Hydroacoustics

Develop Sensor Packages     Field Support and Data Collection   
Data Analytics Processing     Brochure

Hydroacoustics


We specialize in studying aquatic systems using hydroacoustics - a term used to define the study of biological and physical phenomena in the underwater environment using sonar devices, also known as echosounders. Our work combines the interconnected fields of physics, biology, oceanography, fisheries, signal processing, and marine resource management. Hydroacoustics is typically applied , but not limited to:

Biological organisms including

  • Fish including pelagic and demersal species like herring, sardines, salmon, and lanternfish, cods, etc
  • Plankton including ichthyplankton, copepods, jellyfish, algal blooms

    • Physical phenomena including

  • Waves and currents
  • Flow measurements
  • Ice thickness and draft
  • Suspended sediments

    • As a turn-key solution to your hydroacoustic needs, we can aid you in developing sensor packages, designing and implementing your data collection, and processing your data for scientific discovery, environmental impact and regulatory reporting, or data archiving.

    file:///D:/Websites/ASL_WEBSITES/assets/images/871-2014-s-500x332.jpg

    Develop Sensor Packages

    ASL has developed a family of advanced acoustic instruments and products for aquatic environments. For example, ASL has developed the Acoustic Fish and Zooplankton Profiler (AZFP), which offers up to four frequencies (see brochure) to obtain calibrated measurements of the water column along with the option to detect ice thickness. We manage Canada's largest lease pool of oceanographic instruments, and can design sensor packages for purchase or lease including sensors for T, S, Turbidity, Chlorophyll, pH, etc. Working with the expertise of our engineering department, we can help design and build the platform you need. 

    We also offer custom mooring designs whether it be a single or complex suite of instruments configured as bottom frames or taut-line moorings.

    Field Support and Data Collection

    ASL designs and implements field data collection programs with client and site needs in mind and has extensive field deployment and recovery experience that draws upon 45+ years in aquatic settings all around the world.  These settings include rivers, estuaries, coastal shelves, and deep ocean ecosystems and work with a range of data collection platforms including ship-based studies, autonomous vehicles, oceanographic moorings, and energy installations. Our field team has experience managing field logistics, deployment and recovery, and problem-solving in remote environments. We can help you design your study, whether looking at fine scale organismal behavior or larger scale long-term oceanographic monitoring studies. 

    Some examples
    Automating the Acoustic Detection and Characterization of Sea Ice and Surface Waves 
    Bioacoustic Monitoring of Arctic Cod and Zooplankton in the Canadian Beaufort Sea
    Glider-Based Estimates of Meso-Zooplankton Biomass Density: A Fisheries Case Study on Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Around the Northern Antarctic Peninsula

    Mud Study

    Mud Study

    Data Analytics

    ASL uses a wide range of hydroacoustic instrumentation and software platforms for analyses and build customized statistical analyses to meet the requirements of your research objectives.

    ASL has experience with a number of instruments including Simrad products (EK60, EK80, WBAT), Teledyne (Gliders), Nortek (ADCPs) and ASL's AZFP etc.

    ASL works with several softwares including Echoview and customized workflows using R, Matlab and Python. We strive to incorporate the latest and fastest tools, developing and implementing deep learning into our pipelines. We are happy to work with our clients to come up with an ideal solution.

    Our data and analytical reporting can include
    oceanographic analyses (temperature, salinity, ice cover, suspended sediment, satellite imagery) and additional support from our biological oceanography team to contextualize your results and address key scientific questions.

    ASL Environmental Sciences #1-6703 Rajpur Place V8M 1Z5 Saanichton, BC
    Canada

    Phone: +1 250-656-0177
    Email: [email protected]
    Website:www.aslenv.com