CCAMLR

The CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) was established in 1985 with the aim to detect and record significant changes in critical components of the Antarctic ecosystem, and to differentiate between changes due to commercial harvesting of resources and those arising from natural variability. This paper provides general, background information on CEMP including approximate straight line distances between the main sampling sites, the location of sites with respect to small-scale management units and the matrix of data submitted to the Secretariat.

The CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program uses indices derived from data on indicator species and the environment collected by standard methods within the three Integrated Study Regions of the Convention Area. Standardised index values are re-calculated each year as new data become available, and trends and anomalies in these data are presented.

A history of development and completion of tasks put forward by WG-EMM is summarised for the period from 2001 to 2002 (SC-CAMLR-XXI, Annex 4, paragraph 6.41). This is the first set or records since the adoption by WG-EMM in 2001 of a new five-year plan of work. A history of tasks for the period from 1995 to 2001 is archived in WG-EMM-02/12.

The proposed terms of reference of the WG-EMM Advisory Subgroup on Protected areas are presented "in a manner that properly places the tasks in context" of CCAMLR decisions (SC-CAMLR- XXI, paragraph 5.15; SC-CAMLR-XXI, Annex 4, paragraph 5.15).

Krill escapement in different parts of krill trawls and their differentiated catchability have been studied. It is shown that krill possesses behavioural peculiarities representing considerable importance for catching results. It is proved that the estimation of density and size structure of fished krill swarms should be performed on the based of differentiated catchability of krill trawls. A mathematical model of krill trawling has been developed for estimating the above values.

VNIRO has carried out monitoring of sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) in Subarea 48.3 (South Georgia). Current satellite surveys provide constant information for modern appreciation of changing the mean monthly SST and SST anomalies during recent years. Daily satellite data from GOES-E and real-time data from vessels and buoy stations are processed to develop initial weekly SST maps. For quantitative analysis of variations in temperature distribution in South Georgia waters we randomly selected two grid cells (sell 1 and sell 2) on the SST map which have a resolution of 2°x2° and are centered at 54°S 41°W and 53°S 37°W respectively. This work is continuing.

Haematozoan infections cause the death of penguins in captivity, but seldom in the wild. No haematozoa were found in 89 blood smears taken from macaroni penguins Eudyptes chrysolophus or 80 smears from eastern rock-hopper penguins E. chrysocome filholi at subantarctic Marion Island between October and November 2001. Discussion centres on the possibility of vector introduction and establishment under conditions of climatic and/or anthropogenic change.

During the period 17–22 December 2001, the onshore distribution and the abundance of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and Subantarctic fur seals A. tropicalis were determined for Prince Edward Island (46°38´S, 37°57´E). Two breeding colonies of Antarctic fur seals were located on the south-east coast of the island; the first a mixed (with Subantarctic fur seals) breeding colony with an estimated 24 pups on a vegetated promontory on the northern section of Boggel Beach, and the second, a presumably pure Antarctic fur seal breeding colony with an estimated 380 pups, at Penguin Beach. At a mean intrinsic rate of natural increase of 13.7% per year, Antarctic fur seals appear to be in the rapid recolonization phase of population growth. Breeding colonies of Subantarctic fur seals, largely found on the entire east coast, produced an estimated 15 000 pups, and the population had maintained a mean intrinsic rate of natural increase of some 9.5% per year since 1987/88.

The number of Crozet shags or cormorants Phalacrocorax [atriceps] melanogenis breeding at subantarctic Marion Island decreased by 68% from 841 pairs in 1994/95 to 272 pairs in 2002/03. The mean number of pairs at colonies also decreased and was significantly related to the overall number of birds breeding in any given season. The decreases coincided with a period of warming and reduced precipitation at Marion Island and with a decrease in the number of gentoo penguins Pygoscelis papua breeding there. Both these seabird species forage inshore and there is considerable overlap in their diets. Nototheniid fish and the decapod Nauticaris marionis continued to be important in the diet of Crozet shags, but a change in dominance among nototheniid prey suggests availability of prey to shags changed after the mid 1980s. Crozet shags breed for the first time when aged three years. It is probable that about 25% of the mature population did not breed in 1997/98, coincident with a strong El Niño Southern Oscillation event. In four seasons, breeding pairs on average fledged 0.30 chicks from first clutches, an amount thought inadequate to sustain the population. Crozet shags at the Prince Edward Islands should now be regarded as Endangered. Placing breeding colonies in the most highly protected zone on Marion Island, considering the establishment of an ex situ population and undertaking a genetic study of the specific status of the Crozet shag are recommended conservation measures.

The numbers of gentoo penguins Pygoscelis papua breeding at subantarctic Marion Island fell by 40%, from 1994/95 to 2002/03 from 1 352 pairs to 806 pairs. Apart from a slight increase in 1998/99, there was a steady decrease in numbers breeding between 1995/96 and 2000/01, when the population stabilized. There is indication that in some years not all breeders nested and that some birds relocated to another colony after disturbance. From first clutches, pairs on average fledged between 0.01 chicks in 1997/98 and 0.58 chicks in 2002/03 (mean 0.38 ± 0.21). In 1994/95, replacement clutches increased the overall production of fledged chicks by 11%. Based on demographic parameters measured at other localities, the production of chicks at Marion Island was inadequate to maintain the population during the period 1995/96–2000/01. Consistency in trends in breeding success at five colonies suggests that factors operating at a mesoscale, rather than those specific to particular colonies, often influenced breeding success. Laying was later than normal in 1997/98, when there was almost total breeding failure with large losses of eggs and small chicks to returning Subantarctic skuas Catharacta antarctica. Future research on this Near Threatened species at Marion Island must take full account of its susceptibility to human disturbance.