EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During SE1306_BeforeCalib

Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish assemblages (SE1306_BeforeCalib, EK60). Optical, active acoustics, and research fishing data on bottomfish abundance and biomass were collected over predetermined grids to compare results of methodologies. Optical data were collected using a baited and unbaited stationary Botcam, a SeaBED AUV, and a Phantom ROV. Acoustics data were collected using a narrow-beam EK60 system operating at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies. Research fishing was conducted using hook-and-line on small boats. Simultaneous AUV and ROV with active acoustics were operated to obtain target strength measurements of fish with known species and sizes. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously with acoustics data collection to further groundtruth the acoustics data.