Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The importance of seasonal sea ice on life cycles of key fish species in the Ross Sea, Antarctica.  (ROSSFICE: ROSS Sea Fish species and sea-ICE)

Outline
The Ross Sea is one of the most productive regions of the Southern Ocean and its biological richness is related to the presence of large free-ice polynyas in which massive phytoplankton blooms occur. As a result of its high productivity, the Ross Sea supports large populations of mid and upper trophic level organisms. In the global fishing context, the Ross Sea is nowadays considered the last frontier and, from 1998, more and more nations have started to exploit its profitable fishing resources, under the CCAMLR control. Although CCAMLR rules are inspired by the precautionary approach, great concern exists about the actual possibility to preserve the Ross Sea environment and its fish resources given the uncertainties of deficient information and of climatic change. In this perspective a challenge for the Antarctic scientific community will be to focus to the most important fishing resources, and understand in time how the dependence from the sea-ice cover could be influenced by climatic change. Recent observations showed the crucial dependence of some Ross Sea fishes upon the seasonal sea-ice, but the relationships between the sea-ice and fish life histories still remain largely unexplored. One example is the case of the silver fish Pleuragramma antarcticum,, a key fish species in the Ross Sea food web, whose eggs were found in large amounts in 2002 in Terra Nova Bay, entangled in the platelet ice, and appearing to be remarkably resistant to freezing. This discovery indicates a life history with an obligate tie to sea ice, with important biological and ecological implications. There is also growing evidence pointing to the importance of the ice-covered coastal areas of the southern Ross Sea in the life history of the commercially exploited species Dissostichus mawsoni, which is found in shallow waters under the ice during the spring months. In line with the experience accumulated over the past 15 years by Italian scientists, in cooperation with NZ and US colleagues, we propose to focus our efforts on the life cycle of two target fish species. The understanding of the degree of dependence of such species on the sea ice will aid prediction of the impact of climatic changes on fish communities and on the predators depending on them, in the Ross Sea, with implication for the knowledge of dynamics of the coastal ecosystem and adequate management of fishes and other living resources.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The international/interdisciplinary approach provides the potential for understanding of the relationships between the life cycle of the target species and sea-ice cover, thus making advances in the knowledge of structure and dynamics of the coastal Antarctic ecosystems. This in turn represents the potential for predicting the effects of local and global changes on fishes and other living resources, with implications for Antarctic economy and politics. In particular the research will leave a legacy of data to support CCAMLR decisions and actions in terms of protection of marine organisms and of management of the fishing activity in the Ross Sea.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The activities will be carried out in the framework of cooperative programmes involving Italian NZ and US scientists working on biology and ecology of the Ross Sea fish species. Collaborative exchanges will be developed among other IPY Projects dealing with Antarctic fish biology, such as the ICEFISH international programme.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Western sector of Ross Sea. The activities will be conducted along the Victoria Land coast at McMurdo Sound, Terra Nova Bay and Cape Hallett, operating from the sea-ice cover during the austral spring. Sampling operations by oceanographic vessel will be carried out in ice-free sea water in the summer period.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/07 - 11/07      01/08 - 02/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice strengthened research ship; Existing field stations; Helicopters; Ice drilling capability; Remotely Operated Vehicle; SCUBA diving facilities.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
After identifying coastal regions of particular importance for the target fish species, such as reproductive grounds or nursery areas, such areas will be proposed for protection under international agreements (CCAMLR; ATCM) asking for specific observation sites to be established.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency

The project will be coordinated under the general logistic organization of the Italian PNRA (National Antarctic Research Program)

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project will focus on two strategic research themes within the Italian Antarctic Programme (global changes - structure of the antarctic marine ecosytem) and coordinated with NZ and USA parallel projects. Moreover the proposal is in agreement with the research priorities indicated by CCAMLR

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?
New

The projects is new and brings together competences and expertise in fish biology and ecology accumulated in the Ross Sea region in the last 15 years by Italian, NZ and US scientists, to focus on the relationship between sea-ice and critical phases of the fish life cycle

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be coordinated under the general organization of the Italian PNRA (National Antarctic Research Program) in cooperation with NZ and US Antarctic Agencies. The facilities and logistic support (helicopters, ice drilling machine, skidoos, ROVs, aquaria, etc.) available at the Mario Zucchelli Station in Terra Nova Bay and at US and NZ Stations in McMurdo Sound, will assure the field activities on the seasonal sea-ice. The off-shore sampling will be conducted on an Italian research vessel equipped with multiparametric oceanographic instruments, pelagic trawl nets, Bioness system and echosurvey tools.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Scientific articles will provide the basis for disseminating our understanding of the impact of climatic changes on Antarctic fishes. Website and meetings will put the results in the general context of the effects of the global change on life. Young scientists will be involved to develop competence in polar research.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The proposal will be developed under the CCAMLR umbrella and the data will be managed according to CCAMLR roles and aims. Main issues will be focused to regulation and control of fishing activities in the Ross sea and to possible establishment of protected sites.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The proposal of the project will be presented to the Italian PNRA (National Antarctic Research Program) for financial support. The participation of NZ and US partners will be supported by respective national Antarctic projects.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Marino Vacchi
ICRAM c/o Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide
Università di Genova
Viale Benedetto
16132
Italy

Tel: +39 010 3538328
Mobile: no
Fax: +39 010 3538102
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation