CCAMLR

A survey was conducted in order to collect information for the stock status and various biological information on toothfish in Division 58.4.4a & b (Ob Lena Bank) by using a commercial bottom longline vessel, Shinsei Maru No. 3, from March 30 to May 2, 2011. This report described the results during the survey in two SSRUs (B & C) of Ob Lena Bank. Total catch (excluding fish released alive) of Dissostichus eleginoides and other by-catch species was 37.8 tonnes in the survey area in 70 longline sets. D. eleginoides showed the highest catch of 35.4 tonnes, contributing 93.6 % to the total catch. Mean CPUEs of D. eleginoides for 56 hauls where only trotline system was adopted in the SSRUs were 8.5 indiv. / km (CV = 53.5%; 15.3 indiv. / 1,000 hooks) in terms of number and 62.3 kg / km (CV = 76.0%; 111.2 kg / 1,000 hooks) in terms of weight. The mean CPUE in terms of weight in SSRU B (49.0 kg / km (CV = 85.1%)) was significantly lower than that (93.7 kg / km (CV = 61.7%)) in the same SSRU in the 2009/10 survey, although the CPUE in terms of number was same level between the years.  This may be due to the catch of small fish in the shallow area < 500 m in the 2010/11. A total of 189 individuals of toothfish with good physical condition were tagged and released during the survey, and 4 D. eleginoides, which were tagged and released in SSRU C during the 2007/08 and 2009/10, were recaptured in the same SSRU. The overlap of size between the fish released with tag and that of overall catch was considerably high (θ=95 %). There was a significant difference in physical composition between Spanish line and trotline (χ² test, P < 0.001), with the higher percentage of dead fish for trotline. It seems that smaller fish < 70 cm are more damaged than larger ones for trotline, as in BANZARE Bank. A total of ≥130 killer whales（Orcinus orca）were observed at the 35 hauls. Most of whales observed and the predatory damaged toothfish occurred in SSRU B.

A survey was conducted in order to collect information for the stock status and biology of toothfish in the southeast sector (24 allocated hauls) of Division 58.4.3b (BANZARE Bank), using a commercial bottom longline vessel Shinsei Maru No. 3, from May 7 to 16, 2011. Shinsei Maru Trot line system was used as fishing gear for 19 hauls. Comparison test using trotline and Spanish line systems were made for 5 hauls. Total catch (excluding fish released alive) of Dissostichus spp. and other bycatch species was 12.0 ton in the SE sector, where the catch limit of 15 ton was set. Mean CPUE of Dissostichus spp. was 58.8 kg / km (CV = 66.7%; 105.9 kg / 1,000 hooks) for the hauls where only trotline system was employed. This was lower than 69.6 kg / km (CV = 51.3%; 125.0 kg / 1,000 hooks) in the 2009/10 survey, although there was no significant difference. Total of 62 individuals of toothfish with good physical condition were tagged and released during the survey. No toothfish was recaptured. The overlap of size between the fish released with tag and that of overall catch was considerably high (85 % for D. mawsoni and 79 % for D. eleginoides). There was a significant difference in physical conditions of D. eleginoides between Spanish line and trotline (χ2 test, P < 0.05), with the higher percentage of bad condition (54.6 %) for trotline. It seems that smaller fish < 80 cm are more damaged than larger ones for trotline system in D. eleginoides.
An approximate stock biomass level of Dissostichus spp. in the survey area was estimated to be 174-175 ton, using CPUE x area and CPUE comparison methods. From this, the appropriate sample size in the next year survey was calculated to be 5.2 ton based on the criterion for the depleted stock shown in WG-FSA-10/42. However, the estimated biomasses using the two methods seem to be a quarter – a half underestimated compared to those using GYM at WG-FSA in 2010 in case of Ob-Lena Bank, and therefore we think that the total allowable size of 15 ton (ca. 3 times of 5.2 ton), along with the same survey designs as in the 2010/11, is appropriate for the next survey.
 

This paper is the second update to CCAMLR and the ATCM since the publication of the SCAR Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE) report (Turner et al., 2009a). The ACCE report was a first step in compiling a comprehensive assessment of scientific information on the climate system and ecosystem responses to change in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. The present paper, developed by the new SCAR ACCE Expert Group, highlights some recent advances in our knowledge of Antarctic climate science and associated impacts on the environment.

This Background Paper reports on progress with the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), noting in particular the importance of the SOOS to the work of CCAMLR and the key role of CCAMLR in implementation of the SOOS, for example through the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP). CCAMLR are invited to appoint an ex-officio representative to the SOOS Steering Committee.
A SOOS Initial Science and Implementation Strategy will be published in October 2011, an International Project Office has recently been established, hosted by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart, Australia, and an Executive Officer, Louise Newman has been appointed. Currently, a website is being developed and a Scientific Steering Committee is being selected.

Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) or "Chilean sea bass" support a valuable and
controversial fishery, yet their life history is not well understood and longevity estimates
range from approximately 20 to more than 50 years. In this study, lead-radium dating
provided valid ages for juvenile to older adult groups, which were consistent with the
counting of otolith growth zones in transverse otolith sections, and longevity estimates
exceeding 30 years. Lead-radium dating revealed minor biases between the radiometric age
and interpretation of growth zone counting for regional fishing areas monitored by two
facilities, Center for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology (CQFE) and the Central Ageing Facility
(CAF), using different age estimation techniques. For CQFE, under-ageing of ca. 3.3 years
was observed across estimated ages younger than 20 years. For the CAF, ages were
overestimated for young fish and underestimated for the oldest fish. Lead-radium dating
detected underlying problems in coordinating age estimation between geographically
separated fish stocks, and provided a framework to objectively assess otolith interpretation
and growth modeling between laboratories based on age-validated data.

The vessel Simeiz carried out Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean beyond EEZ from January till August 2011 in statistical divisions 41.3.1 and 41.3.2.

Whale observation data was collected abroad polish trawler Dalmor II that fished Antarctic krill in the CCAMLR statistical area 48. Observation details, group size, behavioral specific details were fixed. Also photo material was collected. There were 50 sightings of at least 280 individuals from March to July 2011. Vast majority sightings (90%) were minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis). Also humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were recorded.