Methodical aspects of fish acoustic survey under example of icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) survey - data collection and processing

Proposals and requirements for a standardized methodology for acoustic surveys for   assessment of fish  biomass in the pelagic area  are discussed.    It is proposed that acoustic surveys of fish in the CCAMLR area should provide (i) an estimate of the biomass and distribution of icefish in the pelagic zone; (ii) an estimate of the biomass and distribution of other finfish species in the pelagic zone (e.g., myctophidids); (iii) an analysis of the interactions between the spatial distribution of krill and icefish, as well as the interactions between the spatial distribution of icefish and other finfish (e.g., myctophidids) as a source of potential alternative food webs between icefish and krill. Proposals for acoustic survey data collection and processing are discussed.