CCAMLR

In 1997, de la Mare presented a statistic (labelled the Composite Standardised Index at the Workshop on Area 48) to WG-EMM for generating a simple time-series index of many long-term datasets on Antarctic predators. The value of the index in a given year is dependent on the specific parameters present in that year. In this respect, the robustness of the index is dependent on that subset of parameters being representative of all the parameters for that year. Clearly, this will depend on how correlated the parameters are to each other. This paper reports on a Monte Carlo simulation study that helps specify general criteria for the inclusion of predator parameters in the index with regard to the potential effects of missing values as well as the degree of correlation between parameters. These trials found that, for inclusion in the index, parameters should be positively correlated with all other parameters and preferably with correlations greater than 0.3. If this criterion is met then these results indicate that a time series of 3 years for the full matrix of 8 parameters used in this study is sufficient for determining the correlation coefficients. These criteria need to be accepted with caution. Further work is required to take assess the effects of sampling variability on the performance of the index. Also, this work needs to account for the characteristics of the current CEMP database and to assess which of the available parameters might be included in the index. A general challenge is to identify how to incorporate parameters that are highly negatively correlated to the other parameters in analyses of the effects of prey availability and the environment on predators. The latitude given to accepting some parameters in the index needs to be evaluated in the wider context of being able to make correct decisions based on the index despite the uncertainties or variability in the behaviour of those parameters.

Studies were conducted to formulate different products using krill meat stored for 2 months at -30°C and one month at -20°C. Dried krill of good quality could be prepared by blanching krill in boiling 5% Na Cl solution for 5 minutes and then sundrying. Incorporation of krill mince even at a level of 10% to fish mince during production of surimi and fish paste affected the quality. Though a prawn like flavour was imparted on mixing krill mince with fish mince during preparation of fish cutlet and fish burger, it gave a bitter after taste at 10% level and bitter taste at 20% level or above. The swelling property of the fish wafer was affected by the incorporation of krill mince.

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) harvested during the First Indian Antarctic Krill Expedition were subjected to primary processing like freezing, preparation of minced meat etc. on board the vessel. On reaching the shore these primary products were further processed into several value added products which included dried, canned, frozen and other speciality products and by-products. Biochemical, bacteriological and organoleptic assessments of many products were carried out. The details of the work carried out and the results obtained are summarised in this paper

Antarctic krill harvested from Southern ocean during the First Indian Antarctic Krill Expedition, was processed onboard FORV Sagar Sampada and the biochemical parameters of frozen stored samples were studied. The mince was extracted and various products were prepared. The chemical composition are similar to other related species. The fluoride in the shell migrated into the meat on frozen storage to the tune of 44% after three months.

Results of harvesting operations for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in Fishing Area 58 in the Indian Ocean Sector of Southern Ocean, during the First Indian Antarctic Krill Expedition (27 December 1995 - 10 March 1996) on board FORV Sagar Sampada are summarised in this paper. 18 hauls were made using a 2.5 m Isaacs-Kidd Midwater Trawl (IKMT) in the area 59°00’-61°08' S lat; 30°04'-40°04' E long, from 27 January to 12 February 1996. In the area of operations, krill was caught in waters south of 60° parallel (60°43'-6l°00' S), between 32°00-34°05' E long. Krill were present in 33.3 per cent of the total number of hauls taken. Major species obtained were krill (8%) and salps (92%). Aimed trawling operations targeted at Antarctic krill were conducted using a 42 m commercial krill midwater trawl sourced from Poland and a 49.5 m experimental krill midwater trawl of Danish origin. total catch of 12470 kg was landed during the 16 aimed trawling operations. This included 5637 kg Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), 6738 kg salps, 35 kg jelly fish, 12 kg krill juveniles, 2.2 kg lantern fish, 5.7 kg squid and 2.7 kg other fishes. Krill constituted 46 per cent of the total catch while salps constituted 54 per cent. Average catch for krill worked out to be 354.6 kg.haul-1. In the area of operations (57°53'- 61°13' S lat and 31°40' - 36°31' E long ) krill was caught between 60°48' - 61°13' S lat and 31°19' - 34°14' E long. Better catches (>l000 kg.haul-1 ) were obtained between latitude 60°40' - 61°13' S and longitude 33°34' - 34°14' E.