Articles
Acoustic cameras, new non-intrusive tools for studying aquatic life
Received : 23 April 2026;
Published : 10 June 2026
References
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Abstract
High-frequency acoustic cameras provide a novel non-intrusive method for observing aquatic organisms, even in turbid water or at night. They produce highly detailed images, making it possible to study behaviours that were previously impossible to document. Two applications are presented. First, the continuous detection and recording of swarms of Hemimysis anomala, an invasive mysid present in Lake Geneva. It was thus possible to describe precisely its nocturnal emergence cycles and return to shelter, which are strongly influenced by light and predation. Second, the reproductive phenology of whitefish (Coregonus spp.) was studied using a camera installed on a spawning site, allowing clear identification of activity peaks. Several analysis methods were compared, including the open-source software FishTracker, which is fast, stable, and easy to use. These imaging sonars open new perspectives for studying the behaviour and ecology of aquatic species.
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