AFSC/RACE/MACE: Results of 2012 acoustic trawl survey Shelikof DY1203

Scientists from the Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division routinely conduct acoustic-trawl (AT) stock assessment surveys in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) during late winter and early spring to estimate the distribution and abundance of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). This survey was conducted 17-27 March (cruise DY2012-03) along the shelf break east of Chirikof Island and throughout the Shelikof Strait sea valley. The survey was conducted aboard the NOAA ship Oscar Dyson, a 64-m stern trawler equipped for fisheries and oceanographic research. Surveys followed established AT methods as specified in NOAA protocols for fisheries acoustics surveys and related sampling.