H-4 9 



3. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME 



The objectives of BIOMASS require action along the following Unes: 



1. Seagoing operations of research vessels. These should include both detailed 

 multidisciplinary studies in limited areas of special interest (co-operative 'experi- 

 ments'), and large scale surveys which will build on the work carried out by such 

 research vessels as the Discovery, Ob and Eltanin and by recent exploratory cruises. 



2. Other operations at sea. Exploratory and commercial fishing and whaling vessels, 

 supply vessels and others are expected to be operating in the Antarctic during the 

 BIOMASS period. Observations from these vessels will be used to supplement the work 

 of the research vessels, especially in relation to the harvestable resources. Seagoing 

 operations should be supported by remote sensing work. 



3. Shore-based studies. Investigations on feeding, growth and reproduction of krill and 

 other key organisms at established coastal stations should complement and add 

 year-round continuity to the offshore ship-based studies. 



4. Data analysis. Arrangements will be made to ensure the proper compilation, storage, 

 dissemination and analysis of information arising from all relevant activities in the 

 Antarctic. 



5. Modelling. Immediate use will be made of information from published and unpublished 

 sources for the development of models; field and experimental data from (1), (2) and 

 (I), (2) and (3) will be used to expand the models as they come in. 



3.1 Seagoing activities of research vessels 



During the first operational stage, culminating in the First International BIOMASS 

 Experiment (FIBEX), 1980-81, investigations should be concentrated in a suitable area such as 

 the Scotia Sea or the Atlantic sector in general. It is in this sector that the resources appear 

 most abundant and where they are most likely to be harvested. Studies of other sectors must 

 follow. 



3.1.1 Macroscale studies of krill in relation to hydrography 



The drift of krill during its two to three years of life is of the order of 1 000 km, and is 

 mainly governed by surface and deep currents. The assumed 'developmental ascent' may include 

 the upper 2 000 m of the water column and, together with larval development, takes between 

 10 and 100 days. Two proposed projects are sufficiently wide ranging to provide information 

 on transport mechanisms: the Weddell Sea Gyre project, and the International Southern Ocean 

 Studies (ISOS) project on water circulation and remote sensing of the variability in oceanic 

 fronts and ice movements. The near surface distribution of krill in summer has been described 

 in considerable detail by earlier expeditions. However, little is known of the transport of the 

 various life history stages and of the Unks between the different populations. Quantitative 

 sampling of krill at several depths should be carried out in various areas and seasons: there is an 

 urgent need to extend the life history studies of krill into autumn and winter and into the pack 

 ice zone. The sampling programme should be guided by oceanographic observations and 

 supported by radio echo surveys. At least two research vessels will be needed for each of the 

 selected areas. 



