Echosounder data archive

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U.S. West coast between San Diego, CA and Vancouver Island. Most of the data are from the Southern California Bight.

Raw echosounder files.

The Simrad EK60 Scientific Sounder system is a new generation fishery researchtool, based on experience from the EK500. The new electronic hardware is combined with up to date PC processing and Windows operation. The EK60 provides facilities for accurate echo sounding, data storage, data analysis and reporting results. The system communication is through Ethernet, which gives flexibility in the location of the EK60 system units and allows easy access to data from other instruments or stations on a vessel network. A post processing software, BI60, is also included in the EK60 system.

The fourth vessel of its kind, Bell M. Shimada offers fisheries scientists the ability to monitor fish populations without altering their behavior, allowing them to collect data with unprecedented accuracy. With better data, biologists and oceanographers can help managers make better management decisions. In the Pacific, Bell M. Shimada will help scientists gain valuable insight into the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem, a globally significant natural resource that stretches from Baja California to British Columbia. Two scientists at the Center recently described some of the way in which this vessel will enhance existing or open opportunities for new research projects.

The David Starr Jordan was designed and built for the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, which later became part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for the purpose of fisheries research in the tropical Pacific. The David Starr Jordan logged over a million miles while studying the biological and physical oceanography of the southwestern U.S. coast and the eastern tropical Pacific. David Starr Jordan was an integral part of the marine mammal surveys conducted by the Protected Resources Division of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service's Southwest Fisheries Science Center until her decommissioning on August 3rd, 2010.

The Miller Freeman was decommissioned on 3/29/13 after many years of exemplary service. Pictures of the ceremony will be posted here when available - please check back soon. Miller Freeman was a 215-foot fisheries and oceanographic research vessel and was one of the largest research trawlers in the United States. Miller Freeman's primary mission was to provide a working platform for the study of the ocean's living resources. The ship was named for Miller Freeman (1875-1955), a publisher who was actively involved in the international management of fish harvests. The ship was launched in 1967, but not fully rigged until 1975. The vessel was again re-rigged in 1982. Miller Freeman was homeported at the Marine Operations Center-Pacific in Newport, Oregon. With a 12,578 mile / 31 day endurance, Miller Freeman was capable of operating in any waters of the world. Miller Freeman was owned by the United States of America, Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ship was operated by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations and carried a complement of 7 NOAA Corps officers, 27 crew members, and maximum of 11 scientists.

Funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and built by Marinette Marine Corporation in Wisconsin, the ship's primary objective is to support fish, marine mammal, and turtle surveys off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The ship has a low sound signature to reduce reactions of fish to the presence of the ship and provides for a low signal-to-noise ratio for acoustic sensors. This allows scientists to study fish populations and collect oceanographic data with fewer effects on fish and marine mammal behavior. The multi-frequency scientific sonars provide the ability to conduct acoustic surveys that can distinguish fish types, estimate biomass, determine fish school shapes, and provide data on sea floor topography. Reuben Lasker is also equipped with oceanographic sampling and measurement systems, instrumented trawls, longlines, and plankton nets for direct sampling. The ship has a dynamic positioning system to steer along a pre-determined trackline and to accurately hold the ship in a fixed position. The ship is also equipped with meteorological data collection systems and has extensive wet and dry labs to provide maximum utilization of every hour at sea. These technologies will dramatically improve the ability to conduct diverse data collection operations as required by its mission. The ship is named after Dr. Reuben Lasker (1929-1988), who served as the Director of SWFSC's Coastal Fisheries Division and as adjunct professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U.C. San Diego. Dr. Lasker built a renowned research group that focused on the recruitment of young fish to the adult population - a topic with implications for fisheries management throughout the world.