Japanese activities for BIOMASS

Abstract

Japanese scientists have been interested in the utilization of Antarctic krill as a potential resource of protein for mankind. Thus, the objectives of BIOMASS which aimed at gaining the knowledge of Antarctic marine ecosystems for the management of Antarctic marine living resources were accepted by Japanese scientists and supported by the Japanese government. In succession to the pre-BIOMASS activities, Japanese vessels, UMITAKA MARU III, KAIYO MARU and HAKUHO MARU conducted cruises to participate in FIBEX and SIBEX. Furthermore, two additional cruises were undertaken by the KAIYO MARU as an extension of BIOMASS. The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition contributed to BIOMASS with the observations onboard the FUJI and SHIRASE and shorebased research at Syowa Station. The UMITAKA MARU III and the HAKUHO MARU investigated primary production, abundance and distribution of phytoplankton, zooplankton and micronekton and organic particles with oceanographic conditions in the Southern Ocean south of Australia. The KAIYO MARU surveyed physical, chemical and biological conditions along several meridional lines and in grids in the Indian and Atlantic sectors of the Southern Ocean. Stress was put on the acoustic survey of the krill abundance and distribution for the estimation of its biomass. Accordingly studies of target strength were undertaken. The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition provided physical, chemical and biological data obtained in the ice-covered waters along with those in open seas. Summer data in the fast ice edge zone and year-round data at Syowa Station complemented the Japanese BIOMASS data file, most of which were formed with onboard summer research in the open water. BIOMASS encouraged Japanese marine scientists to pay their attention to the Southern Ocean. Their experience in the Southern Ocean has become a foundation in promoting research relating to the global change of environment, which focuses attention as one of the most important research themes at present.