Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering Program

The Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program conducts acoustic-trawl surveys to assess the distribution and abundance of walleye (Alaska) pollock and other fish/invertebrate species. These surveys are conducted in both winter and summer, and provide information to stock assessments, Ecosystem Status Reports (ESRs), and Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profiles (ESPs) for the Eastern Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Bogoslof Island Region. To support survey and research operations, MACE designs, builds, tests, and uses acoustic and optical technologies, uncrewed systems, data collection software, and innovative analytic methods. MACE also evaluates trawl gear performance, optical system performance, and validates acoustic technologies/methods in support of at-sea operations.