Soundings, BioSonics' Newsletter

Contents

• Welcome to the Autumn Issue of Soundings
  
• New Product Announcement: BioSonics MX Echosounder and Visual Habitat Software
  
• Webinar Series in Support of Visual Habitat Software
  
• Cornell, BioSonics, and Liquid Robotics Team Up and Turn Heads at Twin Cities AFS Meeting
  
• BioSonics Delivers Automated Monitoring System to Nuclear Plant
  
• User News: Questions About Asian Carp Fuel Hydroacoustic Research
  
• BioSonics Bulletin Board
  
• Recent Publications by BioSonics Users
  
• Calendar of Events
  
• GSA Pricing for Federal Users
  
• Contact Us/Newsletter Information

Welcome to Soundings, the BioSonics newsletter! 2012 has been an extremely busy year for us here at BioSonics, with lots of changes and exciting advancements. First of all, we are proud to unveil the brand new MX Echosounder - a revolutionary Aquatic Habitat Assessment system - and the accompanying Visual Habitat Software. In addition, we have been working side by side with Cornell University and Liquid Robotics, Inc.'s Engineering Center in Kamuela, Hawaii to produce a wave-propelled autonomous marine robot with a BioSonics DT-X scientific echosounder - an innovative new system called: The Wave Glider® DT-X SUB. Read more about these - and other BioSonics news items - in the following articles; then let us know what YOU have been up to during the 2012 field season!

Tim Acker, President and CEO
BioSonics, Inc.

Seattle, Washington - In May the MX Aquatic Habitat Echosounder System was released and the response to this unique new habitat assessment and mapping system has been strong, with immediate orders generated from around the World. "We sold out our first production units almost immediately with systems shipping to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, and the UK," stated Director of Sales and Marketing, Eric Munday. The MX System represents the first turn-key solution for mapping and quantitative assessment of submerged plants, substrate classification, and bathymetric surveying. The MX is a scientific single-beam echosounder housed in a rugged Pelican case with an integrated DGPS and molded storage for the transducer, cable, and fittings. The MX comes packaged with Visual Habitat software, a powerful new data analysis and visualization tool developed specifically for processing data collected with the MX echosounder.

Visual Habitat software was developed in tandem with the MX echosounder as a means to quickly generate easily interpreted results in a visually captivating display. Users of the software find they can instantly generate full-color maps displaying each transect plan as one of several data layers; bathymetry, plant coverage, plant canopy height, and substrate type. An integrated utility imports background satellite photo imagery with one click, over which habitat information is superimposed. Data can be processed and exported to maps within minutes of collection, all with very little training. User-selectable color gradients allow for clear identification of substrate types (such as rock, mud, sand) as well as plant density and height. The output is a stunning visual representation of results that can be immediately interpreted and quickly communicated.

Links:
[BioSonics: MX Aquatic Habitat Echosounder System]
[BioSonics: Visual Habitat]

Seattle, WA - BioSonics recently launched a series of instructional Webinars available online. Each 45-minute session provides interactive training on hydroacoustic data collection or processing methods. Attendees can access the video and audio portion of the Webinar from their own desktop simply by clicking a link contained in an email invitation.

The first session held August 14th was titled An Introduction to Visual Habitat: A Revolutionary New Aquatic Habitat Assessment and Mapping System. This first Webinar was a huge success with a capacity audience. More sessions will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for your email notice and invitation to take advantage of this convenient and valuable educational opportunity.

Contact us now to request a custom Webinar session for your team!

Links:
[BioSonics: Contact Us]
[BioSonics: Visual Habitat Software]

Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN - Visitors to the American Fisheries Society (AFS) annual meeting in Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN were treated to a sneak peak of the Wave Glider DTX-SUB, a device that may represent the future of scientific hydroacoustic fisheries data collection.

The Wave Glider® DT-X SUB is a hybrid machine combining a Liquid Robotics Inc. (LRI) Wave Glider, a wave-propelled autonomous marine robot with a BioSonics DT-X scientific echosounder housed in a purpose-built, missile-shaped tow vehicle. The futuristic appearance of this rocket- shaped tow vehicle reflects the state-of-the-art instrumentation contained within the bright yellow fuselage. Unveiled at the AFS Meeting Trade Show, the Wave Glider DT-X SUB routinely stopped curious passers-by in their tracks who could not help but ask: "What is THAT?"

The LRI Wave Glider is a new class of persistent ocean vehicle able to harvest the energy in ocean waves to provide essentially limitless propulsion. The Wave Glider has been designed to withstand large open-ocean waves and strong winds with its low-profile surface float, high-strength tether and robust submerged glider.

