Our objectives are to: ▪ Conduct acoustic and trawl operations in daytime hours (i.e., between sunrise and sunset) to estimate the distribution and abundance of Pacific hake. ▪ Collect multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad EK60 scientific echosounders (18, 38, and 120 kHz) system in daytime hours. Collect broadband acoustic data with Simrad EK80 broadband echosounders operating at central frequencies of 70 and 200 kHz. Collectively, the acoustic data will be used to characterize the distributions and abundances of hake, myctophids, gelatinous zooplankton, and krill. The use of the EK80s will require temporary modification to the ship’s EK60 set-up (see section II.C.a.v). i.Collect acoustic data along pre-planned transects along the coast (hereafter “transects”). ▪ Conduct daytime trawling to classify observed backscatter layers to verify hake aggregations and obtain specimens for biological data (length, sex, maturity, age, ovaries, diet, genetics, etc.). We request to have at least two experienced fishing officers on board at all times for all five legs. i. Trawling operations will be the primary method for interpreting the acoustic data. We will sample midwater and near-bottom echosign using an Aleutian Wing Trawl 24/20 (AWT). Trawl gear performance will be monitored during sampling for depth, net opening, and other parameters on the AWT with a Simrad ITI Trawl Eye and a Simrad FS-70 third wire Netsounder. We will also deploy temperature-depth recorders on the trawls, which we will supply. ii. Record data from shipboard net mensuration gear to evaluate trawl performance. ▪ Conduct IVC Transects: Conduct an Inter-Vessel Calibration (IVC) between the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada and the Canadian’s charter vessel Nordic Pearl to compare acoustic and fishing results of Pacific hake. The IVC is critical to ensure consistent data quality of the ongoing Joint US-Canada Pacific Hake Integrated Acoustic Trawl Survey, as the Canadian vessel W.E. Ricker was decommissioned and the Nordic Pearl will be filling its place this Summer. ▪ Use a portable x-ray system (Appendices 5 and 6) to take radiographic images of fish swimbladders ▪ Optically verify the presence of non-hake scatterers during trawling using a video camera and light(s) attached to the upper panel of the midwater trawl approximately 10-20 meters forward of the codend. ▪ Conduct vertical ring net zooplankton tows at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 2, Table 2) during daytime operations on a subset of six transects total for the survey area. These data will be used to describe the summer distribution of zooplankton species. ▪ Conduct vertical casts with the ship’s CTD rosette, outfitted with (2) temperature sensors, (2) conductivity sensors, (2) dissolved oxygen sensors, (1) fluorometer, and (1) altimeter. These casts will be conducted at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 2, Table 3) primarily at night. These data will be used in combination with acoustic backscatter data, to describe the vertical and horizontal distributions of hake relative to oceanographic conditions. ▪ Optically sample the watercolumn zooplankton assemblage using a Video Plankton Recorder (VPR). The VPR will be mounted on the CTD rosette in the place of three Niskin bottles, and will be deployed on each CTD cast. The VPR’s data will be used to evaluate the instrument’s sampling effectiveness relative to vertical ring net zooplankton tows, and will also serve as a zooplankton sampler for those CTD casts not matched with vertical zooplankton tows. ▪ Conduct underway CTD (uCTD) casts at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 2, Table 4). These data will be used to supplement oceanographic information obtained from the CTD rosettes and will contribute to the description of hake distribution relative to ocean conditions ▪ Continuously collect Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data along transects. These

