The Ross Sea shelf survey has been conducted annually since 2012, with the most recent revised proposal presented in 2017 and spanning five years (2018–2022). This paper:
serves as notification for the 2021 survey under CM 24-01 following the survey design proposed in WG-SAM-17/39, and annual notifications in WG-FSA-18/41 and WG-SAM-19/03;
fulfils the new requirement for a self-assessment of research proposals;
provides updated information needed for CM 24-05;
proposes a catch limit allocation mechanism for the survey; and
updates the milestone achievement table.
Abstract:
A collaborative research program has been undertaken by Japan and South Africa since 2013 to enhance data collection and analysis in the subarea 48.6 under CM 21-02. Spain has joined the proposal starting from 2018/19 fishing season in order to contribute to the data acquisition and to speed up the integrated assessments of the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) stock in this subarea (WG-FSA-18/34).
The continuation of the three-member research proposal for 2020/21 season is presented to ensure continuity of previous research activities. Data and investigations about the population structure and various demographic parameters of D. mawsoni using trotline (JPN and ZAF) and Spanish longline (ESP) gears, established tagging techniques, pop-up tags and genetic analysis will provide the basis for the development of spatial population models and assessments in support of management advice. An Integrated Stock Assessment (ISA) of this species is expected to be done by the end of the 2020/21 season.
The research plan and its implementation remains largely unchanged as it was reviewed in 2019 (WG-FSA-2019/23), with the only change being the introduction of the operational details concerning the replacement of the Japanese fishing vessel Shinsei-maru No.3 to Shinsei-maru No.8, with the same crew and fishing gear (fishing method: Trotline system).
The updated CCAMLR Research Plan – Research Proponent Self-Assessment can be found in Appendix 1.
