Acoustic target classification

Data are collected from a variety of acoustic systems in many countries to address a range of ecosystem monitoring and stock management objectives. A key step in the analysis of fisheries acoustics data is target classification, i.e. categorizing the backscatter data, ultimately by target species, so that it can be converted into estimates of abundance or biomass. The information needed to classify acoustic targets may be contained within the acoustic measurements, particularly if they are made over a range of frequencies.