Linear Correlations Between In Situ Fish Spotter Data and Remote Sensing Products Off the West Coast of the United States.
Abstract
Our understanding between oceanographic properties and the location of fish schools are important to both the fishing industry and to naval oceanography. We explored by using climatological satellite estimates of the ocean properties for estimating fish abundances. Naval interests in fish distribution and abundance creates 'false targets' in active sonar systems because of low frequency volume reverberation. To understand how fish distribution is related to ocean properties, we regressed aerial fish spotter data for tuna, mackerel, sardine, and anchovy (weighted by effort) with hydrographic and remote sensing products (bathymetry, monthly surface chlorophyll, monthly surface temperature, seasonal mixed layer depth, and location of monthly chlorophyll and temperature fronts). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each species and each month in 1983 and 1986. Yearly regressions were also performed for the two years. The abundance of tuna, mackerel, sardine, and anchovy showed little or no correlation using the single parameter approach. However, the abundance of all four species are significantly correlated with the six ocean parameters using multiparameter approach for the monthly and yearly regressions for both years. We have developed a software tool to provide a visual aid in the species-specific prediction of areas where fish are most likely to concentrate. An image database of remote sensing products was created for the West Coast of the United States with a spatial resolution of 20 km. The flight area covered by the aerial fish surveys extended from Half Moon Bay in the north of Cedros Island in the south and offshore as far as Tanner and Cortez Banks. The majority of the flights were concentrated on the region off the southern California coast.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA309375
Entities
People
- Richard L. Crout
- Robert A. Arnone
- Sherwin D. Ladner
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory