Distribution of giant jellyfish and major zooplankton in jellyfish release area of Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea in early summer

Distribution of giant jellyfish and major zooplankton, the ecological type and dominant species of zooplankton, were analyzed based on the sampling data obtained during the surveys in jellyfish release area of Liaodong Bay, the Bohai Sea, in June and July, 2005-2007. The relationship between zooplankton and giant jellyfish abundance distribution was explored. The results showed that there were three major giant jellyfish, Rhopilema esculentum, Nemopilema nomurai and Cyanea nozakii and three major zooplankton, Acartia bifilosa, Paracalanus parvus and Paracalanus crassirostris in the survey area. Besides, Copepodid and nauplii were other two important zooplankton components. The distribution sites with high catch density of giant jellyfish were usually close to the distribution sites with highly abundant zooplankton.