A seasonal characteristic of fish assemblages in the coastal waters of Gapa-do was determined using samples collected by a trammel net from 2015 to 2019. Annual mean temperature and salinity were 18.9℃, 33.6 psu (2015), 19.5℃, 33.6 psu (2016), 18.9℃, 33.8 psu (2017), 18.8℃, 34.5 psu (2018) and 19.5℃, 33.7 psu (2019), which show a stable water mass. During the survey period, a total of 50 species (30 families and 8 orders) of fishes were identified, including Scorpaeniformes (3 families and 9 species) and Perciformes (18 families and 29 species) that accounted for 68% of the total number. The number of species was higher in summer than in winter, showing the peak in the summer by 35 species and the low in the winter by 20 species. The number of individuals and the biomass peaked in the summer by 690 individuals and 151.4 kg, and were the lowest in the autumn by 336 individuals and 76.6 kg. The annual diversity index, evenness index and richness index were appeared to be 2.54-2.75, 0.68-0.76 and 5.32-6.65 at each stations. The dominance index was appeared to be the highest in 2018 and the lowest in 2015. Marbled rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus), rock fish (Sebastes inermis), filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer), rabbit fish (Siganus fuscescens), porcupine fish (Diodon holocanthus) and smallscale blackfish (Girella melanichthys) were dominant species, which occurred abundantly during the entire survey period. Subtropical fishes were identified as a total of 24 species (48.0%) and the number of species was higher in 2019 by 20 (60.6%) species and lower in 2015 by 13 (44.8%) species. The dominant species of the subtropical fishes were appeared to be rabbit fish, porcupine fish, smallscale blackfish, flag fish (Goniistius zonatus), stripey (Microcanthus strigatus), grunter (Parapristipoma trilineatum), and bluestriped angelfish (Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis) at the study sites.

The reproduction characteristics of hagfish Eptatretus burgeri were examined using individuals caught in the South Sea of Korea. The spawning season and size at minimum sexual maturity of this species were characterized based on a gonad-somatic index (GSI) and monthly variation egg size (long axis). From monthly variation of GSI, the spawning season was estimated to be from August to September. Developing eggs larger than 10 mm were found in March, and the largest egg size was found in July. The first spawning length was 34.2 cm TL. Batch fecundity ranged from 13 to 117 eggs for hagfish sized from 34.2 cm TL to 77.0 cm TL, respectively, and increased linearly with total length.

Acoustic surveys were conducted in the seas surround the South Korea (South Sea A, South Sea B (waters around the Jeju Island), West Sea and East Sea) in spring and autumn in 2016. First, the vertical and horizontal distributions of fisheries resources animals were examined. In most cases vertical acoustic biomass was high in surface water and mid-water layers other than South Sea A in autumn and West Sea. The highest vertical acoustic biomass showed at the depth of 70-80 m in the South Sea A in spring (274.4 m2/nmi2) and the lowest one was 10-20 m in the West Sea in autumn (0.4 m2/nmi2). With regard to the horizontal distributions of fisheries resources animals, in the South Sea A, the acoustic biomass was high in eastern and central part of the South Sea and the northeast of Jeju Island (505.4-4099.1 m2/nmi2) in spring while it was high in eastern South Sea and the coastal water of Yeosu in autumn (1046.9-2958.3 m2/nmi2). In the South Sea B, the acoustic biomass was occurred high in the southern and western seas of Jeju Island in spring (201.0-1444.9 m2/nmi2) and in the southern of Jeju Island in autumn (203.7-1440.9 m2/nmi2). On the other hand, the West Sea showed very low acoustic biomass in spring (average NASC of 1.1 m2/nmi2), yet high acoustic biomass in the vicinity of 37 N in autumn (562.6-3764.2 m2/nmi2). The East Sea had high acoustic biomass in the coastal seas of Busan, Ulsan and Pohang in spring (258.7~976.4 m2/nmi2) and of Goseong, Gangneung, Donghae, Pohang and Busan in autumn (267.3-1196.3 m2/nmi2). During survey periods, fish schools were observed only in the South Sea A and the East Sea in spring and the West Sea in autumn. Fish schools in the South Sea A in spring were small size (333.2 ± 763.2 m2) but had a strong SV (–49.5 ± 5.3 dB). In the East Sea, fish schools in spring had low SV (–60.5 ± 14.5 dB) yet had large sizes (537.9 ± 1111.5 m2) and were distributed in the deep water depth (83.5 ± 33.5 m). Fish schools in the West Sea in autumn had strong SV (–49.6 ± 7.4 dB) and large sizes (507.1 ± 941.8 m2). It was the first time for three seas surrounded South Korea to be conducted by acoustic surveys to understand the distribution and aggregation characteristics of fisheries resources animals. The results of this study would be beneficially used for planning a future survey combined acoustic method and mid-water trawling, particularly deciding a survey location, a time period, and a targeting water depth.

