Krill-dominated Ecosystem Dynamics in the Scotia Sea

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Antarctic krill is the dominant euphasiid species, and a key ecosystem component, throughout much of the Southern Ocean. This single species comprises most of the diet of many upper trophic predators, including fish, seabirds, seals and whales throughout much of the Subantarctic and Antarctic marine ecosystem. It is also the target of human fishing effort. The krill fishery has been increasing in volume recently (with Norway taking the greatest catches), and is now highly concentrated in FAO Zone 48. This area is also rich in biodiversity and houses some of the largest populations of krill-dependent, land-based predators in the Southern Ocean. Both the krill and some of the predator populations of the region have been showing negative trends in abundance recently, likely as a result of climate change. Thus, it is imperative at this time to have updated information regarding the current abundance and distribution of krill, as well as an increased understanding of krill-dominated ecosystem dynamics, to ensu re that human activity does not negatively impact natural components of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. This latter objective is the principle guiding tenant of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources, which is the fisheries management body responsible for overseeing fisheries in international waters around Antarctica. In the KRILL research programme the British Antarctic Survey, the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Institute of Marine Research have formed a powerful consor tium to deal with the cross-disciplinary challenges posed by an ambitious research effort that will use advanced scientific instrumentation to simultaneously study krill and their predators in the context of the fishery and a changing environment. The pro ject will strengthen Norwegian competence in Southern Ocean systems and also build new competence through graduate student recruitment, while providing valuable scientific data relevant to fisheries management.