PLANNING GROUP FOR PELAGIC ACOUSTIC SURVEYS IN ICES SUB-AREAS VIII AND IX (PGPAS)

a) analyse the results of the 1998 acoustic surveys, especially those relating to species communities andassemblages;b) assess the quality of the information coming from the trawl hauls performed during the acoustic surveys in orderto improve the estimation of abundance;c) assess what improvements in survey design and data analysis would improve the understanding of the coastalpelagic ecosystem;d) co-ordinate the acoustic survey activities planned for 1999;e) examine the feasibility of exchanging acoustic data;f) obtain peer review of the Planning Group Report from the appropriate assessment working group prior to the1999 Annual Science Conference;g) comment on the draft objectives and activities in the Living Resources Committee component of the ICES Five-Year Strategic Plan and specify how the purpose of the Planning Group contributes to it.