The CCAMLR krill synoptic survey

Welcome to the CCAMLR krill synoptic survey web site. This web site has been created to provide detailed planning information for participants of the survey. Information placed on this site will be modified to reflect the latest status of the planning process. To help you keep up to date with changes each page or table shows when it was last modified. A contents page summarizes all the updates on the site, the navigation bar at the bottom of the page allows you to quickly move between the major sets of pages. Contact Jon Watkins , Synoptic Survey Coordinator (my email), if you require further information on the synoptic survey or have any comments about this site.
 
 

New Information

Follow the links to find the latest additions to the site
Page on RMT1 sample preservation
Page on post-cruise workshop analysis and data submission
Itinerary for UK ship updated for new departure and extra work
Latest positions of the ships during the cruise

Introduction

An estimate of krill biomass (BO) and its variance is used in the CCAMLR krill yield model to estimate the precautionary catch limit of krill for Area 48. At the present time the estimate of biomass is derived from the FIBEX (First International BIOMASS Experiment) synoptic survey which took place in 1980. Over the last 5 years there has been a recognition that more up to date estimates of krill biomass are required (SC-CAMLR-XII, paragraphs 2.38 to 2.43). For instance, in 1996 the CCAMLR Scientific Committee recognized the urgent need for a synoptic survey in Area 48 and noted that management advice for Area 48 could not be updated until such a survey had been conducted (SC-CAMLR-XV, paragraph 4.28). Since then plans to carry out a CCAMLR krill synoptic survey have progressed steadily (SC-CAMLR-XVI, paragraphs 5.13 to 5.19).

Overview

The synoptic survey will take place in January 2000. The survey will concentrate its efforts in Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 and 48.4. The survey will be multi-national in character, involving the participation of 4 research vessels from different nations plus the participation of experts from other CCAMLR nations. The main objective will be to improve estimates of BO (pre-exploitation biomass) used in the krill yield model to estimate sustainable yield for Area 48 (WG-EMM-98, paragraph 9.51). The survey will be carried out to set of agreed protocols to ensure that data from the participating nations is as comparable as possible. A cruise planning meeting will be held in March 1999 to finalize cruise tracks and protocols.

Draft cruise plans for the nations taking part in the synoptic survey are now being produced (UK, USA, Japan, Russia).

 
Introduction Itinerary Station positions Cruise tracks Planning Meeting Sampling Protocols Participants Background papers Contents
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This site is maintained by Jon Watkins/my email
Page was last updated on 29 January 2000