ABSTRACT OF THE PRESENTATION MADE AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "DYNAMICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN; PERSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE" (30 NOV-04 DEC 2015, GOA, INDIA) TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF 50 YEARS OF IIOE-1
Title of Abstract
Norway IMS overview of the 'FAO - RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen' program
Authors
Reidar Toresen**, Francois Dufois, Michelle Fernandes, Patsy Theresine, Bernerd Fulanda, Ainhoa Bernal Bajo, Melody Puckridge, Cedras, Riaan, Espen Bag'ien, Alexander Christian Beck, Indah Lutfiyati, Nasirin, Aina Le Don Nomenisoa, Andria Asri Utama, Pazy Simili, Kristine Nilsen Torkildson
Abstract
Between 26 June and 17th July 2015, the FAO - "RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen" crossed the Southern Indian Ocean sampling along the 20 degree south latitude. The vessel is owned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) but carries out scientific assessments for the EAF-Nansen Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization on the United Nations (FAO). The survey was the first of two legs that constitute a demonstration survey in a crossing from Indonesia to South Africa. There were sixteen scientists from ten countries in the team. The aim of the survey was to study ecological features of the southern Indian Ocean, and thematic teams looked at oceanographic features of the southern Indian Ocean gyre, primary and secondary plankton production, concentrations and behavior of meso-pelagic fish and occurrence and concentration of plastic particles in the water. Preliminary results show that the southern Indian Ocean gyre is complex, consisting of a number of smaller eddies with specific oceanographic features. The biological production in the gyre is low but relatively higher away from the centre and at both sides. The density of meso-pelagic fish in the gyre is also low, but tends to follow the biological production. The fish feed on plankton in the upper 100 m layer of the water column during night, migrating down to the oxygen maximum layer at 400 - 500 m depth during daytime. Plastic particles were observed in almost all water samples collected throughout the survey. The concentrations of plastic particles varied and were higher on the eastern side of the gyre than within the gyre.
