MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Krill live deep in Antarctic waters, study discovers

Deep-diving, remotely operated vehicle known as the Isis RoV used to film krill (Photo FIS)

Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill living and feeding at crushing depths of 3,000 metres in waters around the Antarctic Peninsula, a study says.

Until now the shrimp-like crustaceans were thought to only live within several hundred metres of the ocean surface, reveals a study published in the journal Current Biology.It says the discovery radically changes the scientific understanding of the major food source for marine animals including fish, squid, penguins, seals and whales. "Most krill make their living in the ocean's surface waters," said Andrew Clark of the British Antarctic Survey. "It was a surprise to observe actively feeding adult krill - including females that were apparently ready to spawn - close to the seabed in deep waters." Antarctic krill feed on tiny phytoplankton and live in schools, called swarms, sometimes reaching densities of 10,000 individuals. A key link in the Antarctic food chain, they grow to lengths of six centimeters and weigh up to two grams. They have a lifespan of up to eight to 10 years. Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton used a deep-diving, remotely operated vehicle to film the krill in the nearly pitch-black depths. (FIS)