The DT-X SUB is a programmable, autonomous echosounder in a submersible housing engineered for deployments in seafloor observatories, UUVs, and other applications where a cable to the surface is not practical. Data are logged within the DT-X SUB and downloaded after vehicle recovery. The high-resolution data can be analyzed for information on bathymetry, fish biomass, marine mammals, mixing layers, and other variables. The DT-X SUB echosounder features programmable duty cycling to reduce power consumption by up to 90% and dramatically extend battery life and operation time.

The inspiration for this autonomous self-powered fisheries echosounder originated with Charles Greene at Cornell University. Professor Greene realized that rising costs of ship time will inevitably lead to reduced fisheries survey efforts and thus compromise their value to fisheries managers. Greene envisioned a means of data collection in a wider range of weather conditions and using fewer man hours than typical shipboard acoustic surveys while operating at a greatly reduced cost. "This is a game changer. The Wave Glider gives us the means for continuous acoustic monitoring of fish and micronekton populations, at a fraction of the operational costs of shipboard surveys," stated Professor Greene.

Extensive tests have proven the Wave Glider DT-X SUB as an effective tool for collecting high-quality acoustic data for studying patterns in the distribution and migration of marine organisms. The system's compliant tow cable effectively maintains the echosounder vehicle in a horizontal orientation making it an ideal platform for the collection of high-quality acoustic data over extended periods of time.

Contact us to request a copy of the White Paper documenting the Wave Glider DT-X SUB testing in Hawaii.

Links:
[BioSonics: DT-X SUB Spec Sheet (pdf)]
[Liquid Robotics, Inc.: Website]
[AFS 2012: Annual Meeting]

Earlier this year, a BioSonics Automated Monitoring System was delivered to a major European electric utility for use at a nuclear power plant facility. Fed by nearby rivers, the intake channels can become choked with mats of plant debris during storm or high wind events. Utility managers sought a means to detect plant matter and other debris before the material could enter cooling water intake channels.

The hardware components consist of a rack-mounted computer and echosounder, each housed in a rugged travel case, and a split-beam transducer mounted on a mechanical dual-axis rotator. This hardware configuration, combined with BioSonics unique "Auto-Track" software, allows the system to cumulatively track the total volume of material passing by and send an alert when a threshold is exceeded. Threshold settings are user-defined and can be adjusted to alert for multiple small targets or single large targets entering the perimeter.

The end goal is a 'red-light / green-light' solution providing plant operators with early warning capabilities to avoid clogged screens and costly shutdowns due to reduced flow and overheating.

The implications of this pilot project are significant as explained by BioSonics President, Tim Acker: "If this system can help prevent a single unplanned shutdown event, the ROI for the client is huge and the system will have paid for itself many, many times over."

Contact Us today for details on how BioSonics Automated Monitoring technology could work for your project or application.

Links:
[BioSonics: Automated Monitoring Systems]

QUESTIONS ABOUT ASIAN CARP FUEL HYDROACOUSTIC RESEARCH

Morris, IL - Continued concerns around the advancement of invasive silver and bighead Asian Carp up the Mississippi River towards the Great Lakes have generated new hydroacoustic research projects. Despite multiple electric barriers and other deterrent efforts, there remain many questions around how far and how many Asian carp may have entered the Great Lakes system. The aggressive carp are well known to out-compete native fish species and take over local ecosystems where they can comprise over 90% of the biomass. The Asian carp thereby represent a significant threat to the Great Lakes estimated $4+ billion annual fishery. To find some answers, several leading researchers have developed innovative methods for tracking, quantifying, and ultimately deterring Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes.

This summer near Morris, Illinois, former USGS Scientist, Dr. Jackson Gross conducted a series of net pen studies to evaluate the physiological and behavioral response of Asian carp to seismic water guns, a technology currently under consideration as a deterrent mechanism for the fish. For several weeks, Gross used a BioSonics split beam array to detect and quantify fish movement before and after repeated firing of the water guns. The highly anticipated results from the study, which also involved a telemetry system, are still pending while data processing and analysis are completed.

Post-doctorate fellow David Glover at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is making headlines as he continues to pioneer the use of split-beam hydroacoustic as a means to track the progress of the Asian carp. Dr. Glover's research involves the use multiple frequency BioSonics split-beam transducers mounted on mechanical rotator motors. He has conducted tethered fish studies to determine TS values of Asian carp collected with both horizontal and vertical looking transducers. Dr. Glovers work, utilizing BioSonics echosounders coupled with other sampling techniques, represents the most comprehensive estimate of a main-channel fish assemblage in history. Keep up the good work Dr. Glover!

