Testing of new sampling methods and estimation of size structure of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in aquaculture farms using horizontal hydroacoustics

In aquaculture, monitoring fish size and density is fundamental to improve management profitability of farms. The aim this study test whether horizontally aimed 200-kHz transducers are adequate obtain structure in open-sea cages order apply horizontal hydroacoustics as a non-intrusive innovative technique sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farming. Several sampling strategies have been tested by placing the transducer two different positions: outside cage inside cage. addition, approaches implemented: at fixed position or moving it vertically. results show that useful for distribution farming cages. most method consists using vertically positioned cage, since exhibits narrowest distributions with lowest variance estimates, which matches data provided farmers.