Tasks. The agreed work tasks was a follow-up of the previous survey conducted from 20 February to 3 March, and included the following: To conduct an acoustic fishing survey for small pelagic fish on the shelf; to conduct bottom trawling experiments for demersal fish, deep water shrimp and langostinos; and to test the availability of squid off the shelf with light and jigging. The hydrographic profiles run during the previous survey were to be repeated, and one new section to be set out in Nicaragua.
Survey plan. The time available for the work between San Juan in Nicaragua and Acajutla in El Salvador allowed a mean rate of coverage of 10 to 15 nm between course tracks, leaving some 10 hours a day for fishing. The acoustic survey was to be supplemented with a demersal trawling programme with test of catch rates in good concentrations. In the area of the slope a detailed trawling programme of prelocated hauls were set out to check the high abundance of langostino and deep sea shrimps found during the previous cruise. A testing programme on the availability of oceanic squid using light and jigs was to be performed.
Scientific staff: The following participated from the region:
Nicaragua: Manuel Perez, Rodolfo Sanchez
Honduras: Luis Morales
El Salvador: Orlando Villatoro, Juan Ulloa
From FAO: Luis Villegas.
The vessels own scientific staff was: Tore Strømme (until 27.May), Johannes Hamre (from 20.May), Helge Ullebust, Øivind Torgersen, Martin Dahl.