Links:
[Seismic Technology to Deter Asian Carp: Article]
[Study Details Illinois Asian Carp Issue, Solutions: Article]

Limited Space Still Available in October Training Workshop
There is still time to register for our upcoming Hydroacoustic Assessment Workshop to be held October 22-24. Workshops are held at our company headquarters in Seattle, Washington. The course content includes a review of hydroacoustic theory as well as practical training and tips for echosounder operation, field calibration and transducer mounting. Combining lecture, demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and a mobile survey on Lake Washington, our workshops provide an overview of the latest techniques for hydroacoustic data collection and processing. Register now to secure your spot... We look forward to welcoming you in Seattle!

Do you "Like" BioSonics?
Our Facebook page is great way to stay in touch with BioSonics! Visit our FB page now and be sure to click the "Like" button to see the latest photos, news, and interesting hydroacoustic projects.

Join us at OCEANS 2012
BioSonics will showcase the latest in hydroacoustic technology at our display in the upcoming OCEANS conference this Oct 14-19 in Hampton Roads, VA. OCEANS 12 brings together the technology, people, and ideas that will help to expand the understanding of the earths largest natural resource. We hope to see you there - visit us at Booth #1228!

Welcome New BioSonics Team Members
Look how we have grown! Please join us in welcoming BioSonics newest employees:

• Jae-Byung "JB" Jung - Lead Electrical Engineer. JB has extensive experience in underwater system design and development of hydroacoustic sonar systems and autonomous/unmanned underwater vehicles. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. His technical expertise also includes robotics, signal/image processing, and software engineering.
  
• Biji Kobara - Regional Account Executive. Biji obtained a B.S. in Fisheries Science from The University of Washington went on to run several successful small businesses. He has extensive experience in consultative needs analysis and customer service.
  
• Les Mayhall - Manufacturing Supervisor. Les brings 23 years of experience including all aspects of inventory, manufacturing, production, procurement, safety and quality management.
  
• Dave Roy - Production Technician. Dave joins BioSonics with experience working as a CAD/Solid Modeling Draftsman, CNC Programmer, Toolmaker/Machinist and Industrial Control Technician.
  
• Peggy Austin - Staff Accountant. Peggy has over 25 years of experience in accounting including work in the Aerospace, Construction and Hospitality industries. Peggy is responsible for Accounts Payable, Payroll, State and Local Taxes, Banking, and General Ledger Accounts.
  
• Katy Acker - Operations Assistant. Katy joined BioSonics in 2012, and she brings an extensive background in customer service to this role. She assists the Manufacturing and Administration teams in day-to-day operations, and she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington.
  

Density-Dependent Growth in Juvenile Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka) Kim D. Hyatt, Donald J. McQueen, D. Paul Rankin, and Eric Demers

Abundance, spatial distribution, and diet of endangered Hovsgol grayling (Thymallus nigrescens) Tyler D. Ahrenstorff, Olaf P. Jensen, Brian C. Weidel, B. Mendsaikhan and Thomas R. Hrabik

Acoustic Target Strength measurements of a single fish: A case study of Crucian Carp Jingwen Zhang, Hongsheng Liu, Shouyu Zhang

Status and Trends of Pelagic Prey Fishes in Lake Huron, 2011 Jeffrey S. Schaeffer, Timothy P. OBrien, and Stephen Lenart

Substratum associations and depth distribution of benthic invertebrates in saline Walker Lake, Nevada, USA David B. Herbst, R. Bruce Medhurst, Scott W. Roberts and Robert Jellison


Browse other recent publications by BioSonics users!

The BioSonics Calendar of Events is live on our website!

Click the link below and bookmark our Calendar of Events page to keep up-to-date on all of the important hydro-related events. If you know of an upcoming event that is not featured on our list, please let us know!

Links:
[BioSonics Event Calendar]

BioSonics (Contract # GS-24F-0034M) has been a GSA contractor since 2002. GSA Advantage is the US government's central online shopping superstore. GSA Advantage provides qualified buyers with online access to millions of products and services from thousands of federal contractors. Using GSA Advantage ensures that you are getting GSA-negotiated prices, and dealing with GSA-approved sources.

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BioSonics, Inc., Leading the way in Advanced Scientific Digital Hydroacoustics, and providing the aquatic and marine resource community with scientific grade instrumentation and software, consulting, and support since 1978. BioSonics is the trusted name in hydroacoustics, known for the quality of our products and the depth of our client support.

BioSonics is ready to serve you by providing equipment, software, support, and consulting services for underwater assessment and monitoring. We continue to provide innovative products and services for research and management of the aquatic environment, based on sound science and input from our users.

We look forward to working with you on your next hydroacoustic application.

Published by:
BioSonics, Inc.
4027 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
U.S.A.
Tel: (206) 782-2211
FAX: (206) 782-2244

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Copyright 2012, BioSonics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.