CCAMLR

The present document reflects on a series of documents, comments and suggestions made during the intersessional discussions since the D1MPA preliminary proposal was introduced by Argentina and Chile in 2017 at CCAMLR XXXVI. It also includes the suggestions and reviews (WG-EMM, Buenos Aires, 2017; Scientific Committee, Hobart, 2017) proposed by the Expert Group and the information provided for papers discussed during the recent workshop on Spatial management held in Cambridge, 2018. In particular, this document provides detailed information about the rationalization carried out to each suggestion made during the meetings detailed above, and includes new information about the identification of krill areas, scientific references areas, and other research activities such as those focused on Dissostichus spp. The specific changes made to the D1MPA model since the preliminary proposal are discussed in PART A.

The present paper reflects on a series of documents, comments and suggestions made during the intersessional discussions since the D1MPA preliminary proposal was introduced by Argentina and Chile in 2017 at CCAMLR XXXVI. It also includes the suggestions and reviews (WG-EMM, Buenos Aires, 2017; Scientific Committee, Hobart, 2017) proposed by the Expert Group and the information provided for papers discussed during the recent workshop on Spatial management held in Cambridge, 2018. Thus, this document provides detailed information about the rationalization carried out to each suggestion made during the meetings detailed above, and includes new information about the identification of krill areas, scientific references areas, and other research activities such as those focused on Dissostichus spp. The changes included since the preliminary proposal of the D1MPA model are discussed in PART B.

This document presents the analysis of acoustic data obtained during the austral summer of 2018 as a complement to finfish research in Subareas 48.1 and 48.2 using bottom trawling nets. The acoustic information survey was carried out with a SIMRAD EK80 wide band scientific echosounder at a frequency of 38 kHz and a SIMRAD ES70 fishing echosounder equipped with a 120 kHz frequency transducer. The geographical distribution of krill concentrations and the presence of fish shoals are described in an area of 1,699 nautical miles over the continental shelf and slope (50-500 m) around Elephant Island (579 nm) and South Orkney Islands (1,120 nm). Concentrations of krill (Euphausia superba), the pelagic species with the greatest presence in the studied area, are described, mainly to the north of both islands. Likewise, mackerel icefish (Chamsocephalus gunnari) are identified, forming large concentrations in steep slope areas, mostly around Elephant Island. This species presents demersal characteristics during the day and pelagic characteristics at night. Additionally, some echoic records registered in the water column are presented, attributed to "Other species" of fish.

It is shown that   the proposals for the establishment of an MPA in the Weddell Sea should be complemented by information on the commercial potential and future rational use for dominant fish species and krill  in the Subarea 48.5 and 48, 6.  

The areas for fishing activity and protection areas  in the Weddell Sea  should be managed by separate Conservation Measures.

It is shown that the WS MPA boundaries should be revised in compliance with sea-ice conditions for vessel navigation being a fundamental factor for the successful completion of assigned research tasks in designated areas.   Spatial planning in the Weddell Sea should make provisions that ice-free areas are areas for planning MPAs and fishing activities

A new fish leech Ambulobdella shandikovi n. g., n. sp. (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae), a parasite of Whitson’s grenadier Macrourus whitsoni (Regan) (Macrouridae: Gadiformes) collected in the Ross Sea at depths from 1,221 to 1,433 m, is described and compared with related taxa based on morphological and molecular characters. Ambulobdella shandikovi n. sp. is characterised by prominent segmental tubercles on the venter and dorsal segmental tubercles, an uncommon appearance of its anterior sucker with earlike edges and an inner membrane around the mouthpore, well-developed musculature and a unique combination of features of the reproductive and digestive systems. The presence of uncommon tubercles can be attributed, in part, to temporary associations of A. shandikovi n. sp. with its fish hosts and a need for well developed sensory and locomotory organs. A certain locomotory function of ventrolateral tubercles of A. shandikovi n. sp. is hypothesised and discussed. Further deep-sea surveys are obviously needed to shed light on the behaviour and mode of locomotion of this species.

In the fishing season of 2018, three Ukrainian fishing vessels SIMEIZ, KOREIZ, CALIPSO collected oceanographic data (salinity and temperature) in Subareas 88.1, 88.2, 48.2. Some preliminary results presented.

In the stomachs of caught Dissostichus mawsoni, specimen of the Dissostichus species with tag found.