1. Introduction.

Survey objectives.

The general objectives of the programme as discussed and agreed at the planning meeting in Trinidad, 12-14 January are as follows:

Describe the composition, distribution and abundance of the main components of the resources of small pelagic - and demersal fish and crustacea on the shelf and slope for studies of the state - and the potentials of the stocks.
Collect biological samples of the most important species for studies of growth, maturity etc.
Conduct taxonomic studies for the purpose of preparing a regional species guide.
Conduct oceanographic investigations and obtain satellite imagery for studies of the oceanographical regimes and their ecological characteristics.
Prepare charts based on echo sounder observations of bottom character.
Provide data of catch rates for specific selected gears and areas.

These overall objectives were to be amended and supplemented by the more specific requirements for each country or area. For Venezuela the following applies: A defined area of the Gulf of Paria should be covered in one of the later surveys for shrimp and by-catch studies. For the eastern part, Oriente, the area of main interest starts from abt. 63° W with the shelf of the Testigos Archipelago onwards. The shelf further to the east may thus be covered less intensively. The separate small shelf area east of the Blanquilla Island should be included. The Cariaco Gulf would be a suitable area for a possible intercalibration of acoustic systems between research vessels. Of special interest for the purpose of biological sampling are penaeid shrimps, snappers, catfish, grunts, groupers, scombrids, sharks and cephalopodes. For the Central and Western Central Areas work on the slope should be included, possibly with sampling down to 400 m or more and with biological sampling of most of the groups mentioned for the Oriente. For the Western Area a special detailed survey should be made of the Golfo de Venezuela Of special interest for sampling are: Penaeus spp., Lutjanus spp., Cynoscion spp., Bagre marinus, Micropogonias furnieri, Orthoptistes ruber and Haemulon spp., Mustelus spp., Scomberomorus spp. and squid. Hydrographic profiles should be worked outside the Gulf of Paria, the Trench of Cariaco and the Peninsula of Paraguana.

The acoustic coverage should be adapted to the distribution of the target resources for these investigations so that the highest survey intensities are in areas of high fish densities. This will be done by amendment of the basic survey grid on a current basis during the survey. Trawling with mid water and bottom gear for identification and sampling form an integral part of the acoustic survey work.

The acoustic system will only cover the part of the demersal fish found in mid water and non of the crustacean resources, although samples for composition, size etc. will be provided by the accompanying bottom trawl catches. In order to obtain further data on the demersal fish, a number of trawl stations will be made in prelocated position. When targeted on demersal fish these hauls must be made in daytime.

Trawling for red spotted shrimp should be nocturnal while pink and brown shrimp can perhaps also be caught by day. This activity can not be expected to be on a scale which will allow estimates of standing stock, but results will provide biological sampling and some distributional characteristics.

Participation.

The following scientific staff participated:

From Venezuela:
Port of Spain to La Guaira:
Diana Zaera, Ayurami Alcala, Ramon Guzman, Luis Marcano and Ifigenio Velasquez.
La Guaira to Punto Fijo:
Diana Zaera, Ayurami Alcala, Roberto Cipriani, Rodolfo Alvarez, Marco Badaracco.
Punto Fijo to Santa Marta:
Diana Zaera, Luisa Franco, Mauricio Campo.
From Colombia:
Punto Fijo to Santa Marta:
Santiago Rodriguez, Jorge Nieto.
From FAO: Luis Villegas
Up to La Guaira the scientific staff from IMR was:
G. Sætersdal, O. Alvheim, J. Kolding, T. Haugland and E. Molvær.
From La Guaira on the staff was: T. Strømme, O. Alvheim, T. Haugland and E. Molvær.