The new fisheries multibeam echosounder ME70: description and expected contribution to fisheries research

Recently, Simrad in collaboration with Ifremer developed a calibrated, multibeam, vertical echosounder (ME70) for fisheries research. We describe its capabilities and technical limitations. The ME70 has up to 45 beams with distinct frequencies in the range 70-120 kHz, spanning at most 150°. All beams are stabilized in vessel roll and pitch. It has reduced side-lobe levels, up to -70 dB (two- way) instead of the -25 dB (one-way) of conventional systems. We outline research areas for which the ME70 might provide new types of information and hence lead to novel insights. We illustrate the potential contributions with datasets collected in the English Channel and on the continental-shelf break of the Bay of Biscay. Finally, future research and developments using the new system are outlined.