Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International CCAMLR 2008 synoptic survey of krill , pelagic fish and plankton biomass and biodiversity in the South Atlantic (Area 48)  (CCAMLR - 2008 Survey)

Outline
In October 2004, CCAMLR’s Scientific Committee specifically directed its future work to planning an international multi-ship synoptic survey in the South Atlantic in 2007/08 season. The primary objective of the CCAMLR-2008 survey is to improve the acoustic estimate of pre-exploitation biomass of krill to estimate sustainable yield for the South Atlantic. Additional objectives are to: Ø determine the size and extent of the pelagic fish stocks, especially Myctophids,Ø study the large-scale distribution and biodiversity of krill larvae, other zooplankton and phytoplankton from the Polar Front to the Antarctic continent (in conjunction with the CoML programme),Ø study the interaction between krill, salp and sea-ice,Ø describe the hydrography of the region,Ø analyse krill flux across the Southwest Atlantic and investigate the genetic separation of local krill populationSurvey DesignThe survey design will be based on a randomised acoustic survey design developed for the CCAMLR-2000 Survey (Trathan et al., CCAMLR Science (8), 2001). The core survey will cover the area from 70° to 20° W from the Polar Front to the ice-edge. Depending on the number of vessels participating, the survey area will be designed to also provide coverage of the Lazarev Sea between 20°W and 30°E. The survey will collect core data sets (based on acoustic, net and environmental sampling) according to strict standardized protocols to ensure a high level of compatibility between ships. AcousticsDetailed protocols covering acoustic methodology were developed for the CCAMLR-2000 Survey. These protocols will be revised to take account of developments in equipment and analysis procedures to ensure a high level of standardisation. Net SamplingSampling using standardized nets will be undertaken for acoustic target identification, determination of krill population structure and distribution, and zooplankton diversity. The priority is to obtain widespread samples to estimate krill population structure as well as zooplankton biomass and biodiversity across different water masses. Environmental SamplingEach ship will undertake CTD casts (including water samples) to 1000 m at each net sampling station, to describe the physical environment, primary production and phytoplankton composition. Other sampling CCAMLR is inviting the IWC to send whale observers to participate on the survey vessels. The large-scale synoptic coverage provided by this survey will provide an ideal platform to undertake observations on distribution of predators and food supply of Antarctic krill and collaborations are being sought to provide such information.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Significant advances will be achieved. The description of the environmental STATUS of the Antarctic pelagic marine environment and the status of key components of the pelagic food web of the South Atlantic by a synoptic set of multidisciplinary observations, and also a contribution to quantify present natural environmental CHANGE, here in the pelagic ecosystem of the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic based on earlier comparable large scale studies such as the CCAMLR Survey 2000 and the FIBEX 1981 expeditions as well as the mesoscale CCAMLR studies along the Antarctic Peninsula and around South Georgia.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
CCAMLR is an international Convention, several member countries will participate in this initiative, either by supplying ship-time to the survey or scientific personal with expertise in this research field. In 2004 CCAMLR established a steering committee under the convenorship of Dr. V. Siegel (Germany). This group was tasked to develop plans and data collection protocols and coordinate the multi-national multi-ship synoptic survey.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The survey will cover a core area from 70°W to 20°W (Antarctic Peninsula to South Sandwich Islands between the Polar Front and 63°S and depending on the number of vessels available an extended study area from 20°W to 30°E between the Polar Front and 70°S.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/07 – 02/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
At least 3 vessels will be required with 30 days shiptime each to cover the transects of the core area. A minimum of 6 vessels (30 survey days) each will be required to cover the entire area. Scientific personnel may be shared with IWC whale observers and (SCAR) bird observers and there will be additional room on board for small groups to carry out specific research which will not require additional ship-time.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The main focus will be on science .The CCAMLR-2008 Survey will make a major, new contribution to the understanding of krill, pelagic fish and plankton in the South Atlantic. This information will be used by CCAMLR to further develop its ecosystem model of the region and the management procedures for krill and pelagic fish.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed by CCAMLR’s Scientific Committee and Commission and the survey is considered a high priority.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
The project is a new autonomous proposal, but it fits well into the long-term objectives of the CCAMLR and its Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management which include the development of an ecosystem -based model for the precautionary management of Antarctic marine living resources with krill as a key trophic component.The project will link to work planned under CoML. Integration with other international programmes will be made through the developing ICCED initiative.

How will the project be organised and managed?
CCAMLR has established a Steering Committee represented by one principal investigator from each participating member country. Specifically the Steering Committee will: Science Tasks – Define analyses to be undertaken collaboratively. Define analyses to be conducted unilaterally. Analysis – Ensure that all analyses are coordinated and agreed by the Steering Committee prior to commencing work. Define, coordinate and promote analysis workshops. Coordinate analyses of data not undertaken at workshops. Publication – Establish an Editorial Board. Produce a proposed publication list for the special issue. Maintain a register of all publications relating to the Survey.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Outreach and communication : CCAMLR, through its 24 Member countries, will actively promote the survey and scientific collaboration. This will be done, in part, with a central webpage (at www.ccamlr.org) containing information on survey design, sampling protocols, data collection plan, list of participants, weekly reports during the research survey, information on data base access, news from potential workshops, status of publications.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data from the survey will be managed by the CCAMLR Data Centre in accordance with the methodology established for the CCAMLR-2000 survey. The core datasets (e.g. acoustic data, net data and CTD data) will be transferred, together with documentation, to the CCAMLR database for archiving. With the exception of the raw acoustic data, all data will be held in a secure SQL Server format in line with other data held by the CCAMLR Data Centre. Raw acoustic data will be archived on a separate, long term medium.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be primarily obtained through national funding agencies. The German national project will be part of the LAKRIS 2005-2008 programme already accepted for funding by BMBF (Federal Research Ministry).National US AMLR Program funded by NOAA.The BAS Discovery-2010 Core-funded Programme will undertake a major cruise in the austral summer 2007/08 which will address objectives of the ICEED and CCAMLR 2008 Survey Programmes.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
In early 2000, CCAMLR conducted an acoustic survey of krill biomass over 2.065x106 km2 of the Southwest Atlantic (Hewitt et al., Oceanography (15), 2002). The CCAMLR-2000 Survey involved vessels from four CCAMLR Member countries. Vessels from 2 other countries surveyed selected parts of the survey area. The scientific parties on board were multinational and included experts from outside CCAMLR (e.g. IWC). The pre-exploitation biomass of krill (B0) and its variance were calculated at a multinational workshop in June 2000. This led to a revision of CCAMLR’s management procedure and a new precautionary catch limit for the krill fishery (SC-CAMLR, 2000).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Volker Siegel
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei, Institut für Seefischerei
Palmaille 9
Hamburg
22767
Germany

Tel: 040 38905221
Mobile: no
Fax: 040 38905263
Email:

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