Acoustic information applied to 4D environmental studies in the Baltic

Since 1981, acoustic information collected in the form of calibrated measurements of integrated echo energy has been applied at the Sea Fisheries Institute to observe the relationships between fish distribution and environmental factors. Data gathered in different seasons for each elementary distance unit (EDSU) at standardised depth intervals were compared to the values of selected environmental parameters measured in parallel. Acoustic, biological and hydrological data were correlated in space and transferred to the complex database, enabling 4D analysis of numerous factors characterising a wide range of fish behaviour. A number of methods and standards of comparisons are described to explain how to improve understanding of the relationship between 3D spatial environmental gradients and fish distributions. The results of various case studies, including the influence of hydrologic and seabed characterising factors, illustrate the practical application and validity of the methods. Particular attention is given to indicators of the dependence of local fish biomass density on the temperature structure in the sea.