Data on beach surveys, debris associated with seabird colonies, marine mammal entanglements and hydrocarbon soilings were received for 2014 from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. Non-fishing items such as plastics, packaging materials and wood remain the most common type of debris items found in beach surveys. The fishing items found were mostly from longline and trawl origins. Plastic packaging bands continue to be found in beach surveys, with an unfortunate increase in closed bands found at King George Island. Overall, the amount of debris in colonies of grey-headed albatrosses, wandering albatrosses and black-browed albatrosses at Bird Island continues to decrease, with the major category of items found being plastics. The amount of fishing related items (fishing lines and hooks) found in wandering albatross colonies remains the most frequent debris item found in each season. The number of marine mammal entanglements has remained relatively constant at Bird Island but continues to decrease at King Edward Point. Packaging bands and fishing gear remain the main entangling materials. There was only one new hydrocarbon soiling reported from Bird Island in 2014. The results of the ongoing monitoring of marine debris in the Convention Area suggest that while the type and amount of debris varies annually there have been no long-term trends over the past decade. Extrapolation of these findings to areas outside Area 48 are limited by the absence of data on long-term monitoring of marine debris and Members with opportunities to engage in such monitoring are encouraged to submit data to the Secretariat.
Abstract:
Japan and South Africa initiated a multi-year research plan in Statistical Subarea 48.6 as outlined in CM 41-04 (2012 & 2013) during the 2012/13 fishing season. Progress achieved during the 2012/13 season and the first seven months of the 2013/14 season are reported. This paper updates and replaces WG-SAM-14/10.
Over the first 19 months of the Research fishery a total of 279 Dissostichus eleginoides and 2161 D. mawsoni have been tagged and released, and 42 tagged toothfish have been recaptured. Even though almost 50% of the recaptures are within season the progress in the northern section of Subarea 48.6 is encouraging. By the end of the 2014/15 fishing season there should be sufficient data to undertake tag-based assessment of the Dissostichus resource in the north of Subarea 48.6.
We express concern over the rise of IUU activity in Subarea 48.6 and the possible negative consequences for the resource and the research being undertaken.
