Platform for Acoustic Data Acquisition and Analysis for Stock Monitoring and Decision Support (PADABB)

Acoustic trawl surveys are often used to estimate the abundance, population structure, and geographic distribution of pelagic stocks, and are an important component of stock management. However, such surveys are costly and subject to uncertainty related to, among other things, coverage and the spatial distribution of biomass. Many commercial fishing vessels are equipped with high-quality echo sounders and operate in areas and time periods not covered by research surveys. Acoustic data from the fishing fleet can therefore provide a valuable supplement to traditional surveys, both for stock assessment and ecosystem monitoring, provided there is a good understanding of the methodological limitations. Data of lower quality can also be useful, particularly for documenting where fish are not found and thereby optimizing the use of research vessels. Current monitoring is often based on assumptions of stable spatial distribution between years, which can result in inefficient survey effort. Acoustic data from fishing vessels can provide ongoing information about the distribution and migration of species such as Norwegian spring-spawning herring, blue whiting, and mackerel. Such knowledge can be used to optimize survey design, improve stock estimates, and better understand dynamic changes in the spatial distribution of fish. The project builds on synergies with the projects DABB, IMR's new data platform, the LSSS/KORONA processing system for acoustic data, the Centre for Research-based Innovation in acoustics SFI CRIMAC, and Kongsberg Discovery's Geomatics initiative, with collaboration on data models, acoustic processing, autonomous platforms, data flow, and shared infrastructure and operational testing through surveys and international workshops.