Research interests

I investigate how different parts of the Southern Ocean marine food web (penguins, other seabirds, seals, whales, fish, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton) interact with each other and the environment (currents, water masses, ice, climate), and how they respond to external pressures (fishing and global change).

I contribute to the conservation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem through participation in CCAMLR and advice to decision makers. This work includes assessing and predicting the ecosystem effects of fishing and developing and evaluating ways of monitoring the state of polar marine ecosystems.

My work supports ecosystem-based management (EBM) of marine resources. EBM recognises the need to balance conservation objectives with social and economic objectives. My interests therefore extend to the economic and social impact of policy options and global change, to characterising the perceived value of polar marine ecosystems and to examining trade-offs between the different objectives implied these diverse perceptions.

I work with colleagues to develop and use models which describe ecosystem interactions at a range of time and space scales. Although some of these models attempt to predict the future, we recognise that these predictions are very uncertain. Nonetheless, assessments of the risk of particular outcomes are possible and useful for making decisions. I am interested in ways of communicating risk and uncertainty.

• Atkinson, A., Pakhomov, E., Siegel, V., Jessopp, M., Peat, H., Kawaguchi, S., Hill, S., Loeb, V., Hewitt, R., Fielding, S., Tarling, G., Daly, K., Ashjian, C., Chiba, S., Ensor, N., Brewster, C., Watkins, J., Hosie, G., Ichii, T., … ten Hoopen, P. (2020). KRILLBASE-length frequency database, a compilation of scientific net sampling data on length, sex and maturity stage of Euphausia superba around the Southern Ocean, 1926 to 2016 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/dfbcbbf9-8673-4fef-913f-64ea7942d97a

• Atkinson, A., Hill, S., Pakhomov, E., & Siegel, V. (2016). KRILLBASE: A database of Antarctic krill and salp densities in the Southern Ocean, 1926 to 2016. (Version “1.0”) [Data set]. Polar Data Centre; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council; Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.. https://doi.org/10.5285/8b00a915-94e3-4a04-a903-dd4956346439

1. Creating Standards for Climate Experiments

   Eco-ICE studies whether making Arctic sea ice thicker could harm ocean life and creates tools to help decision-makers work out if climate projects are safe.

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2. Conservation and leadership in Southern Ocean ecosystems

   CONSEC explores how climate change and human activity are transforming the Southern Ocean, guiding global science and conservation.

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3. Evaluating climate change risks to Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish

   This project assesses how climate change affects Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish populations in the South Atlantic. Led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), it focuses on the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.

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4. Biogeochemical processes in polar ecosystems

   BIOPOLE studies how climate change is affecting the release of nutrients from the polar regions, and their redistribution around the world’s oceans.

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5. Higher Predators – Long-Term Science

   Higher Predators carries out long-term science to measure changes in Antarctic ecosystems. The aim is to understand the processes that drive these changes.

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6. National Capability for Global Challenges

   Polar Expertise – Supporting Development

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7. KRILLBASE

   KRILLBASE compiles and shares circumpolar data on Antarctic krill and salps. The project supports research, fisheries management, and conservation across the Southern Ocean.

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1. BAS shortlisted for NERC’s 2023 Impact Awards

   The shortlist has been announced for The Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) Impact Awards 2023. Four BAS projects have made the shortlist and commended list, ranging from biodiversity and ecology to space weather.

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2. Penguins benefit from extended maritime zone

   Gentoo penguins are benefiting from a newly enlarged no-fishing zone (known as a No-Take Zone NTZ) around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia following British Antarctic Survey (BAS) tracking research […]

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3. Research priorities for effective krill management

   An international ‘Krill Action Group’, including experts from the British Antarctic Survey, has identified several research priorities to advance the understanding of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and improve the management […]

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4. Antarctic krill take refuge from climate change

   New research shows that Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a key link in the Southern Ocean food web, have refuges from the rapid climatic warming and ice loss that has degraded […]

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5. Protecting seabirds and mammals

   A new study published this week (7 January 2020) identifies a need for fishery managers to adopt clear objectives for the protection of seabirds and mammals. It is published in […]

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6. Krill’s influence on CO2 and global climate  

   A new study involving British Antarctic Survey researchers highlights the influence of krill (Euphausia superba) on atmospheric carbon levels. It is published in the journal Nature Communications today (18th October […]

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7. Antarctic krill use ‘hotspots’ for their young

   New research, published this week (24 July 2019) in the journal PLOS ONE, shows how Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a key species in the Southern Ocean food web, choose different […]

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8. Krill swarms responsible for ‘hidden’ carbon storage

   Large krill swarms in the Southern Ocean could help remove additional carbon from the atmosphere, in a way that is currently ‘hidden’ in global models. The new study is published […]

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9. Antarctic krill population contracts southward as polar oceans warm

   The population of Antarctic krill, the favourite food of many whales, penguins, fish and seals, shifted southward during a recent period of warming in their key habitat, new research shows. […]

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10. State of the Polar Oceans report published

    Report published July 2018

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11. New study reveals what penguins eat

    The longest and most comprehensive study to date of what penguins eat is published this month. The study, published in the journal Marine Biology, examines the diets of gentoo penguins […]

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12. NEWS STORY: Bridging the gap in the krill debate

    Event: Understanding the objectives for krill fishing and conservation in the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula Region Convened by the British Antarctic Survey, ICED and WWF WWF’s Living Planet […]

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13. PRESS RELEASE: Krill risk from warming seas

    Warming Antarctic seas likely to impact on krill habitats Antarctic krill are usually less than 6 cm in length but their size belies the major role they play in sustaining […]

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