A consistent approach to definitions and symbols in fisheries acoustics

TLDR

Long‑standing problems with acoustical terminology in fisheries applications, especially echo‑integration, highlight the need for a more consistent approach, particularly in scattering phenomena where terminology is most problematic. The study proposes a scheme of explicitly named quantities, with clear definitions and preferred symbols, aiming to incorporate common practice in fisheries‑acoustics terminology and related fields. Using scattering equations for a small target, the authors define volume, area, and line coefficients for multiple, distributed targets, yielding practical formulas for remote biomass estimation from echo‑integration. The developed scheme has been commended by the ICES Fisheries Acoustics Science and Technology Working Group as a constructive approach to better communication standards in fisheries‑acoustics publications.

Abstract

Long-standing problems with acoustical terminology in fisheries applications such as echo-integration indicate the need for a more consistent approach. Based where possible on existing terms, a scheme of explicitly named quantities is proposed, backed by clearly stated definitions and preferred symbols. The emphasis is on scattering phenomena because the terminology in this area presents the main source of difficulty. Starting with the scattering equations for a small target, the volume, area, and line coefficients relevant to multiple, distributed targets are defined, leading to practical formulas for the important application of remote biomass estimation from echo-integration. The aim is to incorporate, as far as possible, common practice in fisheries-acoustics terminology and related fields. The developed scheme has been commended by the ICES Fisheries Acoustics Science and Technology Working Group as a constructive approach to better communication standards in fisheries-acoustics publications.