VI-170 



Instrumentation 



Field Investigation and research in estuarine and near shore areas 

 is extremely expensive in terms of manpower, time, and equipment 

 commitments, thus, research to advance the state-of-the-art of surveil- 

 lance and monitoring is necessary in order that information essential 

 for management decisions can be obtained at less cost and in an expe- 

 ditious manner. Instrumentation must be developed which will simplify 

 data collection, will be reliable, and will require little maintenance. 

 With the technological advancement in data acquisition capabilities 

 such as remote telemetering systems, it is now possible to continuously 

 record pertinent environmental parameters for extended time periods. 

 In the recent past, man-hour requirements made such intensive data 

 acquisition impossible, thereby excusing our present inability to 

 distinguish man-made alterations of estuarine biota from natural 

 fluctuations. However, we can no longer use this excuse. We must 

 initiate intensive long-term estuarine monitoring programs that reflect 

 existing capability in remote telemetering systems. Although the 

 equipment price tag is high, it is cheaper in the long run than any 

 other method and we can no longer afford not to develop this approach. 

 A valuable system would be one which would warn directly of variations 

 in monitored parameters which exceed previously determined limits. 

 This v/ould allow a biological survey to assess Immediate and/or 

 delayed effects on the biota from natural environmental fluctuations. 