The primary goals of the survey are to characterize the winter distribution of hake, the hake aggregations, and the fish within those aggregations in order to support an evaluation of the feasibility of a future winter hake biomass survey. The project will use data from an integrated acoustic and trawl survey off the west coast of the U.S. from approximately south of San Diego, CA (latitude 31.6°N along the U.S. EEZ) to approximately Newport, OR (latitude 44.6°N). Our objectives are to: - Conduct 24-hour acoustic, trawl, oceanographic, and zooplankton operations. - Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad EK60 scientific echosounders (18, 38, and 120 kHz) system. Simrad EK80 broadband echosounders will operate at 70 and 200 kHz. Collectively, the acoustic data will be used to characterize the distribution of hake and describe hake aggregations. -- Collect acoustic data along pre-planned diagonal transects along the coast (hereafter “transects”). -- Collect acoustic data over hake aggregations, where the design will be determined based on the observed aggregation (hereafter “adaptive transects”). - Collect stationary acoustic data 1 hour before sunrise/sunset to 1 hour after sunrise/sunset to evaluate migration (vertical and/or horizontal) of hake aggregations. - Conduct daytime and nighttime trawling (Appendices 3 and 4) to verify hake aggregations and obtain specimens for biological data (length, sex, maturity, age, ovaries, diet, genetics, etc.). -- Multiple trawl samples may be taken on a single hake aggregation to evaluate heterogeneity in sex, maturity, etc. -- Record data from shipboard net mensuration gear to evaluate trawl performance - Use a portable x-ray system (Appendices 5 and 6) to take radiographic images of fish swimbladders - Optically verify the presence of non-hake scatterers during trawling using a video camera and light(s) attached to the upper panel of the midwater trawl approximately 20-30 meters forward of the codend. - Conduct vertical casts with the ship’s CTD rosette, outfitted with a dissolved oxygen sensor and Niskin bottles, at pre-planned stations along transects and/or at trawl locations (Appendix 2, Table 2, Table 4, and Table 5). These data will be used to describe the vertical and horizontal distributions of hake relative to oceanographic conditions. Niskin water collections will be filtered for evaluation of environmental DNA (eDNA). - Conduct underway CTD (uCTD) casts at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 2, Table 6). These data will be used to supplement oceanographic information obtained from the CTD rosettes and will be used to describe the distribution of hake relative to ocean conditions - Continuously collect Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data along transects. These data will be used to describe the distribution of spawning hake relative to currents. - Conduct vertical ring net zooplankton tows at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 1, Figure 1; stations are listed in Appendix 2, Table 2) and bongo net tows (Appendix 1, Figure 1; stations are listed in Appendix 2, Table 3). These data will be used to describe the winter distribution of zooplankton species. - Continuously sample sea-surface temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a using the ship’s thermosalinograph and fluorometer. These data will be used to estimate the physical oceanographic habitats for spawning hake. - Continuously sample air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction using the ship’s integrated weather station. - Collect broadband acoustic data with EK80 echosounders operating at central frequencies of 70 and 200 kHz. The use of the EK80s will require temporary modification to the ship’s EK60 set-up.

2013 Joint U.S.-Canada Integrated Acoustic and Trawl Survey of Pacific Hake and Pacific Sardine (SaKe 2015) (SH1507, EK60). The 2015 SaKe survey will span the west coasts of the U.S. and Canada from approximately lat 32.8°N (San Diego) to approximately lat 54.65°N (Dixon Entrance, Canada). Eastern and western extents will primarily range from the 20-m isobath or as close to shore as is safely navigable, to either the 1,500-m isobath or a point 35 nmi west of the inshore waypoint, whichever is farther offshore. The primary goal of the survey is to estimate the biomasses, distributions, and biological compositions of populations of Pacific hake and CPS using data from an integrated acoustic and trawl survey off the west coasts of the U.S. and Canada from approximately San Diego, California (lat 32°48.02’N) to the Dixon Entrance, Canada (lat 54°39.00’N). Besides Pacific sardine, the other CPS of interest for the SWFSC are those comprised in the Pacific Fisheries Management Council Fisheries Management Plan (PFMC, 2011) including: Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus), Jack Mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus). The NWFSC and SWFSC are interested in all species of euphausiids found within the U.S.’ West Coast EEZ. The current sampling resolution will probably not allow for a comprehensive assessment of all anchovy sub-populations. In particular, those residing in the Southern California Bight and off the Columbia River plume might require additional effort given their patchy distribution. SaKe 2015 will continue to monitor the populations of Ecosystem Component Species (ECS; PFMC, 2011), in particular Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii). Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad EK60 scientific echosounder system. These data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of hake and the CPS assemblage. Conduct daytime trawling to classify observed backscatter layers to species and size composition and to collect specimens of hake and other organisms. Conduct nighttime (i.e., between sunset and sunrise) surface trawling to collect specimens of coastal pelagic fishes (CPS) and other organisms. These data will be used to classify CPS backscatter to species and their size distributions. Nighttime sampling operations will conclude in time for the ship to resume running east-west acoustic transects by sunrise. Image fish using a portable X-radiograph machine for the purpose of target strength modeling and estimation. Collect a variety of other acoustic, biological, and oceanographic samples relevant to hake and CPS distributions. These data are vital for the surveys and assessments of hake and CPS. Continuously sample sea-surface temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a using the ship’s thermosalinograph and fluorometer. These data will be used to estimate the physical oceanographic habitats for each target species. Continuously sample air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction using the ship’s integrated weather station. Continuously sample pelagic fish eggs using the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES). The data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of spawning hake, and multiple CPS. Sample profiles of temperature and salinity using a combination of an underway conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) system during the day or a standard CTD system with water-sampling rosette and other instruments at nighttime stations, as time allows. Sample plankton using a Vertical Ring Net net at nighttime stations, as time allows. These data will be used to estimate the distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton and zooplankton species. Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad ME70 multibeam echosounder system, synchronized and configured to not interfere with the EK60s. Optically verify CPS backscatter while underway conducting acoustic transects,

Scientists from the Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring (FRAM) division at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) led the winter 2016 hake IAT survey aboard the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada, a 63.7-m (209-foot), acoustically quieted Fisheries Survey Vessel equipped for fisheries and oceanographic research. The survey was conducted between January 9 and February 9 (Table 1). The Shimada surveyed from 45.5°N to 31.3°N, beginning at Newport, Oregon, proceeding south to the U.S./Mexico border, and then heading north back to Newport (Figures 1 and 2). Pre-planned (“coarse”) zigzag transects were oriented east-west, with larger offshore diagonals connected via smaller nearshore diagonals. Offshore diagonals, spaced roughly 100 nmi apart at the inshore side, ranged from the 30-m isobath (or as close to shore as was safely navigable) to bottoms depths of roughly 3,500–4,500 m. Nearshore diagonals extended from the ≥30-m contour to roughly 2,000 m. If hake were detected at the offshore end of a transect, the vessel proceeded west to the end of the hake sign and then beyond for an additional 0.5 nmi to ensure that the end of the aggregation was located. When aggregations of spawning hake were detected along a pre-planned transect and confirmed by midwater trawling, adaptive transects, either parallel at a fine resolution (spaced either 0.5 or 1.0 nmi apart) or in a star pattern, were used to determine the spatial extent and size of the spawning aggregation(s). Additional acoustic data were collected to evaluate crepuscular migration (vertical and/or horizontal) of spawning hake aggregations by having the Shimada remain stationary one hour before sunrise to one hour after.

The primary goals of the survey are to characterize the winter distribution of hake, the hake aggregations, and the fish within those aggregations in order to support an evaluation of the feasibility of a future winter hake biomass survey. The project will use data from an integrated acoustic and trawl survey off the west coast of the U.S. from approximately south of San Diego, CA (latitude 31.6°N along the U.S. EEZ) to approximately Newport, OR (latitude 44.6°N). Our objectives are to: - Conduct 24-hour acoustic, trawl, oceanographic, and zooplankton operations. - Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad EK60 scientific echosounders (18, 38, and 120 kHz) system. Simrad EK80 broadband echosounders will operate at 70 and 200 kHz. Collectively, the acoustic data will be used to characterize the distribution of hake and describe hake aggregations. -- Collect acoustic data along pre-planned diagonal transects along the coast (hereafter “transects”). -- Collect acoustic data over hake aggregations, where the design will be determined based on the observed aggregation (hereafter “adaptive transects”). - Collect stationary acoustic data 1 hour before sunrise/sunset to 1 hour after sunrise/sunset to evaluate migration (vertical and/or horizontal) of hake aggregations. - Conduct daytime and nighttime trawling (Appendices 3 and 4) to verify hake aggregations and obtain specimens for biological data (length, sex, maturity, age, ovaries, diet, genetics, etc.). -- Multiple trawl samples may be taken on a single hake aggregation to evaluate heterogeneity in sex, maturity, etc. -- Record data from shipboard net mensuration gear to evaluate trawl performance - Use a portable x-ray system (Appendices 5 and 6) to take radiographic images of fish swimbladders - Optically verify the presence of non-hake scatterers during trawling using a video camera and light(s) attached to the upper panel of the midwater trawl approximately 20-30 meters forward of the codend. - Conduct vertical casts with the ship’s CTD rosette, outfitted with a dissolved oxygen sensor and Niskin bottles, at pre-planned stations along transects and/or at trawl locations (Appendix 2, Table 2, Table 4, and Table 5). These data will be used to describe the vertical and horizontal distributions of hake relative to oceanographic conditions. Niskin water collections will be filtered for evaluation of environmental DNA (eDNA). - Conduct underway CTD (uCTD) casts at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 2, Table 6). These data will be used to supplement oceanographic information obtained from the CTD rosettes and will be used to describe the distribution of hake relative to ocean conditions - Continuously collect Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data along transects. These data will be used to describe the distribution of spawning hake relative to currents. - Conduct vertical ring net zooplankton tows at pre-planned stations along transects (Appendix 1, Figure 1; stations are listed in Appendix 2, Table 2) and bongo net tows (Appendix 1, Figure 1; stations are listed in Appendix 2, Table 3). These data will be used to describe the winter distribution of zooplankton species. - Continuously sample sea-surface temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a using the ship’s thermosalinograph and fluorometer. These data will be used to estimate the physical oceanographic habitats for spawning hake. - Continuously sample air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction using the ship’s integrated weather station. - Collect broadband acoustic data with EK80 echosounders operating at central frequencies of 70 and 200 kHz. The use of the EK80s will require temporary modification to the ship’s EK60 set-up.

