What Can Technology Offer the Future Fisheries Scientist – Possibilities for Obtaining Better Estimates of Stock Abundance by Direct Observations

The need for quality data from fisheries abundance surveys for the rational management of the world's major fisheries resources has been steadily increasing. The limitation of fish resources and the heavy exploitation pressure put on these resources have forced the industry to change and adjust strategy accordingly and to develop new and more efficient fishing gears and fish finding instruments. Earlier, the assessment and management was based on models which utilized data primarily from the fishing fleet. However, the lack of continuity and stability caused by the continuously changing fishing techniques, creates uncertainty for the management decisions based on catch data.