Water Column Sonar Data Collection

The collection and analysis of water column sonar data is a relatively new avenue of research into the marine environment. Primary uses include assessing biological abundance, species identification,and habitat characterization. It is also useful for evaluating underwater gas seeps, characterizing the seafloor and bathymetry. The goals of this collection are to archive water column sonar data collected on NOAA, academic and international fleets, and to make the data available to researchers and the public around the world.