1. Use paired midwater trawls to evaluate potential selectivity of Pacific hake age/size classes by different codend liners (Standard AWT 32 mm versus 7 mm used by DFO on their Cantrawl) in the Aleutian wing trawl 24/20 (AWT). Midwater trawling for this research will take place on all three survey legs. 2. Use paired trawls to evaluate performance of net with and without the marine mammal excluder installed. 3. Test a larger kite on the AWT for stability and ease of use with headrope sensors. 4. Continuously sample multi-frequency acoustic backscatter data using the ship’s Simrad EK60, EK80, and ME70 scientific echo sounder systems to estimate the distributions and abundances of hake, myctophids, gelatinous zooplankton, and krill. 5. Conduct research using the EK80 to distinguish between hake, myctophids, and rockfish. Compare EK80 backscatter signature with that of the EK60. 6. Optically observe fish behavior inside daytime trawls using a video or stereo camera and lights mounted inside the net. Test stereo camera system for quantifying fish species and length. 7. Collect a variety of other acoustic, biological, and oceanographic samples to characterize the biotic and abiotic environments and predator-prey interactions of the surveyed species. 8. Investigate near-field calibration techniques. 9. Use night operations time to conduct hydrographic measurements with a CTD. A NWFSC dissolved O2 sensor will also be mounted on the CTD. 10. Sample profiles of temperature and salinity using an underway conductivitytemperature-depth (CTD) system during daytime operations. 11. Continuously sample air temperature, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction using the ship’s integrated weather station.

2013-2014 California Current Ecosystem (CCE14): Acoustic-Trawl Survey of Coastal Pelagic Fishes (Legs I and II); and Investigations of hake survey methods, life history, and associated ecosystem (Legs III and IV) (SH1405, EK60). The 2014 acoustic-trawl method (ATM) project aboard Bell M. Shimada represents a joint effort between the SWFSC and the NWFSC in investigating elements of the California Current Ecosystem (CCE). The primary goal is to use the ATM to estimate the biomasses, distributions, and biological compositions of the northern sub-population of sardine, other CPS (e.g., mackerels, anchovy, herring, and smelts), hake, krill, and gelatinous zooplankton within the survey region. The adaptive sampling may span the northern sub-population of sardine, probably between Cape Flattery to Point Conception, but potentially from the northern end of Vancouver Island, Canada to the U.S.-Mexican border, as safely navigable in the east, and to the western extent of CPS and hake backscatter in the west. The seconary goal is to investigate the methods that will improve the accuracy and efficiency of the Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE). The overall 2014 effort, hereafter referred to as CCE14, consists of five project legs: Legs I and II: A SWFSC-led survey of coastal pelagic fishes (CPS), demersal fishes, zooplankton, and their oceanographic habitats within the California Current Ecosystem will be conducted during Leg I and Leg II (24 June to 24 August). This ATM survey will assess biomasses, distributions, and biological compositions of multiple species and trophic levels within the adaptively sampled region spanning the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). During Leg II, as time permits (at the discretion of the Chief Scientist), the NWFSC will sample age-1 hake and characterize the western extent of adult hake. Legs III and IV: NWFSC-led investigations of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) and joint survey methods, life history, and associated ecosystem components (trophic structure and oceanography) will be conducted during CCE14 Leg III and Leg IV (28 August to 14 September). The data included here are only those collected during Legs III and IV by NWFSC.

2011 Spring CalCOFI Survey. The California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) are a unique partnership of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries Service and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The organization was formed in 1949 to study the ecological aspects of the sardine population collapse off California. Today our focus has shifted to the study of the marine environment off the coast of California, the management of its living resources, and monitoring the indicators of El Nino and climate change. CalCOFI conducts quarterly cruises off southern and central California, collecting a suite of hydrographic and biological data on station and underway. Data collected at depths down to 500 meters include: temperature, salinity, oxygen, phosphate, silicate, nitrate and nitrite, chlorophyll, transmissometer, PAR, C14 primary productivity, phytoplankton biodiversity, zooplankton biomass, and zooplankton biodiversity.

