The history of ICES fisheries and plankton acoustics symposia dates back to 1973, with each event marking key advancements in the development of acoustic technologies for marine research. These symposia have served as milestones in the progress of fisheries and plankton acoustics, demonstrating how innovations such as echosounders have revolutionized ecosystem monitoring.
According to J. Michael Jech, one of the symposium’s main conveners and lead author of the introductory article, “AI brings new opportunities to process and analyze the massive datasets collected over decades, opening doors for collaboration between fisheries scientists and data/computer scientists.” He emphasizes that AI will become part of the standard curriculum for future fisheries scientists, highlighting how essential it is to maximize the value of historical data that spans 20 to 50 years.
The 2023 symposium marked a shift in focus from technology development to using these tools for broader scientific applications. With AI and ML now playing a prominent role in data analysis, the potential for fisheries acoustics is expanding beyond single-species stock assessments.
A new era of data integration
A key theme of the symposium was the challenge posed by the size and complexity of modern datasets. As institutions continue to gather terabytes of data, the integration of these datasets is crucial for generating meaningful insights. By leveraging big data analytics, the acoustic research community is now applying AI techniques to process and interpret data at unprecedented scales.
This trend was especially evident in the symposium, where 16 presentations and posters incorporated AI tools, marking a substantial increase compared to previous symposia. Jech highlights the importance of this shift, explaining that “fisheries acoustics data were historically collected for single-species stock assessments, but acoustical data are agnostic to the types of organisms detected.” This versatility means that acoustic datasets can now be used to explore a wider range of marine species and ecosystems. The ability to analyze such vast amounts of data is crucial as the mission of collecting and analyzing acoustic data evolves to include global-scale estimates of biomass and assessments of climate change impacts.
Broadening the scope: Ecosystem science and societal needs
Acoustic data, once primarily used for stock assessments, now supports a broad range of disciplines, including physical oceanography, biogeochemistry, and marine conservation. The symposium emphasized the importance of transforming data into actionable information for use by resource managers and policymakers.
One of the most pressing challenges highlighted by Jech is integrating various data sources, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and optical systems, with acoustic methods. The disparities in spatial and temporal resolutions between these technologies make integration complex. However, Jech is optimistic, noting that “AI may have a significant impact on providing useful information to ecosystem assessments.” The potential for AI to overcome current limitations in analytical and computing power promises new insights into ecosystems and how we assess their health.
Insights from the keynote speakers further highlighted how acoustic data can inform ecosystem management, offshore wind development, and the social dimensions of marine research. This expanded focus reflects the growing societal expectations for fisheries acoustics to address global challenges such as climate change and sustainable resource management.
Looking ahead: The future of fisheries acoustics
As the field evolves, new challenges are emerging. One key frontier is integrating complementary methods such as eDNA sampling and optical systems into acoustic data models, which promises to improve species classification and provide more comprehensive assessments of marine biodiversity.
The importance of global databases and data sharing also featured prominently, with the community aligning towards FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data principles. Jech emphasizes the need for substantial hardware and software resources to archive and disseminate the vast amount of data being collected. He also points out that, “the trend now is to make those data available via the internet so that anyone with an internet connection and interest can use them,” unlocking new opportunities for global-scale research and collaboration.
To ensure data can be reused effectively, long-term dedicated resources and clearly defined roles in data stewardship will be essential. The steps towards creating FAIR data ecosystems are already underway, and with ongoing national and international efforts, the future of fisheries acoustics is moving towards greater accessibility and collaboration.
