Imaging sonar has become a primary tool for agencies and fisheries managers in stock assessment and escapement monitoring of salmonid populations.
Imaging sonar is currently used to enumerate up-migrating salmonids in unregulated rivers throughout Alaska, British Columbia and California. In a multi-year collaborative study with Aquacoustics Inc., Biosonics, Inc., and the California Department of Fish and Game we used several methods including DIDSON to estimate the number of up-migrant spring Chinook salmon in Mill Creek, CA. The outcome from this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funded project provided results to agencies to allow for better informed management decisions regarding this ESA listed stock of Chinook salmon.
Mill Creek sample site during clear and turbid conditions:
Spring Chinook migrating up Mill Creek:
Send us a note if you have interest in developing an escapement project or would like to discuss conducting a feasibility study using imaging sonar.