Development of GIS using acoustic measurement methods for quick quantitative assessment of marine bioresources

本研究旨在利用地理信息系统（GIS）建立水生生物资源快速评价方法。我们测量中层鱼类和海草/海藻床，还没有调查，定量回声测深仪和声学测量仪器。利用分束回声测深仪对日本专属经济区海隆附近最重要的中层经济鱼类之一-金眼鲷（Beryx splendens）进行了定量研究。我们用多波束声纳和差分GPS绘制了海山精确的海底地形图。这些数据被纳入系统，可以快速评估定量鱼类分布和底部地形之间的关系，使用地理信息系统。我们还开发了一套系统，可以在便携式计算机显示器上真实的显示回声测深仪扫描的海底底质（包括海草）。所开发的软件处理来自回声测深仪和D-GPS的信号，并分类衬底定位与GPS船舶位置。我们对神奈川县三浦半岛三陆海岸的海草床和地中海的Posidonia床进行了实地调查。海的真理也在这些地区完成。在三陆海岸，我们研究了大叶藻的生态和生物量。此外，作为GIS在渔业科学和渔业海洋学中的应用研究，还对纳霍德卡溢油事故对潮间带生态系统的影响和海岸带管理进行了GIS分析。声学测量需要高度专业化的知识才能使用，并产生大量的数据。因此，声波测量已成为一种非常复杂的资源估算方法。声学调查是一项独立于渔业活动的渔业资源评估方法。我们的研究成功地开发了简单快速的评估方法，结合地理信息系统和声学调查数据。本研究旨在为其他生物多样性海洋生物资源的快速评价提供新的方法。

This study aimed to develop quick assessment methods of aquatic living resources using Geographical Information System (GIS). We measured mesopelagic fishes and seagrass/seaweed beds, which haven't investigated, with quantitative echosounders and acoustic measurement instruments. We quantified alfonsin (Beryx splendens), one of the most important mesopelagic commercial fish around seamounts in Japanese exclusive economic zone by using a split-beam echosounder. We mapped precise bottom topography of seamounts with multibeam sonar and differential-GPS. These data were incorporated into the system that can quickly assess the relation between quantitative fish distribution and bottom topography using GIS. We also developed the system that can show substrate including seagrass scanned by echosounder on the display of portable personal computer in real time. The developed software processes signals from the echosounder and D-GPS and classify substrate localizing ship position with GPS. We made field surveys on seagrass and seaweed beds in Sanriku Coast, in Miura Peninsula of Kanagawa Prefecture and Posidonia beds in Mediterranean Sea. Sea truth was also done in these areas. In Sanriku Coast, we studied ecology and biomass of Zostera caulescens. In addition, we made analysis with GIS on change in intertidal ecosystem polluted by Nakhodka oil spill accident and management of coastal area as studies using GIS applied to fisheries science and fisheries oceanography. Acoustic survey has needed highly specialized knowledge for use and produced large quantity of data. Therefore acoustic survey has been very complicated method to estimate resources. Acoustic survey is recommended to estimate fisheries resources because it is independent from the fisheries activity. Our study succeeded to develop easy quick assessment methods integrating GIS and acoustic survey data. We plane to develop another quick assessment methods for other marine bioresosauces with variety of life forms.