Antarctic Krill Distribution and Biomass in East Antarctica, 2021 Voyage

The eastern sector of the Southern Ocean between 55°E and 80°E is covered by this dataset on Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Data was collected during the RV Investigator voyage IN2021_V01 from 29 January to 24 March 2021 under the TEMPO program. It provides estimates of krill areal biomass density derived from acoustic data and biological sampling.

Use Cases

• Modeling krill population dynamics based on the described biomass density estimates.
• Studying predator-prey relationships in the Southern Ocean based on the krill distribution data.
• Calibrating acoustic survey methods for euphausiids based on the integrated net sampling observations.
• Assessing spatial management zones (CCAMLR) based on the geographic coverage between 55°E and 80°E.

Strengths

• Data collection followed standardized CCAMLR protocols (SC-CAMLR, 2000).
• Biomass estimates are complemented by direct biological sampling with an RMT trawl for length and mass measurements.
• Acoustic data was collected using a calibrated EK80 scientific echosounder at 120 kHz.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal bias inherent to the single 2021 voyage.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, collected via the Marine National Facility RV Investigator.

Collection Method

Acoustic transect analysis and biological net sampling (Rectangular Midwater Trawl) during a research voyage.

Time Range

29 January to 24 March 2021 (AEST).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 19:11:13.921319; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Eastern sector of CCAMLR Division 58.4.2 in the Southern Ocean, between 55°E and 80°E.