CCAMLR

Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) on the Statistical Subarea 48.2 have been monitored consistently during the last five (5) years, producing scientific data for making progress towards an estimate of the Toothfish fishery potential yield for the Subarea 48.2. This document outlook a new Chilean research plan which will complement the current state of scientific data and also helping overcome detected issues.

This document describes a plan to finalize toothfish survey and by-way research in the Subarea 48.1 by the Ukrainian vessel CALIPSO, as a renewal of the toothfish survey in Subarea 48.1 (WG-FSA-19/17) in a season 2020/21. The survey within the season 2019/2020 has been aborted due big by-catch Macrourus spp., what has caused an exhaustion of the quota on this species in a short time. Revising of the research plan is based on the data and the experience, already obtained by the research team at this marine area last years.

Mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) is one of the most common and widespread species of Antarctic fish. Ukraine proposes to conduct a survey of Champsocephalus gunnari in the statistical Subarea 48.2. The main objective of the research is to determine the distribution and the abundance of Champsocephalus gunnari in the Subarea 48.2.

A research plan for Subarea 88.3 was commenced by Korea in 2016 under CM 24-01, New Zealand joined the proposal in 2017. The joint research proposal was for 3 years covering the period 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. It was designed to build on Korea’s previous research by continuing to focus on research blocks where tagged fish have previously been released on the slope, while also prospecting two of the northern seamount complexes and two boxes on the continental shelf, where no research has occurred. Following a proposal from the Ukraine to join the research plan in 2018, the Scientific Committee requested an integrated proposal be developed for all three Members (SC XXXVII paragraph 3.191). This proposal updates the final year (19/20 fishing season) of the research plan with the recommendation from the Scientific Committee to integrate the Ukrainian research with the Korean and New Zealand research plan. We propose to continue the research on Dissostichus spp. in Subarea 88.3 from 2020/21 to 2022/23. The main objective of the proposal is to determine the abundance and distribution of Antarctic toothfish in Subarea 88.3. Secondary objectives are to improve understanding of stock and population structures of toothfish in Statistical Area 88, to carry out calibration trials among the vessels, to collect data on the spatial and depth distributions of bycatch species, and to trial scientific electronic monitoring technologies.

The Russian toothfish resource research program in the Ross Sea MPA is fully in line with the priorities of the Research and Monitoring Plan for the Ross Sea MPA. The program is being implemented under the conservation measure 24-01. The program description is structured in accordance with the requirements of CM 24-01. The design of longline surveys, a system for collecting and processing data are presented, paying particular attention to toothfish tagging procedures.

For season 2020/21 the program provides for the participation of one Russian vessel and one vessel of a CCAMLR member. In accordance with the recommendation of  WGFSA -2019, the resource provision of the program will be 140 tons with a total number of longline sets of 81. The reporting system for the results of the program fully meets the requirements of the Scientific Committee. Research proponent self-assessment form is shown as Annex 2. Vessel tagging procedures survey is shown be the Annex 3.

The Scientific Committee considered the assessment of Dissostichus spp. in data-poor fisheries to be of a high priority (SC-CAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 3.125 to 3.145). The use of different gear types for the implementation of a multi-Member research on Dissostichus spp. in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) in the seasons 2011/12 - 2017/18 is a critical factor for their   efficiency and reliability. In the context of the discussion of the Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR-XXXVII p.3.338-3.144) we propose the research program on Dissostichus spp by the  multi-vessels  in Divisions 58.4.1  for seasons 2020/21-2022/23 based on standardized   sampling longline gear  and survey stratified  design.  It is planned  participation of one the Russian vessel  as well a the vessels of Member countries. The program is carries out under the CM 24-01. The description of the program is presented  in accordance with Appendix CM 24-01/A. Research proponent self-assessment form is shown as Annex 1. Vessel tagging procedures survey is shown be the Annex 2.