Week 12: Antarctic Pelagic Ecology and Fisheries

Lecture 1: Biology and ecology of krill (Dr Patti Virtue)
The significance of krill in the Antarctic ecosystem. The fact that this is possibly the most abundant multi-celluar species on the face of the earth. The sheer scale of the biomass ofkrill in Antarctica The key features in the life cycle ofkrill and their roll in the food web. The history of the krill fishery, catch statistics, problems with catching and processing harvested krill. The future of the krill fishery and the potential management issues faced by CCAMLR as exploitation increases.

Download (right click link and choose 'Save') a sample PowerPoint mini-lecture (2.5 MB, sound) from Dr Patti Virtue! Note: If you don't have PowerPoint you will also need the PowerPoint viewer (zip file, 2 MB, PC only)

Lecture 2: Biology and ecology of fish (Dr George Jackson)
The key fish species in Antarctic waters. What is special/unique about Antarctic fish species, what are their life histories? What role do fish play in the Antarctic ecosystem? The history of exploitation of the resource in the different sectors of the Southern Ocean. Recent issue of Patagonian toothfish fishing. Managed plus pirates. The threat to Patagoninan toothfish populations. Risks of longlining to other Antarctic species.

Lecture 3: Biology and ecology of squid (Dr George Jackson)
The unique features of the squid life history. The significance of squid within the Southern Ocean, probably the next most important feature of the ecosystem after krill. The recently recognised food chain involving squid and excluding both krill and large fish predators. The significance of squid to vertebrate predators. Issues of squid fishing and potential future of squid exploitation.

Tutorial: Field trip in mid semester break to the Australian Antarctic Division to see AMLR facilities and the ongoing work with culturing krill and issues of krill biology