Ex situ and in situ target strength measurements of European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay

Abstract

This study measures the dorsal aspect target strength (TS; dB re 1m(2)) and TS-length (standard length, SL; cm) relationships for European anchovy, attained both ex situ and in situ in two different seasons across 7 years in the Bay of Biscay. The measurements were made at three frequently used acoustic frequencies (38, 120, and 200 kHz). A backscattering model for physostome fish was utilized to help interpret the results. The obtained experimental mean TS for anchovies with an SL of 3.5-19.5 cm was -44.6 (+/- 2.3), -46.9 (63), and -48.4 (+/- 2.7) dB at 38, 120, and 200 kHz, respectively, yielding b(20) values of -66.4, -68.7, and -70.4 dB, respectively. The results were consistent across seasons and between in situ and ex situ conditions, presenting TS-length relationships with statistically significant slopes (p-values <0.05) for all frequencies. This research represents part of a series of efforts planned to obtain a comprehensive TS vs. length and depth relationship to update the acoustic assessment methodology of European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay.