Science Centres: Fisheries

Retrieving the NIWA CREST echo sounder from the Irish Sea

NIWA’s acoustics expertise is in demand at both ends of the Atlantic.

Earlier this year, NIWA scientist Richard O’Driscoll took part in the acoustics component of a four-week fisheries survey for mackerel, icefish, and toothfish around South Georgia in the South Atlantic. Richard did this at the invitation of the British Antarctic Survey.

Meanwhile, in the North Atlantic, Gavin Macaulay and Wilbert Knol from NIWA were helping the Irish Marine Institute conduct an acoustic survey of orange roughy. The NIWA CREST deep-tow echo sounder system was used from the Irish research vessel, Celtic Explorer, during the two-week voyage.

NIWA is fast becoming a major source of fisheries research advice for Ireland. The Irish Marine Institute is paying for one of our scientists, Ian Doonan, to spend the next 18 months there advising and training their staff and commercial partners in stock assessment, particularly for deepwater species.