Monitoring of zooplankton biomass and composition in the Barents Sea

Updated 2012-07-27

This is a cooperation between Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway (contact person Tor Knutsen, tor.knutsen@imr.no ) and Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO) in Russia. Main objective of the network: 1. Determine amount and distribution of zooplankton biomass (in three size fractions). 2. Describe abundance of dominant zooplankton species. 3. Determine annual variation in zooplankton biomass and feeding conditions of planktonfeeding fishes. Operation: Observations are taken by IMR from research vessels. The programme is carried out in cooperation with Russia (PINRO).

Status: Ongoing
Project time span: 1987 -
Data collection: 1987 -
Data processing: 1987 -
Data reporting: 1987 -

Contact information

Contact person: - -
Address: Tor Knutsen
Email: on.rmi@nestunk.rot

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Seawater/suspended particulate matter

Geography

Regions studied: Barents Sea

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: No

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.: Zooplankton collected with two types of nets (vertical and depth-stratified. Samples spilt in two parts, for determination of biomass and species composition, respectively. Biomass determined as dry weight in 3 size fractions (<1, 1-2 and >2 mm (mesh size in screen)). Species composition determined in selected samples; the rest is stored in a sample archive for retrospective analyses (e.g. of major ecosystem changes such as collapse of capelin stock). Sampling at fixed hydrographic transects (Fugløya-Bjørnøya; Vardø N) and as areal survey in fall.

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: No
Other institutes involved in the project: Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO)
Is this project reporting to other organizations/programmes?: Coordinated under the Joint Norway-Russia Fisheries Commission. Networks:
Indigenous AND traditional knowledge used in this project: No