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The system was tested using the ADF&G research vessel Pandalus in June 2006 and again in June 2007 using a new and improved sled. During these cruises, 1.1 million images were captured over a track 550 km long at depths of 40-140 meters. Performance of the GE1380C was excellent; the 1360x1024 pixel sensor provided resolution greater than 1 pixel/mm on the bottom, which enabled identification of objects smaller than 50mm in most water conditions. ADF&G researchers are excited by prospects for cutting-edge science using this new tool. Although the sled system was developed for scallop stock assessment surveys, it appears to be useful for other fishery research applications such as fine-scale habitat mapping, ground-truthing of acoustic data, benthic ecology research, and fishing gear effects studies. For more information, visit www.prosilica.com or www.adfg.state.ak.us.

References

1. Source: Alaska Economic Performance Report 2006, the State of Alaska
2. Habitat Mapping Camera System, see http://habcam.whoi.edu/
3. Rosenkranz, G.E., et al., Development of a high-speed, megapixel benthic imaging system for coastal fisheries research in Alaska, Fish. Res. (2008), doi:10.1016/j. fishres.2008.03.014