“BROKE” a biological/oceanographic survey off the coast of East Antarctica (80–150°E) carried out in January–March 1996

A large-scale biological/oceanographic survey (BROKE - Baseline Research on Oceanography, Krill and the Environment) was conducted off east Antarctica in the Austral summer of 1995/96. The prime focus was on describing the distribution and abundance of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and on determining possible sources of Antarctic bottom water in the region. A range of other studies were also carried out on BROKE including: measurements of primary production, surveys of Zooplankton and phytoplankton community structure, and sighting surveys of seabirds and cetaceans. The large dataset collected over an area of 873 000 km2 has led to a greater understanding of the marine ecosystem off East Antarctica and the environmental features that determine productivity in this region.