Distribution , Abundance and Demography of Krill

Th e results presented here are based on analysis of postlarval and larval krill collected by 101 net samples in the South Shetland Island and Bransfi eld Strait region during January 2009. • Postlarval krill exhibited a relatively uniform distribution of modest concentrations across the survey region. • Relatively small proportions of one-year-old krill, in conjunction with generally low krill concentrations in the Bransfi eld Strait, suggest reduced recruitment from 2007/08 compared to 2006/07, 2005/06 and 2004/05 year classes. • An actively reproductive krill population with large proportions of advanced female maturity stages and presence of early calyptopis stage larvae indicate peak spawning activity during the survey period. Introduction Here we provide information on the distribution, abundance and demographic structure of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands (Livingston, King George, and Elephant Islands) and the Bransfield Strai...