Conceptual model of Antarctic epi- and mesopelagic fish

The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is currently considering plausible models of the Southern Ocean ecosystem within the Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (WG-EMM). Epi- and mesopelagic fish are key components in the oceanic (deep water) marine ecosystem throughout the CCAMLR area. While not in most cases the object of commercial fisheries, these generally small (<20cm long) species are widespread and abundant and are a key link in the food chain between crustacean and larger fish, seals and birds. Data on the species’ distribution, biology, ecological interactions and susceptibility to environmental change are summarised for use in ecological modelling work.