Distribution and abundance dynamics of jellyfish in the Sea of Okhotsk

The seasonal and interannual trends in the distribution and abundance of jellyfish (Scyphozoa and Hydrozoa) in the epipelagic and mesopelagic areas of the Sea of Okhotsk during 1992–2005 were examined on the basis of trawl survey data. The area of occurrence, biomass, and the numbers of Scyphozoa in the epipelagic layer were the smallest in spring; in summer and fall their abundance sharply increased and then decreased in winter. In contrast to the epipelagic zone, the numbers of scyphomedusae in the mesopelagic layer were significantly lower in the summer than in the winter and spring. This probably indicates that a part of scyphomedusae winter in the mesopelagic. Hydrozoa in both the epi- and mesopelagic areas were more numerous in the winter and spring. Jellyfish biomass and abundance greatly changed from year to year. Thus, in fall the biomass of scyphomedusae and hydromedusae in the epipelagic zone varied from 166 to 1271 and from 6 to 49 kg/km2, respectively.