PhD Scholarship: Hydroacoustics in Aquaculture
University of Tasmania, Hobart
Echoview Software is pleased to support a second PhD position in collaboration with the Blue Economy CRC, this time as part of their Seafood & Marine Products program.
This PhD will investigate the potential for using acoustic sensing systems at offshore and land-based salmon aquaculture sites and macroalgae cultivation sites. The system(s) will collect data (e.g. images/video, hydroacoustic backscatter) over several deployments at salmon and macroalgal production sites. They will be evaluated for their ability to detect individual fish, macroalgae biomass, etc., and generate information for use in production estimates and monitoring in offshore aquaculture settings. Hydroacoustic systems to be tested include an imaging sonar and a scientific split-beam echosounder.
Imaging sonars are high-resolution multibeam echosounders that capture video-like data constructed from high-frequency sound rather than light. Individual fish that pass within the fan-shaped sampling volume can be measured and tracked as they swim, providing size and movement (behaviour) data. This type of data will likely be well-suited to measuring individual fish size, as well as assessing fish behaviour in relation to fish health and well-being.
In contrast to imaging sonars, scientifically-engineered and calibrated split-beam echosounders generate information using the acoustic response strength of features in the water column. This echosounder can quantitatively sample biomass throughout the entire water column (or net pen) in high resolution in time and space. This type of data will likely aid in understanding fish density (shoaling), vertical distribution in the net pens, and total biomass over time.
As part of our commitment, we are contributing to the stipend, offering training in acoustic data collection, processing, and analysis, and one of our Hydroacoustics Specialists will serve as the student’s industry advisor.
Further information
The closing date for expressions of interest is 1 February 2025
For further information, please visit the job webpage here.
