Combining Acoustic and Trawl Data for Estimating Fish Abundance (CATEFA)

The primary aim of CATEFA (Combining Acoustic and Trawl Data for Estimating Fish Abundance) is to develop and apply appropriate methodologies for the use of both acoustic and trawl data from bottom trawl surveys. The project involves a number of participants from the UK, France, and Norway.

Specifically, the project has four main objectives; to determine the relationships between acoustic and trawl data, to develop mathematical models to calculate combined stock abundance indices, to test the performance of these indices within the stock assessment process, and to provide advice on improved survey designs which allow optimum collection of both types of data.

The integration of acoustic methods with trawl surveys will allow more accurate distribution maps to be developed than is possible with the trawl data alone. This will greatly improve assessments of the distribution and geographical limits of the fish stocks. The results will provide invaluable information to fisheries managers, at little extra cost.