139736eo.pdf (20MB) - Japan Oceanographic Data Center

APPENDIX:REGIONAL COOPERATIVE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE NW ARABIAN SEAOutlined Proposal of a Tentative Scientific Programme1. ObjectivesA. Fundamental study of the oceanography and bioproductivity.3. Better understanding of monsoon weather generally and sea-air relationships inparticular.C. Assessment of pelagic fish stocks and their spatial-temporal variations in structure anddistributions as related to both oceanic and ecosystem dynamics.D. Providing information needed for planning, implementation, strategy and technique ofan intensified fisheries and for the protection of pelagic resources.2. Area and Disposition of Sea-going InvestigationsThe proposed area is shown in Figure 20, with a logical southward extension, reaching atleast 8"N. It shows also: needed stations for continuous meteorologic recording (e.g.,automatic weather stations); network of stations for long-range hydrographic and currentrecords; tentative tracks of seasonal (winter, premonsoon, S W monsoon and postmonsoonseasons); and monthly cruises for oceanographic and bioproductivity investigations. Theoperations needed for the assessment of stocks and fishery biology studies of pelagic fish(integrated echo-sounding, sampling and exploratory fishing) are envisaged to go along withoceanographic cruises, covering the areas of outlined transects and (between them) in codstalwaters.3. Topics of Scientific ProgrammeA. Meteorological records, in particular wind; air temperature and evaporation;solar radiation.B. Hydrography and water masses.C. General circulation.D. Physical processes in upwelling phenomena, including: wind stress,sea-level variations, surface sea water temperature monitoring; (including utilisationof satellite IR images), dynamics of upwelling and adjacent sinking systems.E. Physics chemical factors of primary productivity: nutrients (inorganic and organicsources), COz system.F. Primary productivity as phytoplankton standing stocks and their structure andfunctional productivity.G. Zooplankton standing stocks and their structure.H. Total orgtanic matter as related to its decomposition.I. Development of anoxic conditions and recycling of nutrients.J. Oxygenation and anoxia.K. Pelagic fish investigations:L. Assessment of stocks, their distribution and migrations.M. Ichthyoplanktological investigations as indicating both stocks and their dynamics.N. Research on biology, behaviour and population dynamics of dominant and/orcommercially important species.0. Specific studies on: mesopelagic fish (and invertebrate) populations, large epipelagicfish, pelagic cephalopods.P. Exploratory fishing operations for potentially commercial species.277