In situ chlorophyll and plankton measurements with the batfish vehicle

An in situ Variosens fluorometer and an electronic zooplankton counter (prototype) mounted on a towed vehicle ´Batfish´ are in use for biological studies at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. A method of calibration at sea and a procedure for instrument error measurements are given for the Variosens fluorometer. The interference of zooplankton with the chlorophyll signal is discussed. Test procedures and a method of laboratory calibration for a prototype zooplankton counter are presented. Preliminary data obtained with Batfish are shown.