Our acoustic analysis system for fish is becoming open-source

LSSS has been developed by researchers at NORCE in collaboration with and commissioned by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR).

"The collaboration between the Institute of Marine Research, CMI/CMR/NORCE, and Simrad/Kongsberg over nearly half a century has positioned us as leaders in the use of acoustic methods as a basis for managing marine resources," says Rolf Korneliussen from the Institute of Marine Research, who served as project leader for the initiative.

Korneliussen has worked closely for many years with NORCE researchers Inge Eliassen and Yngve Heggelund on the software. They hope that opening it up will lead to even greater dissemination of the knowledge embedded in it.

New international projects in fisheries acoustics are increasingly using open-source software, and the adoption of such systems is spreading rapidly.

"The strong technical and user-friendly features of LSSS are expected to help the release of its source code promote our methods and reinforce our leading global position. It also expands opportunities for collaboration with institutions in other countries, particularly among members of ICES, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea," says Korneliussen.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is an intergovernmental marine science organization with 20 member countries. ICES addresses society's need for impartial documentation on the state and sustainable use of our oceans and marine areas.

A Nearly 50-Year History

The development of this software has roots that go back decades. Here's the story: The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) initially used the Bergen Echo Integrator (BEI) to analyze acoustic data. However, BEI, which was developed in 1987, became increasingly difficult to maintain and expand, and its existing post-processing system was inadequate. Researchers at what was then Chr. Michelsen Research (CMR)—now NORCE—were approached: Could they develop a Large Scale Survey System (LSSS)?

This happened in 2002, marking the beginning of the development of LSSS's precursor, KORONA.

The development of LSSS itself began in 2005, and it was officially implemented at IMR in 2007.

Now, in 2024, LSSS continues to deliver its services and is being further developed in collaboration between the Institute of Marine Research and NORCE researchers.

Currently, 250 users have purchased 36 licenses, representing 22 institutions. However, the market is larger, and even more users should adopt the tool due to its significant utility for monitoring ocean resources. Opening LSSS as an open-source project is expected to further increase its adoption.

Large Scale Survey System (LSSS), pronounced "L-triple-S," is now a software package designed for detailed analysis of data from multi-frequency echo sounders. It can be used in offline mode in offices or in online mode during data collection.

LSSS is tailored for applications in marine resource monitoring, stock assessment, and management, as well as marine research.

Key Features and Strengths of LSSS:

• Fast Processing: LSSS excels at rapidly interpreting large data volumes, enabling users to analyze an entire day of survey data in approximately two hours. This efficiency makes LSSS ideal for regular monitoring and analysis of national fish stocks.
• Post-Processing Efficiency: LSSS offers more effective and precise post-processing of acoustic data. Operators can manipulate echograms, adjust thresholds, remove noise, and analyze data in digital formats.
• Acoustic Structure Analysis: Experienced operators can identify and differentiate acoustic structures (e.g., fish schools) based on biological and oceanographic measurements, often aiming to isolate specific species.

Background:

Acoustic methods are commonly used to estimate fish stocks, with single-frequency echo integration being the standard approach.

By offering innovative tools and user-friendly functionality, LSSS is a valuable resource for sustainable marine resource management and research, ensuring informed decision-making in ocean stewardship.