Field Surveys
The AMLR Program attempts to assess the status of Southern Ocean krill and finfish populations, and their predators, by conducting annual multi-faceted collaborative in situ research studies. To this end, the AERD utilizes an AMLR-chartered research vessel to conduct predator/prey studies in the vicinity of two field stations in the South Shetland Islands. The vessel platform is used primarily to collect environmental, oceanographic, primary productivity and pr
ey data (zooplankton abundance and distribution, specifically Antarctic krill Euphausia superba).
Concurrently, the AMLR Program collects predator data at the field stations located at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island (seabird and seal studies) and at Copacabana in Admiralty Bay (jointly funded by the National Science Foundation/Office of Polar Programs
) on King George Island (seabird studies only).
Finfish surveys are conducted periodically to assess biomass of species subject to commercial harvesting.
![Spring time at the AERD field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island; snow is still plentiful in the austral spring. Spring time at the AERD field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island; snow is still plentiful in the austral spring.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130216102700im_/http://swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedImages/Operating_units/AERD/Surveys/WIF110.jpg) | ![Summertime at the AERD field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. Fur seals are shown in the foreground. Summertime at the AERD field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. Fur seals are shown in the foreground.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130216102700im_/http://swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedImages/Operating_units/AERD/Surveys/WIF115.jpg) |
Spring time at Cape Shirreff... | ... melts into a warm summer! |