Dual frequency acoustic classification of seafloor habitat using the QTC VIEW

A program of single frequency seabed classification using QTC VIEW with two separate frequencies has affirmed the effectiveness of this technology. Adding seabed classification to routine bathymetric surveys constitutes an efficient value-added solution to acquisition of needed baseline data for the enforcement of Marine Protected Area legislation and for fisheries habitat management. A local seabed classification test area was thoroughly groundtruthed with a variety of methods. Integration of the two separate frequencies at an intermediate stage of professing achieved near-optimal classification over varied geology. Dual frequency processing was well correlated with ground truth data.