A facility for testing remote sensing systems for fisheries use

The paper discusses initiation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries Service´s Program, Mississippi Test Facility, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to accelerate application of remote sensing to fisheries. Facility is designed to provide controlled biological environment in which tests can be conducted under near natural conditions. History of at-sea and tank tests conducted prior to establishment of the present facility is discussed; also, results gained from these efforts. Description of system´s current configuration to support marine organisms under controlled conditions, limitations of system, because of its unique location and capabilities, includes testing of: 1) aerial remote sensors of fish and environmental parameters, 2) subsurface systems such as hydroacoustics and other subsurface techniques, and 3) detailed observations of marine species behavior under simulated conditions. Current activities include biological stabilization of system, effectiveness of recent tests, and planned experiments.