Hydroacoustic krill abundance monitoring

2000-present

Euphausiid crustaceans, commonly known as “krill”, represent a primary food resource for pelagic fish, seabirds and marine mammals in the California Current ecosystem. To understand dynamics in fisheries and marine wildlife populations, it is critical to obtain, analyze and share data on the distribution, abundance, and life history attributes of krill in this ecosystem. We have processed hydro-acoustic surveys across the entire California Current Ecosystem - from Port Angeles, Washington to San Diego, California.

We used the EchoView software to process echo-sounder data. A set of algorithms are used to distinguish krill from other signals. Processed Nautical Scattering Coefficient (NASC) values are integrated vertically from a depth of 400 m to 10 m below the surface.

Cruises were conducted between March and August from 2000 to the present.