Echoview 16: The Standard for Hydroacoustic Data Analysis
Echoview 16 is the world’s leading specialized software for processing, visualizing, and analyzing data from underwater acoustic instruments, such as scientific echosounders (singlebeam and multibeam) and sonars. It is an essential tool for fisheries scientists, marine ecologists, and oceanographers who use sound to study aquatic life (fish, zooplankton), map the seafloor, and characterize the water column.
Core Function: Transforming Acoustic Signals into Ecological & Spatial Data
The software’s primary role is to convert raw acoustic backscatter data (echoes) into quantitative biological and geophysical information. It applies sophisticated algorithms to filter noise, classify echoes, and extract metrics like fish biomass, school dimensions, plankton distribution, and seabed topography.
Key Functions:
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Data Import & Calibration: Imports raw data from a wide range of manufacturer-specific echosounder formats (Simrad, BioSonics, ASL, etc.) and applies calibration parameters to ensure accurate, scientifically valid results.
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Echo Integration & Target Detection: Quantifies acoustic backscatter to estimate biomass (Nautical Area Scattering Coefficient – NASC) and detects individual fish targets for abundance and size estimation.
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School & Feature Analysis: Identifies and characterizes fish schools or aggregations, measuring their area, perimeter, depth, and acoustic density.
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Multibeam & Seabed Processing: Processes multibeam sonar data for detailed seabed classification (hard/soft bottom) and bathymetric mapping.
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Visualization & Export: Provides advanced 2D and 3D visualization of echograms and processed data, with extensive tools for exporting results to GIS, statistical packages, and custom reports.
