The task of scientists of fisheries science during a 120-day expedition on a ship of the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences to the Atlantic part of Antarctica is a comprehensive study of Antarctic krill – "rose gold", as fishermen call this valuable resource of the Southern Ocean for its color and unique properties - as well as fish and other hydrobionts. Employees of the World Ocean Sector of the Kerch Department of the Azov-Black Sea Branch of the VNIRO (AzNIIRH) - Chief Specialist Sergey Usachev and leading researcher Dmitry Bityutsky are taking part in the expedition.
"Our employees carried out research even before entering the zone of the Atlantic part of Antarctica. So, in the pre-Antarctic part of the expedition in the open waters of the Atlantic, they conducted day and night fishing with an experimental DSN network. Invertebrates, ichthyoplankton and myctophids in the catches were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed by them," says Alexander Zaitsev, Head of the World Ocean Sector.
As the vessel progressed in the main area of work – high–latitude Antarctica - areas in the Bransfield Straits and in the Antarctic Strait (Antarctic sound) were surveyed.
In the Bransfield Strait, biological analysis of Antarctic krill from catches by the DSN network showed a predominance of juvenile individuals 30-35 mm long. The condition of krill indicates good nutrition. In the Antarctic sound Strait, the krill caught by the Isaacs-Kidd net and trawl was from 35 to 56 mm, with a predominance of crustaceans 40-45 mm in size; the condition of krill in this area also indicates an active diet.
Then the ship moved to the Weddell Sea area, where VNIRO scientists continued comprehensive research from January 29.
Resource studies of krill, the study of its biology, size and age composition and distribution of accumulations will be used to develop scientifically sound recommendations for managing the krill stock and improving the efficiency of fishing. They are aimed at ensuring the resumption of the Russian krill fishery, which is classified as a priority area within the framework of the Development Strategy of the Fisheries Complex of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030.
Press Service VNIRO
