ECHOS thematic network

Study of aquatic ecosystems using active hydroacoustics (ECHOS, 2025–2029)

Active acoustics is an observation method used to understand, assess and monitor the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The ability of acoustics to observe ecosystem processes at multiple spatial and temporal scales promotes a better understanding of the ecosystem. The scope of active hydroacoustics encompasses all offshore, coastal, lagoon, estuarine and continental ecosystems, from polar regions to temperate zones.

Illustration of sampling methods for pelagic and mesopelagic fauna, showing the position of a trawl and an acoustic recording cone in relation to the layers of organisms. (source : A. Receveur)

This discipline is part of the range of tools available to INEE to provide essential information on scientific issues and current societal challenges, such as climate change and resource overexploitation. In France, many researchers and engineers are already working on these issues, but there is now a need to pool efforts by sharing scientific knowledge and defining new, interdisciplinary areas of research. The RT’s mission is to improve the visibility of the French scientific community in this field, which has extensive expertise that is recognised by the international community and needs to be developed and consolidated. The RT aims to bring together scientists (permanent staff, post-doctoral researchers and doctoral students) from around ten laboratories in several French research organisations (CNRS, Ifremer, INRAE, MNHN, IRD).

The objectives of the ECHOS RT are to: (1) structure a diverse and dispersed scientific community, (2) define common scientific and methodological obstacles, (3) standardise observation protocols, (4) promote the exchange of expertise, and (5) ensure the dissemination of knowledge through workshops, conferences and training courses.

The programme is organised around four main areas in line with the guidelines defined by the international working group in this field, the ICES Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics, Science and Technology (WGFAST):

Technologies and platforms: development and integration of new technologies (broadband sounders, acoustic cameras, eDNA, etc.) on various platforms (sailboats, drones, moorings, equipped animals) to collect data in hard-to-reach or sensitive environments.
Organism detection and classification: improvement of acoustic diffusion models, particularly for poorly studied species (crustaceans, gelatinous organisms), and expansion of the frequency signature database.
Data processing: use of artificial intelligence for the automatic analysis of large volumes of acoustic data, development of free and standard tools, and interoperability between databases.
Ecological and societal applications: biodiversity monitoring, biomass estimation, study of trophic interactions, spatial management support (protected areas, wind turbine siting), and contribution to international conservation objectives.

Network activities

Organising an annual meeting to promote discussion and the presentation of work
Providing targeted mobility support for RT members: PhD students, project development, participation in conferences
Organising technical workshops on specific topics and methodologies
Encouraging the sharing of expensive tools and workspaces, enabling the supervision of the use, loan and calibration of these tools

Network coordination

Mathieu Doray (DECOD), Jean Guillard (CARRTEL), Jérémie Habasque (LEMAR), François Martignac (DECOD), Aurore Receveur (MARBEC) and draws on a network that has been active since 2003.

Contact: If you are interested in the network, please contact Jérémie Habasque.

28/05/2025/by sherve@univ-brest.fr

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