Copepod carcasses in the upwelling region south of cap blanc,N.W. Africa

High numbers of copepod carcasses were found in zooplankton samples taken in the upwelling system off N.W. Africa. The validity of the measurements is discussed. It is suggested that rapid changes in the environment, caused by the pulsation of violent mesoscale upwelling at the shelf edge, result in an increased mortality in zooplankton. Considerations are made on the role of copepod detritus in the upwelling region.