On the problem of Soviet krill fishery allocation and intensity in the area of Elephant Island in the season of 1988-1989

Microscale data, described the Soviet krill fishery off the Elephant Island (Subarea 48.1) between 59°-62°S and 53°-57°W during the period from 21.11.1988 to 25.03.1989, are analysed. Though the catch of the USSR in the above-mentioned season reached maximum, the total fishery intensity for the last 9 seasons was low and only 1 standard vessel operated in the area during 40% of the period. The highest catch per-unit-of-effort was observed in January (7.7 t per hour of trawling in average), and the lowest in November (3.5 t per hour of trawling in average). Fisheries tacktics follows the scheme: 1) vessels enter the Elephant Island area and search for krill concentrations; 2) fishing of concentrations, drifted from the Island, and return into the initial area when the concentration has been lost. The velocity of krill concentration northeastward drift, calculated by the fleet displacement amounted to 9.7-11.1 km/day (11-13 cm/sec). The analysis of fishing ground allocation by five-day periods showed that fleet operation areas in general overlap the minor part of foraging zones for animals, preyed on krill. Based on this and taking in account low fishery intensity the conclusion was made that current krill fishery insignificantly affect the seals and birds, preyed on krill.