Estimation of the distribution density of snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio using a deep-sea underwater camera system attached on a towing sledge

Abstract

This study shows that the distribution density of snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, was estimated using an underwater video monitoring system attached on the towing sledge. The field experiments were carried out at the coastal waters around Chuksan, East Sea, where ranged from 110 to 130m depth during September and October 2007. The sledge was towed for 40 minutes and the towing speed was controlled between 1.5 to 1.7 knot and each research areas were calculated to multiply towed distance by the detection width of the video monitoring system(1.2m), and then, distribution density of snow crab in each observations were estimated as a counted number of crab per 1,000. The result shows that their survey, taken between two months, reflected similar results during survey period, and the maximum and mean distribution densities in September estimated to be 77.0(number/1,000) and 19.9, respectively, and those of October were 36.0 and 21.8, respectively.