DIN EN 15910:2014-07

This European Standard specifies a method for data sampling and procedures for data evaluation of fish populations in large rivers, lakes and reservoirs, using hydro acoustic equipment deployed on mobile platforms (boats and vessels). This standard covers fish population abundance estimates of pelagic and profundal waters > 15 m mean depth with the acoustic beam oriented vertically, and the inshore and surface waters of water bodies > 2 m depth with the beam oriented horizontally. The size structure of fish populations can only be determined to a relatively low degree of precision and accuracy, particularly from horizontally-deployed echo sounders. As acoustic techniques are presently unable to identify species directly, other direct fish catching methods should always be used in combination. This standard provides recommendations and requirements on equipment, survey design, data acquisition, post-processing of data and results and reporting of the results. A selected literature with references in support of this standard is given in the Bibliography. This standard is part of a series of European Standards developed for the evaluation of species composition, abundance (frequency) and age structure of fish in rivers, lakes and transitional waters. The following standards have already been published: - EN 14011 "Water quality - Sampling of fish with electricity"; - EN 14757 "Water quality - Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets"; - EN 14962 "Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods". The initial draft of this document has been prepared by an international group of experts during an ad hoc joint EIFAC/CEN workshop. This document (EN 15910:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 230 "Water analysis", the secretariat of which is held by DIN. The responsible German body is Subcommittee NA 119-01-03-05 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological methods") of NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water analysis") at DIN Standards Committee Water Practice (NAW).