CCAMLR

The stock of Antarctic toothfish (D. mawsoni) in CCAMLR subarea 48.4 was estimated from tagging returns to be 1,027 tonnes during the  2013/14 season. In previous years the harvest rate used for Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) in Subarea 48.3 (γ = 0.038) has been used as a precautionary harvest rate which would imply a 2014/15 yield of 35 tonnes compared to the 2013/14 TAC of 24 tonnes.
 

In June 2014, the ICED programme, the British Antarctic Survey and WWF co-hosted a two day workshop entitled “Understanding the objectives for krill fishing and conservation in the Scotia Sea and Antarctic Peninsula region” which involved participants from the science, conservation, and fishing industry sectors.  The workshop used structured dialogue, led by an independent facilitator, to explore each sector’s objectives and information requirements for the krill‐based ecosystem and to identify constructive ways for the three sectors to work together. The issue of krill-fishing has previously provoked passionate debate but participants in this workshop showed broad cross-sector accord. This included shared commitment to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and support for management of the krill fishery that minimises the risk of negative impacts on ecosystem health. Participants generally agreed that current levels of fishing have a low risk of significant impacts but that there is no need to increase catch limits.  Participants also agreed that the objectives of management must include a healthy krill stock and a healthy ecosystem. However, they were not able to define ecosystem states that are desirable or healthy. This reflects the gaps in the currently available information and the indirect nature of the links between the krill-based ecosystem and human well being. The workshop produced a range of recommendations including the need to articulate a clear research and development strategy to support progress in the management of the krill fishery; and to improve communication between The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and its stakeholders. The workshop also revealed a cooperative and productive relationship between the various sectors. Further cross-sector work could progress some key tasks such as identifying priority information requirements and assessing the potential future demand for krill catch.

Sampling methods to determine the composition and nature of the catch of the longlining fishery around CCAMLR Subarea 48.3 have, to date, been limited to in situ line observations conducted by CCAMLR observers deployed on the fishing fleet. The collection of this data is important for the assessment and management of the fishery. This independent estimation of the total catch in the fishery requires considerable effort and cost with mixed results.  For example it is not always possible to achieve a reasonable figure/rate of line observation for each setting of the lines. A video recording system was installed on a longliner targeting toothfish in CCAMLR Subarea 48.3. This system provided 100% of coverage of all setting and hauling activities on this vessel. It proved to be reliable, easy to set up by the observer/crew and does not require structural modifications on the vessel. Fishing events were divided in settings and hauling operations where at-sea observations were matched with video footage recorded then divided into sessions termed ‘slots’. During settings, 284,800 hooks distributed in 31 slots totalling 31 hours and 57 minutes were observed and recorded. For hauling, a total of 53,403 hooks were randomly selected and observed at sea. The total amount of video footage recorded during these observations was 40 hours and 42 minutes, divided into 62 slots. Data gathered from at-sea observations conducted by a scientific observer was compared with recorded video footage recorded by 3 different video reviewers watching the video footage. No significant differences were found in the number of all species of vertebrate counted in situ and in the video footage by the different video reviewers (observers). However catch composition for invertebrates showed high discrepancy between in situ and footage observations.

This paper describes a preliminary CASAL based assessment of Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) in Subarea 48.4. The assessment data are updated with the observations for the 2013/14 season and sensitivity analyses conducted using the maturity ogive from the area 48.3 and revised growth assumptions. The revised assessment is compared with the previous assessment for this stock. Stock projections indicate that an annual yield of 40 tonnes is consistent with the application of the CCAMLR harvest control rule. Links with other toothfish stocks are discussed based on tag recaptures. 

During the 2014 experimental season extension in CCAMLR sub-Area 48.3 a single line caught 74 white chinned petrels, which is the most significant incidental mortality event in the fishery for over 10 years. The circumstances associated with the event were investigated and a review of seabird mortality in the fishery undertaken. The mortality event occurred on a “Spanish” system longline that was partly set after Nautical Twilight (dawn), so was in breach of CM25-02. Although the line was partly set after Nautical Twilight other factors may have contributed to this event. A review of available data indicates that, while the risk of seabird mortality is slightly higher in April, autoline vessels very rarely catch seabirds. In accordance with CM 41-02, there will not be a season extension in 2014/15. Options for possible future season extensions are discussed.

Data were collected at Bird Island and King Edward Point, South Georgia, at Signy Island, South Orkneys and at Goudier Island, Antarctic Peninsula for the period April 2013 to March 2014. Surveys of beached marine debris at Bird Island recorded a total of 252 and 376 items during winter (April to September 2013) and summer (October 2013 to March 2014) respectively. Surveys at Signy Island (operational during summer only; 26 November 2013 to 13 March 2014) recorded a total of 2 items of beached marine debris. Entanglements of 14 Antarctic fur seals were observed at Bird Island, 9 at King Edward Point and zero at Signy Island and Goudier Island. In total, 88 items of marine debris were found in association with seabird colonies at Bird Island, most commonly in association with wandering albatrosses (40 items). There were no reports of beached marine debris at Goudier Island, and one incidence of hydrocarbon soiling (Bird Island) during the reporting period. Overall, the occurrence of beached marine debris was above the long-term mean at Bird Island during both summer and winter and was the second highest ever recorded in the 24 years of summer surveys and fourth highest ever recorded in 23 years of winter surveys at Bird Island. In contrast, the occurrence of beached marine debris at Signy Island was the lowest ever recorded in 24 years of surveys. The incidence of marine mammal entanglements was below the long-term mean at Bird Island and Signy Island but equal to the mean at King Edward Point. Debris associated with seabird colonies was below the mean level for wandering albatrosses and grey-headed albatrosses but above the mean for black-browed albatrosses and giant petrels.

Germany intends to present the Scientific Committee the background document that provides the scientific basis for the evaluation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Weddell Sea. Please note, that the current state of the background document presents a comprehensive yet incomplete first version concerning chapters that have to be (further) developed or revised. The contents and structure of the document reflect also its main objectives, i.e. (i) to set out the general background and context of the establishment of MPAs, (ii) to describe the boundaries of the Weddell Sea MPA Planning Area, (iii) to inform on the data retrieval process, (iv) to provide - for the first time- a comprehensive, yet succinct, general description of the Weddell Sea ecosystem to reflect the state of the science, and additionally to present the results of the various preliminary scientific analyses that were carried out so far within the framework of the MPA Weddell Sea project, and finally (v) to describe future work beyond the development of the scientific basis for the evaluation of a Weddell Sea MPA.