Modelling: The application of a research tool to Antarctic marine living resources
Modelling is an integral part of fisheries research throughout the world. The significant advances resulting from modelling studies directed at the North Sea and Georges Bank (North-West Atlantic) are considered. The North Sea model is a multi-species extension of the Beverton and Holt yield per recruit model. The Georges Bank model describes a static energy budget of this area. Several models have already been applied to marine living resources of the Antarctic. The pelagic ecosystem of the Ross Sea has been simulated. Behaviour of biological systems exploited simultaneously at two or more trophic levels (e.g. baleen whales and krill) has been studied by means of heuristic models. Numerous modelling investigations have been related to assessment and management of whale stocks. Several examples of specific research and management problems for the Antarctic which may be treated by modelling are provided. Modelling should be an integral part of research on Antarctic marine living resources.