Résumé: The stable carbon (delta C-13) and nitrogen (delta N-15) isotope values of soft tissues of micronekton (crustaceans, squid, mesopelagic fish) and zooplankton were measured from organisms collected on the RV Antea at two seamounts located in the south-western Indian Ocean: La Perouse (summit depth similar to 60 m) and “MAD-Ridge” (thus named in this study; summit depth similar to 240 m). Surface particulate organic matter (POM-Surf) showed higher delta C-13 at the more productive MAD-Ridge than at the oligotrophic La Perouse seamount. Particulate organic matter and zooplankton were depleted in N-15 at La Pemuse pinnacle compared with MAD-Ridge. Gelatinous organisms and crustaceans occupied the lowest and intermediate tmphic levels (TL similar to 2 and 3 respectively) at both seamounts. Mesopelagic fish and smaller-sized squid sampled at both seamounts occupied TL similar to 3 to 4, whereas the large nektonic squid, Ommastrephes bartramii, collected at MAD-Ridge only, exhibited a TL of similar to 5. The delta N-15 values of common open-water mesopelagic taxa were strongly influenced by specimen size and feeding habits at both seamounts, with an increase in delta N-15 values with increasing size. Carnivorous fish species sampled exclusively over the seamounts' flanks and summits exhibited TL values of similar to 4, irrespective of their wide size ranges. The work could not demonstrate any differences in delta C-13 values of mesopelagic fish between the seamounts and the surrounding oceanic areas. The study segregated clusters of mesopelagic organisms according to their delta C-13 and delta N-15 values, with variations in stable isotope values reflecting a complex range of processes possibly linked to productivity as well as biological and ecological traits of the species (size and feeding mode).

Résumé: There is a growing interest in the management of seamounts of the Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) both in waters under national jurisdictions and in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). New scientific knowledge has been gathered through various oceanographic cruises during the past decade, and new agreements are under consideration globally to promote conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity in the ABNJ, where the deep sea ecosystems associated with seamounts are a growing matter of concern. SWIO seamounts have attracted the interests of fishers since the 1960s, and contracts for mining exploration have been granted recently. Seamounts are known to shelter rich, fragile and poorly resilient ecosystems whose important ecological functions are threatened by various anthropogenic pressures. Whereas many seamounts and shoals are located in national waters, many others fall in the ABNJ, with no current legal status per se. To ensure conservation of their habitats and biodiversity, it is essential that protection measures are instigated under an internationally recognized legal and institutional framework. In this paper, we review the current state of such a framework relevant to seamounts, with emphasis on fisheries and conservation in the SWIO. An emblematic seamount, the Walters Shoal, is selected as a case study to discuss how it could become a fully-protected space in the ABNJ. As a large part of the SWIO is under the mandate of the Nairobi Convention (as a Regional Sea under the auspices of UNEP), guidelines are proposed to encourage dedicated seamount governance within the framework of this Convention.

