H-6 

 INTRODUCTION 



(b) Study of micro- and meso-scale horizontal processes in relation to swarming of 

 krOl and patchiness of phytoplankton 



(c) study of the large scale meridional and zonal water transport at various depths in 

 relation to the life cycle of krill. 



2. Study of the variabihty between years and regions in the concentration and 

 composition of phytoplankton. 



3. Autecologjcal studies of key organisms of the Antarctic ecosystem such as whales, 

 seals, penguins, fishes, squids, krill, some other crustaceans, salps; assessment of their 

 standing stocks/biomass and production in selected areas of the Southern Ocean. 



4. Description of the major food chains in Antarctic waters with emphasis on the flux of 

 energy and material between the various trophic levels in selected small areas. 



5. Development of models to improve our understanding of the quantitative interaction 

 between different elements of the ecosystem and the effects of cUmate, whaling and 

 krill fishing on structure and efficiency of the food chain. 



6. Compilation and analysis of data from exploratory and commercial fishing. 



7. Provision of scientific information on the Antarctic ecosystem to the scientific 

 community, governments, industries, and other concerned bodies. 



