Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Development of New Methods for Quantifying Fish Density Using Underwater Stereo-video Tools
Published on: November 20, 2017
Detecting Atlantic herring by parametric sonar
Olav Rune Godo1, Kenneth G Foote, Johnny Dybedal
1Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway. olavrune@imr.no
Abstract:
The difference-frequency band of the Kongsberg TOPAS PS18 parametric sub-bottom profiling sonar, nominally 1-6 kHz, is being used to observe Atlantic herring. Representative TOPAS echograms of herring layers and schools observed in situ in December 2008 and November 2009 are presented. These agree well with echograms of volume backscattering strength derived simultaneously with the narrowband Simrad EK60/18- and 38-kHz scientific echo sounder, also giving insight into herring avoidance behavior in relation to survey vessel passage. Progress in rendering the TOPAS echograms quantitative is described.
