The use of acoustic sampling to estimate the dispersion and abundance of euphausiids, with an emphasis on Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

Acoustic sampling has been used to investigate the ecology of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and to provide information on dispersion and abundance necessary to manage their harvest. Population estimates based on multi-ship acoustic surveys have been used to set catch limits. More localized acoustic surveys have been conducted to study the response of landbreeding krill predators to local variations in their food supply. These and future surveys may result in additional controls on the ®shery. In this context, the use of acoustics to survey euphausiids is reviewed and major sources of uncertainty are discussed. These issues are organized as they pertain to the two broad steps of acoustic surveys: (1) estimating the volumetric density of krill (measurement uncertainty) and (2) mapping krill distribution and estimating abundance (sampling uncertainty). Published by Elsevier Science B.V.