through echolocation signals, and its sonar signal signature is adjusted to detect different targets. In order to understand the vocal characteristics of YFPs in different behavioral states and their differential performance, we recorded the vocal activities of YFPs in captivity during free-swimming, feeding, and nighttime resting and quantified their signal characteristic parameters for statistical analysis and comparison. The results showed that the number of vocalizations of the YFPs in the daytime free-swimming state was lower than that in the feeding and nighttime resting states, and the echolocation signals emitted in these three states showed significant differences in the −10 dB duration, −3 dB bandwidth, −10 dB bandwidth, and root-mean-square (RMS) bandwidth. Analysis of the resolution of the echolocation signals of the YFPs using the ambiguity function indicated that their distance resolution could reach the millimeter level. These results indicate that the echolocation signal characteristics of YFPs present diurnal differences and that they can be adjusted with changes in their detection targets. The results of this study can provide certain scientific references and foundations for the studies of tooth whale behavioral acoustics, and provide relevant scientific guidance for the conservation and management of YFPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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16 pages, 4321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Antarctic Silverfish in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

by Sara Lee, Wooseok Oh, Hyoung Sul La, Wuju Son, Jeong-Hoon Kim and Kyounghoon Lee

Fishes 2024, 9(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9020047 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2093

Abstract

Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) play a crucial intermediary role in connecting top predators and krill in the food web of the Antarctic Ocean. Despite their crucial role, research on their abundance is lacking. In this study, we estimated the abundance of juvenile Antarctic silverfish as foundational data for predicting their abundance. The density of juvenile Antarctic silverfish was estimated using an acoustic backscattering theoretical model. The mean volume backscattering strength was used to investigate the vertical and horizontal distributions of juvenile Antarctic silverfish in the Antarctic Ross Sea. The survey area was located near Cape Hallett, Antarctica, where Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), ice krill (E. crystallorophias), and Antarctic silverfish coexist. The survey was performed four times using the Korean Antarctic research ship, RV Araon (R/V, 7507 GT). Frame trawls were conducted to identify the length and weight of the target fish species in the survey area. Captured Antarctic silverfish captured measured 3–9 cm. The maximum target strength (TS) was −92.93 dB at 38 kHz, −86.63 dB at 120 kHz, and 85.89 dB at 200 kHz. The average TS was −100.00 dB at 38 kHz, −93.00 dB at 120 kHz, and −106.90 dB at 200 kHz. Most juvenile Antarctic silverfish were found at a depth of 100 m and were distributed closer to sea ice. Between nearshore and polynya waters, the fish demonstrated a proclivity for polynya waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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23 pages, 2906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Broadband Scattering Characteristic Quantization Technique for Single Fish Based on a Split-Beam Echosounder

by Qiuming Ai, Haisen Li, Jin Yao, Chao Li and Jiangping Tao

Fishes 2024, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9010012 - 27 Dec 2023

Viewed by 2037

Abstract

The utilization of broadband quantization data increases the possibility of practical applications for fish target recognition based on the acoustic scattering theory. However, the quantification of broadband data is more complex than that of narrowband systems, requiring consideration of the broadband characteristics of split-beam transducers, seawater absorption, and circuits. This paper elucidates the scatterer acoustic field equation, transducer power equation, and signal processing flow in split-beam broadband quantization technology for engineering applications. A broadband calculation model based on transducer parameters is proposed to enhance the generalization ability of broadband quantization technology to different types of sonar. The classical echo integration method is combined with Fourier transform to meet the requirements of target strength (TS) estimation under broadband signals. This paper includes a series of experiments to prove the rationality and effectiveness of the method. The results demonstrate that the provided calculation model can more accurately reflect the backscattering characteristics of the scatterer, but certain errors remain. This article analyzes the sources of errors and validates the effectiveness of the new TS calculation method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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Review

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27 pages, 1880 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Fisheries Acoustics: A Review of the Current State in Mexico and Future Perspectives

by Violeta E. González-Máynez, Enrique Morales-Bojórquez, Manuel O. Nevárez-Martínez and Héctor Villalobos

Fishes 2024, 9(10), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9100387 - 28 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1468

Abstract

In Mexico, marine acoustics research still faces technical and scientific challenges. For the past decade, the country has made a sustained effort to implement acoustic techniques to generate time series of standardized information; however, these data have been underutilized. Marine acoustics research has been used mainly for small pelagic species and has contributed to improving fishery management and to advising stakeholders. The Mexican scientific community has perceived marine acoustic techniques as expensive tools that are only used for industrial fishing purposes. Marine acoustics can provide information on the variability and interactions between species, their physical environment, and other communities of species, but this approach has not yet been integrated into interdisciplinary research programs or ecosystem models. Additionally, acoustic data provide estimates of biomass and indices of relative abundance, and they have suitable statistical properties for use in integrated catch-at-age models. In summary, to consolidate marine acoustic techniques in Mexico, it is necessary, at a minimum, to maintain the current infrastructure for acoustic studies, to increase the budget for the development of monitoring programs that collect ecosystem indicator data, to promote the training of human resources, and to encourage peer review of the information generated and reported in gray literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustic Technologies for Sustainable Fisheries)

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