Acoustic surveys on the southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis).

Abstract

Two joint Argentine-British acoustic surveys specifically targeted on the southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) were carried out during September 1994 and 1995. The surveys confirmed the existence of a spawning concentration area located south from San Carlos Strait, in waters south of Malvinas Islands, ASW. The obtained point estimates of blue whiting abundance were 84801 t for the 1994 survey and 140953 t for the 1995 survey. The surveys also provided information on the school structure and behavior as well as some clues about the complex migration pattern of the species.