BIOMASS OF BATHYAL MACROBENTHOS IN THE REGION OF THE SUBTROPICAL CONVERGENCE, CHATHAM RISE, NEW-ZEALAND

Biomass estimates of macrobenthic infauna were determined at 23 anchor -box dredge stations positioned along three transects across the Chath am Rise, New Zealand, at water depths of 244-1394 m. Biomass ranged fr om 2.6 to 110.7 g wet preserved weight m-2. On the north side of the R ise biomass showed a logarithmic decline with water depth comparable t o other bathyal regions, but estimates for the south side showed no su ch relationship and were higher than expected. It is suggested that hi gh estimates on the south side are related to enhanced primary product ivity at the Subtropical Convergence, which overlies the Chatham Rise.