The copepod fauna southwest of the British Isles includes a number of species which have their centre of distribution in the subtropical or tropical Atlantic. Among these, some species appear to be faunistically linked with the Iberian continental slope or slope waters even farther south along the NE Atlantic margin. It seems that these species reach their northeastern range by means of poleward-flowing currents. For example, CaEanoides carinatus has deep-living resting stages and ascends to surface waters only during its reproductive period, which is short at northern latitudes. Its main dwelling layers along the west Iberian continental slope cover the poleward-flowing undercurrent and the Mediterranean outflow water underneath. Part of the poleward flow regime tends to follow the slope bathymetry, i.e. it bends eastwards into the Bay of Biscay along northern Spain. Another part separates from the continental slope at Cape Finisterre and crosses the Bay of Eiiscay, approaching the continental slope at about 47" N, where it joins the north-westward flowing slope currents again. Because of its preference for the deeper layers during the long resting phase it is assumed that resting C. carinatus drifts mainly with the northward branch of the Mediterranean outflow water and penetrates only slightly into the inner Bay of Biscay. In contrast, Calanus helgolandicus has, on average, a shallower vertical distribution. Reproductively active individuals occur in the surface layers off western Iberia throughout the year. Here it drifts presumably northwards during late autumn and winter, but is recirculated southwards during late spring and summer. Due to advection with both the intermediatl-undercurrent and the variable near-surface currents, Calanus helgolandicus occurs more commonly in the inner IBay of Biscay than C. carinatus. 0 Elsevier, Paris Bay of Biscay I continental slope current I Mediterranean water I salinity minimum I copepod transport RCsumC-Transport de copCpodes par la circulation le long de la pente continentale du golfe de Gascogne. Au sudouest des iles Britanniques, la faune de copCpodes comprend de nombreuses espbces originaires de 1'Atlantique tropical ou subtropical. Certaines, likes B la faune de la pente continentale ibQique ou, plus au sud, B celle de la marge nord-est de l'titlantique, arriveraient avec les courants dirigCs vers le p81e. Ainsi, Calanoides carinatus se trouve en profondeur pendant ses pCriodes de repos et ne remonte dans les eaux de surface que pendant la ptriode de reproduction, b&e aux latitudes nord. Plongeant le long de la pente continentale & l'ouest de la pCninsule ibCrique, il atteint le sous-courant dirigC vers le p6le et les eaux sous-jacentes issues de la mer MtditerranCe. Une partie du flux suit la bathymktrie en direction de l'est et entre dans le golfe de Gascogne au nord de 1'Espagne. Une autre partie du flux quitte le talus continental au cap Finisterre et traverse le golfe de Gascogne pour retrouver, vers 47" N, la pente continentale et les courants orient& vers le