Simons JDSoniat TMPowell ENSong JEllis MBoyles SAWilson EACallender WRJournal of Shellfish Research2010-02-152010-02-151992http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/23059431-436A method for rapidly and relatively inexpensively mapping oyster (Crassostrea virginica) bottom is described. The method uses an acoustic profiler to differentiate substrate type, a fathometer to assess bottom relief and a global positioning system to accurately establish position. The method has the following desirable traits: can be performed from a small research vessel, usable in most weather conditions, requires only a two-person crew, rapidly discriminates bottom type while underway, usable in shallow (< 1 m) or deep (> 10 m) water, provides accurate and precise navigation. The method has been used successfully to map the oyster reefs and oyster bottom of Galveston Bay, Texas, an area of approximately 1000 km super(2)acousticsASW,USA,Texas,Galveston BayCrassostreaCrassostrea virginicaechosounder profilesGalveston BaymappingNavigationO 5060 Aquacultureoyster reefspositioning systemsQ1 01566 Fishery charts,grounds and water areasQ1 01583 Shellfish cultureQ2 02385 Hydrographic survey and cartographyQ3 01583 Shellfish culturereefsTexasUSAwaterWeatherJournal