매오징어 Watasenia scintillans 유생분포양상을 알아보기 위해 2015년 8, 9, 11월 R/V 탐구 21호로 동해 남서부연안 28개 정점 에 대해 CTD관측 및 IKMT(망목: 500 μm)를 사용하여 저층(최대 수심 100 m)에서 표층까지 경사채집을 실시한 결과, 채집된 매오징어 유생의 개체수는 총 238개체로 외투장(ML) 범위는 0.6 ~ 18.5 였다. 조사기간 중 8월이 9월과 11월보다 유생의 출현정점 수, 출현개체 수, 유생분포밀도에서 현저히 높았다. 특히 8월에 냉수괴가 분포하는 포항 ~평해까지의 동해연안에서 가장 높은 밀도를 보였다. 유생이 채집된 정점의 연직수온분포에서 매오징어의 부화수온(6 ~ 16 )은 주로 40 ~ 180 m의 수심에 위치하였다.

We measured the target strength according to the swimming tilt angle and size change for Pacific herring at the frequency of 70 kHz as the basic database in order to estimate its abundance as well as density in the survey area using the hydroacoustical method. The number of the sample used in this study was 14 individuals, and its size distribution by fork length ranged between 20.3 and 29.8 cm and wet weight was measured between 187.6 and 269.9 g. The variation of TS according to the swimming angle (-30~30°) was measured between 10.3 and 18.8 dB in frequency range, the highest value was measured at head-down of Pacific herring in the tilt angle range between 5 and 9 deg. of its swimbladder. The relationship between TS–FL of herring was the same as TS = 20log10 (FL) – 66.79 when its swimming tilt angle in the daytime (3.8 ± 6.0°) and nighttime (-3.2 ± 13.6°), respectively.

Lots of fishery stocks are overexploited and the overcapacity exists in Korean fishing fleets. One of the reasons is technological development, which increases the efficiency of the vessels continuously. The analysis was conducted to identify the change of fishing power index to develop the vessel and gear technology that may have improved the fishing efficiency of the offshore large powered purse seine fishery from 1960s to 2010s. Gross tonnage and horse power per fishing vessel was increased annually. Fishing gear material was changed to the knotless webbing to settle faster. Fishing equipments was modernized and supply rate was also increased. Therefore the relative fishing power index in the offshore large powered purse seine fishery increased from 0.4 in 1970 to 1.0 in 1980, to 1.5 in 2000 and to 1.6 in 2010, but the rate of increase slowed down gradually. The results are expected to contribute to reasonable fishery stock management.

