At the EEM-15, it was agreed that detailed information on survey design of the dedicated cetacean sighting vessel-based krill (CSVK) survey by Japan, would be submitted with data from the first of these annual surveys to the next meeting of WG-SAM (2016), to assess the survey design, in particular the trade-offs between the primary goal of gathering information on cetaceans versus the secondary goal of gathering information on krill. This paper summarizes the information of survey design and results of the first CSVK survey in East Antarctica (115°-130°E) conducted during the 2015/16 austral summer season. The survey was designed for the main purpose of obtaining systematic sighting data for whale abundance estimates. Along the sighting track-lines, krill survey (based on echo-sounder and net sampling) and oceanographic survey (based on CTD) as well some feasibility studies on biopsy sampling and telemetry in Antarctic minke whales, and routine photo-id and biopsy sampling on large whales, were also conducted. Technical input from the WG-SAM 16 will be useful to improve the survey plan for the next multidiscipline survey in 2016/17. 

This paper presents a proposal for a longline survey connecting the currently undertaken surveys in Subarea 48.2 with the established fishery in Subarea 48.4. The research objectives include determining population connectivity between these Subareas, improving understanding of Dissostichus sp population structures in this region, and improving available data on bathymetry and associated distributions of benthic bycatch species. This proposal includes a three-year data collection and two-year data analysis plan towards the development of a stock hypothesis for the northern regions of 48.2 and southern regions of 48.4.

Depredation is experienced by several fisheries within the CCAMLR Area, however not all fisheries have a data collection programme that is sufficiently long established, or detailed, to allow for model estimation of the lost catch. A new method was developed in 2014 that used an observed change in ratios of toothfish to grenadiers on depredated longlines, and proved to estimate losses similarly to a depredation model. Here this method was adapted for Subarea 48.3 and compared to the outputs from an alternative long-standing model estimation approach feeding into the CASAL assessment for toothfish. The new method performed similarly to the established method both in estimating total losses, and identifying spatial patterns.

Three Korean fishing vessels conducted toothfishes longline fishery in Southern Indian Ocean area (i.e. Area 51) from 2011 to 2013, and information on the collected 10 CCAMLR tag recaptures is being submitted.

We submitted the results on analysis of conversion factors of Antartic toothfish, Dissostichus mawsoni in accordance with decision of Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR-XXXIV, paragraphs 3.93 and 3.94). This report analyzed the conversion factor of toothfishes caught by Korean bottom long-line fishing vessels that operated in CCAMLR Convention Area in 2015/16 fishing season

Korean research fishing was conducted in Subarea 88.3 from 8 February 2016 to 5 March 2016 in 2015/16 fishing season. The total number of days fished are 41 of 76 days stayed in the fishing grounds. The total catch of D. mawsoni was 106,241 kg with 5,227 individuals, and their CPUE recorded 0.19 kg/hook. 566 individuals of D. mawsoni were tagged and released. Tagging rate and tag overlap statistics in Subarea 88.3 were 5.3 and 82%, respectively. Length frequency of D. mawsoni had two peaks and both small and large individuals are believed to inhabit area 88.3. The maturity of D. mawsoni dominated that stage 1 and 2 had high proportion among the maturity stages during the survey period. To get biological information of species in detail, otolith, stomach contents, gonad and muscle were collected from each individual of D. mawsoni. We also collected temperature and salinity using CTD at 9 stations.

The research fishing was conducted in Division 58.4.1 from 9 January 2016 to 21 March 2016 in 2015/16 fishing season. One additional national observer was on board to perform various scientific researches. The total catch of D. mawsoni was 227,220 kg with 6,642 individuals. The CPUE of D. mawsoni recorded 0.31 kg/hook. 1,138 individuals of D. mawsoni and 5 individuals of D. eleginoides were tagged and released and additionally satellite archival tags were attached to 5 individuals of D. mawsoni. In Division 58.4.1, tagging rate and tag overlap statistics of D. mawsoni were 5.0 and 82 %, respectively. Five individuals of tagged D. mawsoni were recaptured, and a satellite archival tag was also collected from one of the individuals released during 2014/15 fishing season. The research vessel, Kingstar has encountered unknown vessels and fishing gears during research fishing in SSRU C and E of the Division 58.4.1 and reported the information to the Secretariat. To get biological information of species, otolith, stomach contents, gonad, muscle, liver and gill were collected from each individual of D. mawsoni. Total 20 times of plankton sampling were conducted in the area of Division 58.4.1. A Compact CTD (Micro CAT, SBE37SMP) planned to be used in Division 58.4.1 could not operate due to technical issues with the CTD connector. A thermometer of vessel was used for measuring the surface temperature, while observing sea ice.

Throughout exploratory longline fishing within Division 58.4.1 Australian vessel FV Antarctic Discovery deployed benthic video camera systems 15 times and environmental data loggers 33 times. Substrate was generally soft sediments or a combination of soft sediments and cobble stones. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem indicator species were seen in low numbers within videos. The data collected during the 2015/16 season provides the beginnings of a dataset to allow for spatially-explicit habitat-use models for toothfish. 

Robust stock assessments and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2, and precautionary management arrangements are in place as set out in Conservation Measures 41-11 and 41-05. A research plan (WG-FSA-15/47 Rev. 1) was developed under Conservation Measure 41–01 for an Australian vessel, FV Antarctic Discovery, to participate in exploratory fishing within these Divisions. This paper reports on the fishing operation, catch composition, tagging and biological sampling undertaken by Australia in SSRUs 58.4.1E and 58.4.1G. A total of 82 research lines were completed over 27 fishing days between 29th January and 4th March 2016. Vessel logbooks recorded a total of 51980.9 kg of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and 581.6 kg of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides). Macroscopic evaluation of maturity stage indicated that both immature and mature (gonad stage ≥ 3) D. mawsoni were present in both SSRUs. The most commonly caught bycatch group was grenadiers (Macrourus spp.), followed by icefish (Channichthyidae), moray cods (Muraenolepis spp.), skates (Rajiformes) and violet cod (Antimora rostrata). Target and bycatch species were sampled for total length, standard length, whole weight, sex and gonad stage in accordance with Conservation Measure 41-01. A total of 247 D. mawsoni and 16 D. eleginoides were tagged, and 3 D. mawsoni were recaptured. Voyage outcomes are evaluated in relation to the current stock hypothesis for the region, and their progress towards achievement of the research objectives outlined in WG-FSA-15/47 Rev. 1. This is a companion paper to Maschette et al. (2016) which reports on the collection of environmental data under Objective 2 of the research plan.