CCAMLR

An initiative to support research and monitoring of the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (RSRMPA) through satellite tagging and otolith microchemistry of Antarctic toothfish (Dissosticus mawsoni) within the RSRMPA is proposed. The objectives of this initiative are twofold. The first is to deploy a total 20 pop-off satellite tags (PSAT) on juvenile toothfish within the General Protection Zone (GPZ(i)), as well as adult toothfish the northern seamounts associated with the Pacific Antarctic Ridge. The PSAT component will provide insight into movements between various regions of the Ross Sea, potentially including different zones of the RSRMPA, and vertical movements in the water column. The otolith microchemistry component is designed address key gaps in relation to the Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish life history hypothesis and relationships to the RSRMPA. This includes whether D. mawsoni on the Ross Sea shelf contribute to adult aggregations over the Pacific Antarctic Ridge, and whether ecosystem services are provided in the form of fish exported from the RSRMPA GPZ(i) to habitats downstream. This initiative is dependent on CCAMLR endorsing the proposed continuation of the Ross Sea shelf survey to monitor abundance of Antarctic toothfish in the southern Ross Sea in 2018/19 (Stevens et al., 2018), and a winter longline survey of Antarctic toothfish in the northern region of Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 (Delegation of New Zealand, 2018).

This paper aims to advance the dialogue about the development of a revised RMP for the SOI SS MPA in order to further the harmonisation of CM 91-03 and CM 91-04, whilst recognising and aiming to contribute to the wider context of the MPA planning processes in Domain 1, and as appropriate, Domain 3.

In 2008, CCAMLR agreed that the establishment of a representative system of marine protected areas (RSMPA) by 2012 was a priority. This assessment shows that the Scientific Committee and Commission can be kept informed of progress towards this goal using a relatively short list of simple criteria that are based on robust ecological and experimental design principles, and the Commission’s objectives. This study indicates that the currently designated marine protected areas provide important contributions towards a RSMPA, however we are not there yet. Establishment of the proposed MPAs in Domain 1, Weddell Sea and East Antarctica would make significant contribution towards a RSMPA under a scientific definition of representation, and enable CCAMLR to focus efforts on the remaining values yet to be included in proposals.

The CAMLR Scientific Committee in 2017 reviewed the scientific background document SC-CAMLR- XXXVI/BG/28. Germany was asked to carry out further work, in particular as regards the issues and questions raised at WG-EMM-17 and SC-CAMLR-XXXVI with respect to the WSMPA proposal (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.1-5.14).

Chapter 1 reflects on the recommendations concerning the suitability of some data layers for Marxan analyses, such as the data layer representing the distribution of Antarctic krill larvae (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.9 - 5.10). Chapter 2 discusses the recommendations concerning the suitability of the cost layer developed for the WSMPA Marxan analysis (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.10 and 5.12) and presents the updated cost layer. Chapter 3 provides a new data layer on juvenile Antarctic toothfish, and Chapter 4 presents a robustness testing of the WSMPA Marxan model.

The D1MPA planning process has been characterized as inclusive and transparent taking into account Members’ varying interests. In 2017 a D1MPA preliminary proposal was introduced to the Scientific Committee which scientific background was considered comprehensive and appropriate, and where further consideration of fishing activities were highlighted as needed to develop an agreed set of boundaries. This paper provides further information in relation to krill fisheries and the decisions taken in support of the D1MPA proposal, also including comments from the D1MPA Expert Group.

Domain 1 faces changes to the climate and changes in the operation of the fishery, in which the recent D1MPA preliminary proposal is of particular importance. In this context, the identification of a comprehensive network of reference areas across environmental gradients can play a major role and have significant benefits in understanding change. Existing monitoring programmes and study sites in Domain 1, including integrating programmes such as SOOS, are a strong foundation on which to build scientific reference areas and facilitate coordination and cooperation among Members, as part of a Research and Monitoring Plan for D1MPA.

A principal concern with implementing marine protected areas (MPAs) is the displacement of fishing effort from closed areas, which may result in new and unexpected consequences for both fisheries and the ecosystem. Understanding such outcomes is critical in the Southern Ocean, where MPAs are actively being discussed for achieving a range of protection and sustainable use objectives. Here, we evaluated two MPA scenarios and associated displacements of the Antarctic krill fishery in the Scotia Sea by quantifying their potential to affect risks of depleting krill-dependent predators and costs to the fishery. We employed both a static assessment (based on the design of each MPA scenario and the distributions of krill fishing and krill-dependent predators) and a dynamic risk assessment (based on a minimally realistic, spatially explicit ecosystem model), and considered three alternative redistributions of displaced catches. We found that neither MPA scenario increased the risks of depleting krill predators when closed areas included ca. 80% of predator foraging distributions, but differences between the scenarios suggest ways to improve protection of seals and penguins in the Scotia Sea. Both scenarios could increase total fishery yields, but this benefit came with costs. Realized catches were smaller proportions of overall catch limits, and there was a greater likelihood that low krill densities would cause the fishery to suspend operations. The three alternatives for redistributing displaced fishing had little effect on risks to predators, but evenly redistributing displaced fishing among open areas could be more costly for the fishery than permitting vessels to self-sort among the same areas. Collectively, our results suggest a well-designed MPA in the Scotia Sea may protect krill-dependent predators, preclude requirements for further spatial management of fishing outside its boundaries, and substitute for spatially explicit catch limits in the Antarctic krill fishery.

A significant spatial-temporal variability of the oceanological environmental conditions influencing the formation of biological productivity zone in Subareas 48.5 and 48.6 is revealed.  Analysis of available information for the development of the stock hypothesis for Antarctic toothfish stock in Area 48 requires consideration of environmental variability, especially with the fragmentary nature of these data at all stages of the toothfish life. Otherwise, the results may be insufficiently sound for the development   of an adequate stock hypothesis for D. mawsoni in Area 48.

The development of this stock hypothesis requires the availability of actual data obtained in course of the adequate researches.  Large-scale international multi-vessel surveys in Area 48 as a source of this actual data are proposed.  Some proposal for these surveys have been shown in WS-SM-18/* by the Russian Federation.

The use of MPAs for spatial management in the Convention Area requires, above all, clarity regarding the requirements for the available scientific evidence and information to designate MPAs, including its rationale, planning and functioning. The corresponding proposals are discussed in this paper.

Taking into account the results of the WS-DmPH workshop (Berlin, 2018), proposals are being considered to obtain actual adequate data for the development of a hypothesis on the Dissostichus mawsoni life history and to facilitate the assessment of its stock in Area 48.