Résumé: Based on satellite and in situ data, the dynamic characteristics and vertical structure of a surface intensified mesoscale eddy dipole recently expelled from the South East Madagascar Current (SEMC) is described for the first time. The dipole was surveyed 250 nautical miles south of Madagascar between 14 and 23 November 2016, during west-east and south-north transects carried out over the northern Madagascar Ridge. The dipole consisted of two counter-rotating vortices of similar size (100 km) and intensity (0.7 f), and an intense southwestward jet (150 cm s(-1)) in the frontal region between the two eddies. The cyclonic eddy was lying on the western side of the anticyclonic eddy. With azimuthal velocities reaching 100 cm s(-1) at the surface and decreasing slowly with depth (40 cm s(-1) at -600 m), this dipole was defined as a highly non-linear (Ro similar to 0.7) isolated eddy-type structure (c(beta) similar to 11 cm s(-1) and U/c(beta) similar to 0.7) capable of trapping and advecting water masses over large distances. The enhanced concentration of chlorophyll-a found in the cyclone relative to the anticyclone could be tracked back to the spin-up phase of the two eddies and attributed to eddy-pumping. The eddy cores were located above the pycnocline (1026.4 kg m(-3)), within the upper 600 m, and consisted of varieties of Subtropical Underwater (STUW) found within the SEMC. The STUW found in the anticyclone was more saline and oxygenated than in the cyclone, highlighting mixing with the inshore shelf waters from the southeastern coastal upwelling cell off Madagascar. Observations suggest that the dipole interacted strongly with the chaotic bathymetry of the region, characterized by a group of five seamounts lying between -240 m and -1200 m. The bathymetry blocked its westward advection, trapping it in the vicinity of one shallow seamount for more than 4 weeks, so enhancing the role of the eddy-induced velocities in stirring the surrounding water masses. Squeezed between the southern Madagascan shelf and the northern flank of the anticyclone, two filament-like dynamic features with very different water-mass properties could be observed on the south-north transect: i) one filament highly concentrated in chlorophyll-a demonstrating the capacity of the eddy to export shelf water offshore; ii) intrusions of southern-type STUW generally found south of the South Indian Counter Current (SICC) recirculating on the external flanks of the anticyclone. Although the observed circulation and hydmgraphy were largely constrained by the presence of the mesoscale eddy dipole, unmistakable fine-scale dynamics were also observed in the vicinity of the MAD-Ridge seamount, superimposed onto the mesoscale eddy flow.

Résumé: The dynamic of the thermohaline structure of the upper ocean, which depends on ocean-atmosphere interactions, drives most near surface oceanic processes, including the control of gases and heat fluxes, and nutrient availability in the photic layer. The thermohaline structure of the southwestern tropical Atlantic (SWTA), a key region for diagnosing variation of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, has prime impact on global climate. Characterising the thermohaline structure is typically based on the application of classical statistical methods on vertical profiles. Such approach has important limitations since classical methods do not explicitly contemplate the vertical nature of the profiles. Functional Data Analysis (FDA) is a new alternative to solve such drawbacks. Here, we apply an FDA approach to characterise the 3D canonical thermohaline structure of the SWTA in austral spring and fall. Our results reveal a clear spatial pattern with the presence of three areas with significantly different thermohaline structure. Area 1, mostly located along the continental slope, reflects the western boundary current system, with low static stability and high frequency of occurrence of barrier layer (BL). Conversely, Area 2, located along the Fernando de Noronha chain, presents strong static stability with a well-marked thermocline. This area, under the influence of the eastern Atlantic, is characterised by a low BL frequency, which is seasonally modulated by the latitudinal oscillation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, controlling the regime of precipitation. In turn, Area 3 behaves as a transition zone between A1 and A2 with the presence of the water core of maximum salinity in subsurface, and therefore presence of strong-moderate BL. Beyond this study, FDA approach emerges as a powerful way to describe, characterise, classify and compare ocean patterns and processes. It can be applied to in situ data but could also be used to deeply and comprehensively explore ocean model output.

Résumé: The pattern of surface circulation in the Mozambique Channel was elucidated from the trajectories of 82 satellite-tracked drifters over the period 2000-2010 and complementary satellite-derived altimetry. Overall, the trajectories indicated that anticyclonic activity was mostly observed on the western side of the Channel, with cyclonic activity being more prevalent in the east. A lack of eddy activity was noted in the southeast corner of the Channel (i.e. SW of Madagascar). Drifter behaviour illustrated that surface water from the Comoros Basin, entrained into anticyclonic eddies during formation, can be retained and isolated for months whilst being transported southwards through the Channel. During a tropical cyclone weather event, a drifter was observed to switch between counter-rotating eddies indicating that horizontal mixing of the Ekman layer does occur. The drifters also illustrated and emphasised the flow field and transport between eddies (i.e. the interstitial flow) in the Mozambique Channel. Despite the dominance of southward propagating anticyclones, drifters were able to move north and south through the Channel in the frontal flow field between eddies within periods of 51-207 days. Cross-channel transport in both directions between the Madagascan and Mozambique shelf regions was similarly observed, with time spans of 19-30 days. Surprisingly, drifters from the southern limb of the East Madagascar Current were transported westward across the channel to the Mozambique shelf. This transport was similarly facilitated by the frontal flow field between eddies. It is hypothesised that the frontal zones between eddies and interstitial waters play an important role in distributing biota in the Mozambique Channel.

