Sidescan sonar as a tool for detection of demersal fish habitats
Sidescan sonar can be an effective tool for the determination of the habitat distribution of commercially important species. This technique has the advantage of rapidly mapping large areas of the seafloor. Sidescan images (sonographs) may also help to identify appropriate fishing gears for different types of seafloor or areas to be avoided with certain types of gears. During the early stages of exploration, verification of sidescan sonar sonographs is critical to successful identification of important habitats. Tilefishes ( Lopholatilus and Caulolatilus ) are especially good target species because the construct large burrows in the seafloor or live around boulders, both of which are easily detectable on sonographs. In some special circumstances the estimates of tilefish burrow densities from sonographs can be used to estimate standing stock. In many localities the burrow and boulder habitats of tilefish are shared with other commercially important species such as American lobsters, Homarus americanus ; cusk, Brosme brosme ; and ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus .