H-37 



RESEARCH PROGRAMMES 



Cephalopods inhabit both pelagic and benthic habitats in Southern Ocean waters. The 

 squids are primarily pelagic forms and constitute the major resource potential in terms of 

 numbers of species and biomass. The octopuses are primarily benthic dweUers and their biomass 

 and consequent energy flow are relatively minor in comparison to pelagic cephalopods. This is 

 especially the case in the Antarctic shelf waters, whereas sub-Antarctic islands appear to 

 support larger populations of octopuses. 



PLATE 6. A midwatcr squid (Histioleiilhis sp); total length approximately 25 cm. 



Currently no commercial fishery for cephalopods exists within the confines of the 

 Southern Ocean, but an active Japanese fishery has developed in New Zealand waters for 

 Nototodarus sloani. Recent statistics of this fishery are as follows: 



2.7.2 Objectives 



The objectives of the research programme are: 



1 . To delineate the species composition of the Southern Ocean cephalopod fauna. 



2. To conduct biological studies on species important to vertebrate predators and those 

 potentially valuable as fisheries resources, both in relation to the size of the stocks and 

 to predation rates. The proposed research will carry out basic biological studies based 

 upon a comprehensive sampling programme which will utilize multiple types of 

 biological and commercial collecting gear and include the stomach contents of 

 cephalopod predators. 