Properties of aggregation and spatial distribution of fish were examined based on three lines in the South Sea of Korea using three frequencies (18, 38, and 120 kHz) of a scientific echosounder. The vertical distribution of fish was displayed using acoustic biomass namely nautical area scattering coefficient (NASC). As a result, at 120 kHz high NASC showed from water surface to 20 meters in deep while at 18 and 38 kHz very high NASC presented in 70 ~ 90 meters in depth, especially at line 3. Among three lines, the line 2 had lowest NASC. The horizontal distribution of fish using three frequencies together exhibited high NASC between the eastern South Sea and center of South Sea. In especial, NASC (801 ~ 1,920 m2/n·mile2) was observed along coastal waters from Busan to Tongyeong, Geoje, and Namhae. In regard with the property of aggregation of fish schools, the volume back-scattering strength (SV) of three lines presented close each other, however, the range of SV in the line 2 was shortest (-53.5 ~ -43.4 dB). The average distributional depth was deep in the order of L3 (32.8 ± 9.0 m), L1 (45.2 ± 9.5m), L2 (49.7 ± 5.6 m). The average altitude was high in the order of L3 (13.4 ± 10.3 m), L1 (17.0 ± 12.6 m), L2 (56.7 ± 5.6 m). The average length, thickness, and area were large in the order of L1, L3, and L2. This means that small sized fish schools were distributed near water surface in the line 2 while relatively large and similar sized fish aggregations between line 1 and line 3 appeared however, fish schools at line 3 had lower distributional depth and smaller compared to those at line 1. Acoustic data were visualized for demonstrating the entire circumstances of survey area. Additionally, there was no correlation between acoustic and trawl results.

울진 해역 경성암반 조하대 대형무척추동물의 생물다양성을 분석하기 위하여, 2010년 3월부터 2013년 2월까지 3년간 총 5개 정점을 대상으로 계절별로 연구를 실시하였다. 이 지역에서 대형 무척추동물은 총 146종이 출현하였고, 우점 분류군은 연체동물(67종), 절지동물(27종)로, 절지동물 (6,468개체), 연체동물(1,098개체), 극피동물(584개체) 순으로 총 8,688개체가 출현하였다. 계절별 조사 시 여름철에 총 96종, 2,525개체가 출현하여 가장 높았고, 정점별 조사에서는 정점 4에서 가장 많은 출현종수에 가장 낮은 개체수를 보였으며(81종, 1,377개체수), 정점 3에서 가장 낮은 출 현종수에 가장 높은 개체수가 출현하였다(45종, 2,213개체수). 이러한 결과는 다양도와 균등도에 서는 복족류가 풍부도 측면에서는 따개비류가 큰 영향을 준 것으로 나타났으며, 정점 3에서 따개 비류가 83.4%의 비율로 다른 정점에 비해 최고 2배 이상 차이를 보여 따개비류가 서식하기 좋은 환경으로 판단되었다.

Changes in target strength (TS) values of sandfish when sandfish was alive and dead were investigated using ex-situ at120 kHz. TS values measured by tilt angles with ‑50∼+50 degrees showed ranges from ‑71.0 to ‑53.3 dB for live sandfish, ‑63.1~‑46.3 dB for thawed sandfish, and ‑70.0~‑50.4 dB after 24 hours from thawed, respectively. It was shown that while TS values were similar between the case of live and the case of after 24 hours from thawed, mean TS values were higher by approximately 5 dB in the case of immediate thawed sandfish. It was also seen that TS values were similar between the case of thawed sandfish and the case of after 21 hours from live. The results showed that TS values of live sandfish were different from those of frozen sandfish. It implies that when estimating TS of frozen fish, the influx of bubbles and changes of body should be considered.

An acoustic and trawl pilot survey using a small vessel was conducted in Jinhae bay of the South Sea of South Korea on April 13~14, May 11~13 and June 8~10, 2015. During the survey, acoustic data was collected and bottom trawls were conducted at the same time. First, various noises were eliminated by using the Park method based on the Wang method(Wang et al., 2015; Park et al., 2015), the species compositions and catch rate from each bottom trawl were observed, and spatial distribution of fishery resources in the water column and their nautical area scattering coefficient (NASC) were investigated through acoustic data. During the entire survey period, 12 orders, 33 families and 41 species were caught. The most caught species in April, May and June were Okamejei kenojei, Zoarces gilli and Pholis nebulosa, respectively. Fish schools were observed near the line of net mouth height in April. Numerous weak scatters were presented on the echograms in May and June. Many fish schools appeared in between the water surface and 20 m deep in May. The NASC value from entire water columns was the lowest in April (35.9 m2/n･mile2) and highest in June (1541.3 m2/n･mile2).

