Population distribution, structure and growth condition of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) during the austral summer in the Southern Ocean

Abstract

Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba Dana) was collected using a High Speed Collector and an Isaac–Kidd midwatertrawl (IKMT) net during the austral summer of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 in the circumpolar and Prydz Bay regions of theSouthern Ocean, respectively. Combined with the simultaneous recording of environmental factors, spatial distribution, populationstructure and growth condition of E. superba were studied. The abundance of E. superba in the Weddell Sea was higher thanin Prydz Bay. However, the abundance of E. superba in both the Weddell Sea and Prydz Bay was lower than figures reportedin previous krill surveys for the same time period. With respect to the total study area, E. superba displayed a normal growingstate during the two expeditions. E. superba grew relatively poorly in some stations, which may be due to the late retreat of seaice or lower chlorophyll a concentrations. The number of juvenile E. superba collected using the High Speed Collector wasproportionally greater in stations located at the edge of the sea ice, while adults dominated in long-term non-ice regions. Thisphenomenon reflects the different distribution pattern between juvenile and adult krill. The population structure of E. superba differed between sea regions, which may affect recruitment.