Acoustic scattering by fish—Acoustic models and a two-parameter fit

Abstract

The Rician probability density function (PDF) accurately describes acoustic scattering by individual live fish. A fish scattering model is proposed which contains concentrated scattering components (representing the swim bladder) and distributed scattering components (representing the fish skeletal structure). We associate the gross directional backscattering cross section with the concentrated component. The ratio of these two components, γ, may serve as a means of identifying different fish species and fish behavior from the scattering PDFs. Monte Carlo simulations of a swimming fish using the acoustic fish model give Rician PDFs.