Abstract
A hydroacoustic and a close-open-close zooplankton net survey were conducted to understand the distribution characteristics of the deep scattering layer (DSL) and to estimate the density of zooplankton in the DSL, in the Uljin coastal area. The survey was carried out during March 13-14 and June 4-5, 2003 at each station for zooplankton. The vertical migration mechanisms of zooplankton are very variable to the taxa. In this study, after we grasp the vertical migration of zooplankton through the results of an echo-sounder survey, we verified the mechanisms of their vertical migration in the Uljin coastal area. Also, to estimate effectively the biomass of zooplankton, we researched the acoustic scattering strength according to the species. On the basis of these results, we devised a method for estimating zooplankton biomass through comparing net and echo-soundings. We obtained the results as a follows; 1) According to the examination of collections from the net sampling, in March, 2003, Euphausia pacifica comprised <TEX>$38\%$</TEX> of zooplanktons inhabiting the sound scattering layer, while copepods, chaetognaths, and amphipods accounted for <TEX>$29\%,\;23\%\;and\;10\%$</TEX>, respectively. And in June, 2003, the ratio of E. pacifica was <TEX>$51\%$</TEX>, copepods <TEX>$43\%$</TEX>, and the others comprised <TEX>$6\%$</TEX>. In both March and June E. pacifica showed dominance among the species of zooplankton. 2) The analysis of vertical distribution through acoustic data in the scattering layer was more apparent in June (spring/summer) of 2003, than in March (winter/spring) of that year. The vertical migration of zooplankton peaked around sunrise and sunset in both March and June. 3) As for the sound scattering layer, it distributed in the open sea in March, and in the inland sea in June. Therefore it is suggested that some zooplankton species such as E. pacifica performed ontogenic horizontal migration througth the spring and early summer.
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