1. Multibeam Sonar Mapping and Scallop Stock Assessment: GIS Data Integration in Support of Sustainable Fisheries Management Gerry Sutton O.Tully, J. Hickey: BIM A. Hervas:TCD X. Monteys: GSI

2. HYDRO-04 Project Overview BIM-Main project 2002-2004 – (MBES surveying commenced in 2001) Main objectives: – To provide key info for fisheries development and management – Stock levels assessment – Physical and environmental controls on recruitment

3. HYDRO-04 Scallop Project –Main Elements Application of biological stock assessment models-sampling program (TCD/Kilmore Coop) Sedimentary characterisation and ID beds (CMRC) Fine resolution hydrodynamic model-tidal/larval circulation (MARCON)

4. HYDRO-04 Background to Mapping Programme Early US/Canadian programs based on water depth or commercial effort- crude sediment maps only Scallop preference for sand/gravel MBES surveys revealed sediment heterogeneity The work of Kostylev et al (2001) suggested: – strong influence of sediment type on scallop distribution – scallop abundance and fishing success can be predicted from multibeam backscatter data

5. HYDRO-04 Mapping program main elements High resolution mapping of seabed morphology and sedimentary facies in scallop grounds Determine and refine bs/stock density correlation Determine high abundance areas within known grounds Apply results in new areas

6. HYDRO-04 To date: MBES coverage-Bathy/BS complex heterogenous seabed characterised by small sand and gravel waves and elongate well organised dune-like bedforms Two dominant acoustic facies sediment types clearly visible Concept proved: confirmed sharp correlation between bs and stock density Other aspects are far advanced e.g: Final processing/analysisTowed video GT completed Bathymetric tidal reductionGIS Visualisation-Integration Granulometry completedDissemination

17. Sled mounted U/W video camera was towed across seabed to collect continuous imagery throughout 1km transects within a representative selection of sediment facies throughout study area. Video signals were encoded with DGPS allowing video image position to be accurately overlain and correlated with seabed facies maps

34. HYDRO-04 Conclusions EM 1002 data is more than adequate for bathy and habitat/biotope mapping-NB operator settings critical for BS not just sounding Near offshore Ireland tidal model needs to be resolved Strong MBES BS/Scallop relationship exists for this stock/area MBES BS predictive for fishing success High degree of heterogeneity in sediments both PS and rugosity- complex range of bedforms even in uniform area Sediment samples relatively poor GT alone High resolution video v.useful/required for GT Powerfull integration/visualisation tools required Seabed classification technology has arrived but NBB GT/Slopes/Operator Settings

35. HYDRO-04 Acknowledgments BIM-NDP Kilmore Fishermans Co-op-skippers/crews Marine Institute-All vessel ops team and crews, MI-Fisheries-Colm Lordan-UW video GSI-NSS team BlueGlen-Tim McCarthy CMRC-Volunteers!