Geographical aspects of utilising resources of krill (Euphausia superba)

This paper presents data on the distribution of E. superba in the Atlantic sector and adjacent waters with an emphasis on subregions lying beyond the current fishing grounds of the Scotia Sea. In a number of subregions on the periphery of the Weddell Gyre (both to the north and south), as well as in the coastal waters of the Antarctic continent, the formation of krill aggregations is variable in terms of location of individual aggregations. The main difficulty with starting up a fishery there lies with assessing the variability of krill swarming patterns and the subsequent implementation of knowledge about this variability. This process must be undertaken alongside a program of integrated research directed at assessing variability in krill transportation and areas of swarm formation in the open-ocean environment. The commercial exploitation of krill aggregations in open-ocean areas should occur alongside an increase in the amount of exploratory surveys conducted annually.