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RRS James Clark Ross JR20001028 (JR54b)

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS James Clark Ross (74JC)
Cruise identifierJR20001028 (JR54b)
Cruise period2000-10-28 — 2000-11-12
StatusCompleted
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesMME / OED - BSD Squid Larval Sampling. Every year British Antarctic Survey scientists undertake a survey to estimate the biomass of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) in the waters around South Georgia. This survey usually takes place in the middle of the austral summer (December - January). Since 1996 the survey has been conducted within two well defined 80 x 100 km areas or 'boxes' spanning the continental shelf-break to the northeast and northwest of South Georgia. Acoustic surveys using sensitive echo-sounders are the favoured means for assessing krill abundance, as they allow detailed sampling of large areas over a short period of time. BAS scientists currently use the a SIMRAD EK500 scientific echo-sounder to conduct acoustic surveys of krill.

An acoustic survey was undertaken along four predetermined transects of the 'western box' area to the north-west of South Georgia. Data from this 'early season' survey, covering a region that will be surveyed again in December - January, will provide a measure of the seasonal changes in krill abundance around South Georgia. In addition to the acoustic survey, CTD deployments, measuring salinity and temperature, were made at four stations within the survey area. Nets are usually deployed to fish for krill during a survey to provide information on the characteristics of the krill that are observed on the echo-sounder. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented the use of the net.
Chief scientistMark Belchier (British Antarctic Survey)
Cruise reportRRS James Clark Ross JR20001028 (JR54b) cruise report jr054.pdf (0.03 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralSouth West Atlantic Ocean (limit 20W)
SpecificBurdwood Bank, South Georgia.