bottom as a reference basis, some theoretical elements which form bottom echoes during acoustic survey of demersal fish were considered. A stable bottom detection method based on maximum voltage difference, which was not influenced by variable levels and waveform transformation. The method has been shown to be effective using in-situ bottom echo waveforms and computer simulation data. A comparison between near-bottom SV profiles acquired in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, of Japan, the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea, of Korea, with the threshold method and maximum differential voltage method, shows that the SV obtained with the maximum differential voltage method is 4-6 dB higher than those with threshold method within 2m from the bottom.