Report of biological observations carried out on board the krill fishing vessel More Sodruzhestva in April to August 1991

An observation program was carried out by a biologist-observer on board the krill fishing vessel More Sodruzhestva in April to August 1991 in Subareas 48.2 and 48.3. The program included observation of krill fishing operations, collection and processing of catch samples for analysing physiological status and size composition of krill and also for determining the level of by-catch of juvenile channichthyids. In general, krill density in Subarea 48.2 was twice as high as that in Subarea 48.3. Catch-per-haul was 9.51 and 4.74 tonnes respectively. Krill of two modal sizes, 45 to 48 mm and 49 to 52 mm, were dominant in catches taken in April/May in the north-west of Subarea 48.2. Krill of modal sizes 31 to 32 mm and 35 to 36 mm made up the bulk of catches in the south-east of the subarea. No by-catch of juvenile fish was observed in Subarea 48.2. Krill of the following three modal groups was dominant in Subarea 48.3: 35 to 38, 39 to 42 and 45 to 46 mm. By-catch of juvenile Champsocephalus gunnari was observed in these subareas during the period 17 to 23 May 1991. Sightings of marine mammals and birds in the vicinity of the vessel were also recorded.