Multidisciplinary Oceanographic Research in the Krill Research Zone and General Protection Zone of the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area in 2024

This paper summarizes the Korea research voyage to the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (RSRMPA) in March 2023 on IBRV Araon (voyage code ANA14C). The primary goal of this multidisciplinary research expedition was to enhance our understanding of essential environmental and biological processes in the RSRMPA, thereby improving our knowledge of ecosystem structure and function in this region. The expedition also aimed to gather information about the Krill Research Zone to enable scientific evaluation of its ecological status and krill biomass distribution. The specific objectives of the 2024 Korea Ross Sea voyage included: (1) Hydrographic conditions; (2) Biogeochemistry; (3) Primary production and phytoplankton community; (4) Mesozooplankton community structure; (5) Krill acoustics; (6) Krill growth rate; (7) Microbial community; (8) eDNA focusing on biodiversity; (9) Mooring. To understand the KRZ environment as a krill habitat, future studies aim to estimate krill density distribution and examine the relationship between the physical-biogeochemical environment and krill biomass. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the Ross Sea marine ecosystem, supporting CCAMLR's efforts in sustainable marine resource management and conservation strategies in changing environmental conditions.