Data on the Soviet krill fishery in the Atlantic Sector of the Antarctic from 1977 to 1992 are discussed. The total fishing effort from 1977 to 1991 was 50 086 vessel-days fished, in Subareas 48.3 (45% of the total for the period), 48.2 (36%) and 48.1 (19%). Three distinct patterns in the distribution of monthly fishing effort between subareas were recognised: Type I covered the period 1981–1982, Type II 1983–1986 and Type III 1987–1988. It is likely that environmental conditions and operational constraints influenced the distribution of fishing effort. The three types of distribution correspond to the spatial and temporal variability of the meridional atmospheric processes. Retrospective data analyses show that the fishing effort is most intense in the subarea where air transfer from the south is greatest. The phenomenon occurs in Subareas 48.1 and 48.2 under conditions of increased westward component of the zonal air exchange and in Subarea 48.3 of decreased westward component.