NEW BEDFORD — In a multi-media world, conducting fishery stock assessment surveys was stuck in the early 20th century until Dr. Kevin Stokesbury came along.

The marine scientist at the UMass School for Marine Science and Technology concluded more than a decade ago that if he could do it using underwater cameras, he could be far more accurate than bottom trawls using questionable net gear in questionable ways.

The result is the booming scallop industry, confidently and sustainably fishing thanks to the process of photographing and literally counting the scallops on the ocean floor. They were abundant almost beyond belief.

In recent years, Stokesbury has adapted the concept to groundfish, which have proven to be notoriously difficult to survey in a way all parties have confidence. With yellowtail flounder in particular, fishermen contend that they are everywhere, while official science from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says they are scarce and must be protected with tight quotas.

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