Diel vertical migration (DVM) is a survival strategy adopted by zooplankton that was investigated in the Corsica Channel using acoustic data from April 2014 to November 2016. The principal aim of the study is to characterize migratory patterns and biomass temporal evolution along the water column. In addition, net samples were taken during summer 2015 at the same location. During the investigated period, zooplankton had a well-defined daily and seasonal cycle, with peaks in late winter.

Zooplankton and fishes found below a depth of 200 m may perform a vertical migration to the surface waters. The migration patterns (from 400 m to the surface) of four groups of organisms were studied in the deep (1500 m) eastern Mediterranean (Cretan Sea) for 2.5 years. The lunar cycle, daylight duration, cloudiness and presence of predators and prey explain their migration variability. This phenomenon is important as it constitutes an active transport of organic matter over large distances.