NAFO Division 4T Herring Spawning Grounds Acoustic Survey for Stock Assessment

A fishery-independent acoustic survey initiated in 2015 provides an abundance index for herring stock assessment in NAFO Division 4T. The survey, a partnership between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and fishery associations, uses random parallel transects within predefined strata to estimate nightly spawning biomass. Data includes size and age measurements, acoustic tracking, and species counts.

Use Cases

• Estimating nightly spawning biomass based on acoustic survey data and experimental net catches.
• Calibrating herring target strength for acoustic backscatter based on biological samples.
• Analyzing spatial and temporal trends in herring spawning grounds based on stratified survey design.
• Providing fishery-independent abundance indices for stock assessment models based on the survey methodology.

Strengths

• Survey design follows a structured protocol with random parallel transects within predefined strata.
• Data collection is a partnership between a government agency (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and industry associations.
• Includes multiple parameter types: biological (size, age), ecological (acoustic tracking, species counts).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Acoustic survey conducted by fishermen using random parallel transects within strata, with protocols developed by DFO.

Time Range

Survey initiated in 2015; specific temporal coverage is not detailed.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-28 14:30:53.527104; freshness should be verified.

Geography

NAFO Fishing Division 4T, specifically Herring fishing areas 16C and 16E mentioned for 2015-2017.