ICES involvement in IGY 1957/58 with special emphasis on marine biology

After 1882/1883 and 1932/1933, a third International Polar Year was envisaged for 1957/1958. During the preparatory phase, the suggestion was made to cover the whole earth and to call this the International Geophysical Year. Ocean physics were included and, based on Sverdrup’s proposal, ICES assumed responsibility for coordination in the Northeast Atlantic and the Arctic region. In addition to hydrographic measurements, chemical and biological measurements were also included in the programme. The hydrographic investigations led to a completely new insight into the dynamics in this area, whereas the chemical and biological measurements, at first glance, appeared to have been mainly a required exercise to get ICES involved. However, in the long run, their value lay in the identification of seasonal changes in the composition and distribution of plankton in the open sea.