Résumé: The MESOBIO programme investigated mesoscale dynamics using an integrated ecosystem approach, linking physical and biogeochemical processes with different trophic levels. Observation and modeling were used in combination to explain the main processes occurring in the mesoscale eddy field. The particular shape of the Mozambique Channel, composed of two basins interconnected through a narrow zone, favours the generation of mesoscale eddies and increases the opportunity for eddy-shelf interactions. Phytoplankton abundance peaked in areas of nutrient enrichment that are often found in the core of cyclonic eddies, as well as on the continental shelf. Grazers in zooplankton communities exhibited high biovolume in cyclonic eddies, but their abundance was lower in fronts and divergence zones, with lowest biovolume in anticyclones. Biovolume was highest at shelf stations, but very variable and similar to phytoplankton. Age of eddies, their subsequent maturation stage and the dynamics of the eddy field played a major role effecting zooplankton abundance. Micronekton presented abundance patterns coherent with zooplankton distribution, however this was only demonstrated by acoustic methods, whereas mid-water trawl collection and predators stomach contents (predators being used as biological samplers) did not reveal significant relationships with mesoscale features. For upper trophic levels, the average density of foraging seabirds was lowest in anticyclones, highest in cyclones and at intermediate levels in divergence, shelf and frontal zones. However, multifaceted behavioral responses were observed in such a highly variable environment. Swordfish was clearly associated with divergence zones, and to a lesser extent with fronts, suggesting that the higher density in divergences was related to the presence of its main prey, essentially large squids. Although tunas tended to be more abundant in areas with weak geostrophic currents, their relationship to mesoscale features was not straightforward as adult tunas caught by longline have the ability to explore different foraging habitats over a broad range of depths. Several suggestions for advancing eddy-related research from the current state of knowledge are proposed in the second part of the paper.

Résumé: A multidisciplinary programme, MESOBIO (Influence of mesoscale dynamics on biological productivity at multiple trophic levels in the Mozambique Channel) was undertaken in the Mozambique Channel within the framework of a scientific partnership between France and South Africa. MESOBIO focused on the signature of the highly energetic eddy dynamics in the Mozambique Channel. The Channel, which is known to be one of the most turbulent areas in the world ocean, has a great diversity of marine organisms and is the site of active pelagic fisheries. MESOBIO was mostly based on observations at sea during 12 multidisciplinary cruises between 2002 and 2010. Hydrographic measurements, sampling of biological organisms ranging from phytoplankton to top predators, and experiments on primary production and energy transfer through the food web, were conducted onboard various research vessels. The data were analysed in relation to eddy field characteristics for the periods of the cruises, including seasonal or inter-annual variability in mesoscale activity. A modelling approach was also developed within MESOBIO for both the circulation in the Channel and the biogeochemical response to eddy forcing. This paper introduces the suite of articles on the MESOBIO investigations by summarizing background knowledge for the different disciplines and the key issues that were addressed within the programme.

Résumé: Oceanic mesoscale circulation is a crucial structuring force for the marine environment. Dynamical processes associated with eddies such as eddy-induced upwelling or eddy-eddy interaction drive the transport and distribution of nutrients which support the whole food chain presumably through bottom-up processes. It has been largely documented that eddies can shape the distribution of both low (phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish larvae) and high trophic levels (top fish predators, seabirds or turtles) but the impact of mesoscale features on intermediate trophic levels (micronekton) remains poorly explored. In this work, we analysed the influence of eddies on the distribution of micronekton aggregations in the Mozambique Channel by combining acoustic data and satellite sea topography data. We demonstrated that large aggregations of micronekton occurred mainly in areas of high local horizontal gradient of sea level anomaly, i.e., at the periphery of eddies. We observed that eddies in the region, when running along the coast, advect at their edges coastal rich waters, which support the base of the trophic chain. We propose that eddies can shape the distribution and the aggregation patterns of the forage fauna of marine top predators through bottom-up processes.