SGCal first met in San Diego,
CA, USA, in April 2010 to review, summarize, and report on the literature regarding acoustic systems currently used in fisheries research and
surveys, theoretical principles of calibrating these instruments, and methods currently being practised.
The
group is now developing recommendations for methods to be used for acoustic system
calibrations such as commonly used acoustic systems
used in fisheries research and surveys, principles of calibration, both general and specific to these
selected systems, and standard protocols for
calibrating these systems (e.g. quantitative system characterizations through
to data collections and analyses).
The SGCal is preparing a report
for possible publication in the Cooperative Research Report (CRR) series. The
report will include a literature review of acoustic
systems commonly used in fisheries science, theoretical and practical principles of system calibrations of
generic and selected instruments, and recommended
protocols for calibrating generic and selected acoustic instruments used in
Fisheries Science.
SGCal is expected to exist for
three years and conclude with completion of an ICES Cooperative Research Report
(CRR), to update CRR 144, Foote et al., 1987. Currently, the schedule is: April 2010, review literature, outline CRR,
and identify principle authors; April 2011, review draft chapters; April 2013, review draft CRR; and September 2013, submit the final
SGCal report and CRR to SCICOM. SGCal will meet next on Saturday, 20 April 2013 in Pasaia,
Spain.
