From Echosounders to the Cloud: Transforming Acoustic Data to Information
ICES Fisheries and Plankton Acoustics Symposium
27-30 March 2023 Portland, Maine, USA
Many institutions count their datasets in terabytes or time series in decades, and now monitor many facets of the ecosystem in addition to single-stock resource surveys. The fisheries and plankton acoustics community continues to develop and evaluate new acoustic instrumentation and package them with other sensors on crewed and remote/autonomous platforms to observe components of the ecosystem that until now have been too expensive or impossible to monitor. In response to this meteoric increase in data, the community has evolved to integrate multiple data streams to address ecosystem science using “big data” analytics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to form information used by resource managers and policymakers. This information provides for well-managed ecosystems that allow us to utilize the resources while allowing everyone to enjoy the ecosystem.
The aim of this symposium is to facilitate exchange among the spectrum of scientists and engineers who develop acoustic instrumentation, collect data, and transform those data to information critical for conserving fisheries and ecosystems.
2023 will mark the 50th anniversary since the first ICES sponsored Symposium on Fisheries Acoustics and Technology held in Bergen, Norway (1973) and this symposium will be the 8th in that illustrious history. Previous symposia were held in Bergen, Norway (1973, 1982, and 2008), in Seattle, USA (1987), in Aberdeen, Scotland (1995), in Montpellier, France (2002), and in Nante, France (2015).
Social Events
Opening Reception
Monday, 27 March
Holiday Inn, Portland, Maine, USA
1900 (7pm local time)
Symposium Banquet
Wednesday, 29 March
Holiday Inn, Portland, Maine, USA
1900 (7pm local time)
Travel & Venue
Venue
Holiday Inn By the Bay
Portland, Maine, USA
WGFAST Business Meeting
WGFAST will convene their “business” meeting on Friday, 31 March. This meeting is separate from the symposium and participation is not required as part of the symposium. A separate agenda will be arranged and distributed to those who register.
The meeting will be held at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in Portland, Maine.
This is an ICES sponsored event and we will follow ICES convention as it pertains to membership and participation in symposia. The war in Ukraine is still ongoing and ICES has placed a temporary suspension of participation by Russian colleagues in ICES sponsored events. This suspension applies to only those who are currently living in Russia and working in Russian institutes. Those nationals who are engaged in other countries are welcome to participate. Please contact the conveners with any questions.
Within ICES, we treat each other with respect. This means that when dealing with others, you are expected to:
• Embrace diversity – Value the different views, expertise, and backgrounds which strengthen the long-term success of ICES.
• Include equally – Ensure the right of others to equally participate in ICES activities with-out bias or discrimination based on gender, scientific discipline, family status, age, race, political or religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Communicate thoughtfully – Aim to communicate openly and address others with dignity.
• Avoid harassment – Use discretion and respect others. Harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Harassment includes unprofessional speech or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive. Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes un-acceptable behavior.
• Promote wellbeing – Follow and encourage others to uphold a safe and welcoming working environment. Be mindful of your surroundings and colleagues and immediately report any situations that are dangerous or distressing to others.
