This project built on successful proof of concept and gear strategy work in 2017 and 2019, which used an industry purse seine vessel (F/V Lisa Marie) to conduct complementary nearshore Coastal Pelagic Species (e.g., Pacific sardine) acoustic surveys and sampling in conjunction with the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Acoustic-Trawl Method (ATM) survey. The NOAA SWFSC ATM survey does not survey acoustically in waters shallower than 20 meters (m) and does not trawl in waters shallower than 50 m. However, CPS distribution is known to extend into much shallower depths through use of an industry purse seine vessel outfitted with acoustic equipment. The objective of this project was to expand CPS data collection to non-surveilled nearshore areas addressing industry concerns and needs identified in methodology peer reviews.
You can find more on this topic by watching this video presentation or reading the attached reports by West Coast Pelagic Conservation Group and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