2011 California Current Ecosystem Survey. Split-beam echosounder data were collected at four-frequencies (38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz on Frosti; and 18, 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz on Shimada), throughout the Spring 2011 CCE survey. On Shimada, the EK60-trigger pulse from the 38, 120, and 200 kHz EK60s was used to synchronize the transmissions of the three echosounders with the 18 and 70 kHz EK60s and the RDI 75-kHz Ocean Surveyor ADCP. Except for these acoustic systems, all other echosounders, speed logs, and sonars operating at or near the survey frequencies were secured during survey operations. Exceptions were made during stations when the Doppler velocity log was operated, and in shallow regions when bridge echosounders (50 and 200-kHz Furuno) were operated. The ME70 was set as slave triggered by the EK60 pulse, with a delay of 340 ms. On Shimada, 1024-µs pulses of the 38, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies were transmitted simultaneously with a one second ping interval to a depth of 250 m. The 18 and 70 kHz echosounders EK60s were configured to record to 1000 m, which required a longer ping interval. The 18 and 70 kHz GPTs were triggered by the 120 kHz GPT, but the operating range resulted in a ping interval of two seconds for these two frequencies. The ME70 was operated using the configuration ‘Beams27_BW10deg_Grp3_Overlap3_Sector100deg_Ref0’ designed by SWFSC. The exception being on 22 Apr, for 20 min. during station work in shallow water (83.3-40.6) when the ME70 was operated using the configuration ‘Grc0525_x3_pulse1536’ with 25 beams spanning 160°. Raw ME70 data were stored to files with the prefixes ‘ME1104SH’ and ‘CONFIGTEST’ for the ‘Beams27…’ and ‘Grc0525_x3…’ configurations. The operational range and recording range were 250 m, and transmission interval was 1 s. Differential-corrected position data for the ME70 were supplied by the MX Marine MX420 GPS, heading data were from the ship’s gyro, and motion data were from the POS-MV. The transducer offsets were set to distances between transducer and POS-MV IMU (0.60, -0.72, 1.08 m in x, y, and z directions). The ME70 GPS offset values were set to zero for all. These zero offset values appear to correspond to the POS-MV antennas and therefore POS-MV position, but not to the MX420 position. Hence it appears necessary to apply 17.250 and 1.00 m alongship and athwartship offset values to the ME70 position data to accurately place the samples.

2013 Joint U.S.-Canada Integrated Acoustic and Trawl Survey of Pacific Hake and Pacific Sardine (SaKe 2013) (SH1305, EK60). Scientists from the Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring (FRAM) division at the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), the Fishery Resources Division (FRD) at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), and the Pacific region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducted the 2013 Integrated Acoustic Survey (IAT) survey aboard the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) W.E. Ricker. Both vessels are stern trawlers equipped for fisheries and oceanographic research. The Shimada surveyed from 32.8°N to 51.1°N between June 9 and August 25, and the Ricker surveyed from 51.4°N to 54.7°N between August 22 and September 11. Hake aggregations were targeted along the continental shelf and upper slope of the entire survey area; sardine aggregations were targeted only as far north as the northwest end of Vancouver Island. The portion of the survey conducted with the Bell M. Shimada focuses on both Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) and Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), a Joint U.S.-Canada Integrated Acoustic and Trawl Survey of Pacific Hake and Pacific Sardine (SaKe 2013) covered the area from the Southern California Bight (SCB), CA to north end of the Vancouver Island, Canada. The data include here are those collected on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada only, i.e. Sake 2013 data only. The survey began in the SCB, proceeded north toward Dixon Entrance, and finished along the west side of Haida Gwaii (formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands). In the SCB, nine parallel line transects (spaced roughly 20 nmi apart and oriented northeast-southwest) spanned from San Diego to Point Conception. Approximately 30 nmi north of Point Conception, acoustic transects assumed an east-west orientation, were spaced 10 nmi apart, and ranged from the 30-m isobath (or as close to shore as was safely navigable) to either the 1,500-m isobath or a location 35 nmi west of the inshore waypoint, whichever was farther offshore. (Transects north of Vancouver Island went inshore to the 50-m isobath or as close to shore as was safely navigable.) Transects in Dixon Entrance had a northsouth orientation. A few transects along the west coast of Haida Gwaii were run as modified zigzags due to time constraints. The Shimada was tasked with completing transects up to the north end of Vancouver Island, at which point the Ricker would complete the remainder. All transects were traversed sequentially, usually in alternating directions. When hake were detected at the offshore end of a transect, the vessel proceeded west to the end of the hake sign and then beyond for an additional 0.5 nmi to ensure that the end of the aggregation was located. This protocol was in place to ensure that the interpolation algorithm calculated the correct biomass at the offshore ends of transects.