The Distribution and Abundance of Zooplankton during Postmonsoon and Premonsoon Periods 261
surface. Comparison between various sectors within the southern shelf in November
indicates the highest values in the area of the Swatch and the lowest in the northern
sector. The total number of copepods in November was 2 to 3 times that obtained on
the shelf in March.
Siphonophora
Appendicularia
0
3
Salpida
2
1
0
3
Doliolida
2
1
'"
0
I
E
Ostracoda
4
'"
2 $2
o x
Cladocera
2
1
0
Fish - larvae
Copepoda
Southern Zone
Fig. 8. Abundance of major groups of zooplankton in different ecological sectors covered by cruises
I - IV along the coast of Pakistan
Fish larvae yielded the highest abundance in areas of rich zooplankton stocks. Their
largest concentration was found in October and in March in the slope water. During
November they were abundant on the southern shelf in areas close to the continental
margin. They were most abundant in the southern sector; in the sector north of the Swatch
they were largely confined to the area near the continental margin but were mostly