This study was focused on acoustic scattering characteristics of jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) at frequency 38, 70, and 120 kHz by Kirchhoff-ray mode (KRM) model. The body length (BL) of 16 individuals ranged in 12.2~22.0 cm (mean±S.D.: 17.8±3.2 cm) and the swimbladder length ranged in 4.2~8.6 cm (mean±S.D.: 6.6±1.6 cm) and the swimbladder cross section ranged in 1.7~6.6 cm2 (mean±S.D.: 3.8±1.6 cm2). This result shows that results correlate well between the BL and the length and cross section of swimbladder. The swimbladder angle ranged in 7~12°and the maximum TS values ranged in –16~–5°at tilt angle. The averaged TS-to-BL relationship were TS38kHz=20log10BL-65.33 (R2=0.66), TS70kHz=20log10BL-65.90 (R2=0.67), and TS120kHz=20log10BL-66.65 (R2=0.65). These results can be used fundamental data in order to estimate distribution and biomass of jack mackerel by using hydro-acoustic method.

Acoustic target strength (TS) measurement and theoretical acoustic scattering models were applied to estimate the TS for assessing the fish biomass. TS measurement was made of ex situ sailfin sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus at 70 and 120 kHz, and then compared to backscatter model prediction. The live sandfish was tethered in seawater using monofilament lines. Measurements were made versus incidence angle, −50° to 50° relative to dorsal aspect directions. Distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) model was used to calculated TS pattern. The TS values of sandfish (body length: 16.2 cm) at 70 and 120 kHz were ‒66.94 dB and ‒64.45 dB, respectively, and were about 20 dB lower than TS of other fishes in Korea waters. These TS levels were distributed within the range of the theoretical TS. Ex situ measurement and theoretical TS may be applied to improve acoustical detection and biomass estimation of the sandfish, and is necessary to measure with various lengths.

In this study, we investigated the macrobenthic community structure and spatiotemporal variations in Uljin Marine Ranching area, East Sea of Korea. Macrobenthos were collected using a modified van Veen grab sampler from April to September 2013. Total number of species sampled was 345 and mean density was 5,797 ind. m-2, both of which were dominated by the polychaetes. The most dominant species were Spiophanes bombyx (53.64%), followed by Magelona sp.1 (6.96%), Cadella semitorta (2.73%), Lumbrineris longifolia (2.16%) and Alvenius ojianus (2.08%). Cluster analysis and nMDS ordination analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity identified 2 station groups. The group 1 (station 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9) was characterized by high abundance of the polychaetes Magelona sp.1, Lumbrineris longifolia, Scoloplos armiger, Praxillella affinis, Maldane cristata and the bivalve Alvenius ojianus, with fine sediment above 30m water depth. On the other hand, the group 2 (station 1, 4, 7 and 10) was numerically dominated by the polychaete Lumbrineriopsis sp. and the bivalve Cadella semitorta, with coarse sediment below 5m water depth. Collectively, the macrobenthic community structure showed a distinct spatial trend, which seemed to be related to the water depth and sediment composition.

Acoustical backscattering characteristics of Japanese anchovy can be estimated by Kirchhoffray mode model (KRM model) due to estimate exact body and swim-bladder shape of the fish, the samples were rapidly frozen by dry-ice and alcohol. X-ray photos for ventral and lateral direction for 6 samples were taken and the 3D coordinates of the body swim-bladder were estimated by digitizing from the photos. The angles between the axis of body and swim-bladder were about 9˚ at 38kHz and 7˚ at 120kHz, 200kHz. General formula of TS and BL estimated were 〈 TS38kHz 〉=20logBL-67.3, 〈 TS120kHz 〉=20logBL-66.6, 〈 TS200kHz 〉=20logBL-67.0. As a result, we confirmed KRM model is very useful to estimate TS (Target Strength) for design of experiment and it also can be applied to estimate the abundance of Japanese anchovy distributed by 2 frequency difference method in the survey area.