Field Surveys

The AERD utilizes an AMLR-chartered vessel (the R/V Yuzhmorgeologiya, shown here) to conduct predator/prey studies in the vicinity of two field stations in the South Shetland Islands. The AMLR Program attempts to assess the status of Southern Ocean krill and finfish populations, and their predators, by conducting annual multi-faceted collaborative in situ research studies. To this end, the AERD utilizes an AMLR-chartered research vessel (R/V Yuzhmorgeologiya; shown right) to conduct predator/prey studies in the vicinity of two field stations in the South Shetland Islands. The vessel platform is used primarily to collect environmental, oceanographic, primary productivity and pr Shown here are the tracklines (green line) followed by the R/V Yuzhmorgeologiya. Each green dot represents a station at which the AERD conducts CTD casts. Also shown (red stars) are the lcoations of the two field stations where predator studies are conducted. ey data (zooplankton abundance and distribution, specifically Antarctic krill Euphausia superba).

Concurrently, the AMLR Program collects predator data at the field stations located at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island (seabird and seal studies) and at Copacabana in Admiralty Bay (jointly funded by the National Science Foundation/Office of Polar Programs) on King George Island (seabird studies only).

Finfish surveys are conducted periodically to assess biomass of species subject to commercial harvesting.


Spring time at Cape Shirreff...	... melts into a warm summer!