CCAMLR

Sampling methods to determine the composition and nature of the catch of the longlining fishery around CCAMLR Subarea 48.3 have, to date, been limited to in situ line observations conducted by CCAMLR observers deployed on the fishing fleet. The collection of this data is important for the assessment and management of the fishery. This independent estimation of the total catch in the fishery requires considerable effort and cost with mixed results.  For example it is not always possible to achieve a reasonable figure/rate of line observation for each setting of the lines. A video recording system was installed on a longliner targeting toothfish in CCAMLR Subarea 48.3. This system provided 100% of coverage of all setting and hauling activities on this vessel. It proved to be reliable, easy to set up by the observer/crew and does not require structural modifications on the vessel. Fishing events were divided in settings and hauling operations where at-sea observations were matched with video footage recorded then divided into sessions termed ‘slots’. During settings, 284,800 hooks distributed in 31 slots totalling 31 hours and 57 minutes were observed and recorded. For hauling, a total of 53,403 hooks were randomly selected and observed at sea. The total amount of video footage recorded during these observations was 40 hours and 42 minutes, divided into 62 slots. Data gathered from at-sea observations conducted by a scientific observer was compared with recorded video footage recorded by 3 different video reviewers watching the video footage. No significant differences were found in the number of all species of vertebrate counted in situ and in the video footage by the different video reviewers (observers). However catch composition for invertebrates showed high discrepancy between in situ and footage observations.

This paper describes a preliminary CASAL based assessment of Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) in Subarea 48.4. The assessment data are updated with the observations for the 2013/14 season and sensitivity analyses conducted using the maturity ogive from the area 48.3 and revised growth assumptions. The revised assessment is compared with the previous assessment for this stock. Stock projections indicate that an annual yield of 40 tonnes is consistent with the application of the CCAMLR harvest control rule. Links with other toothfish stocks are discussed based on tag recaptures. 

During the 2014 experimental season extension in CCAMLR sub-Area 48.3 a single line caught 74 white chinned petrels, which is the most significant incidental mortality event in the fishery for over 10 years. The circumstances associated with the event were investigated and a review of seabird mortality in the fishery undertaken. The mortality event occurred on a “Spanish” system longline that was partly set after Nautical Twilight (dawn), so was in breach of CM25-02. Although the line was partly set after Nautical Twilight other factors may have contributed to this event. A review of available data indicates that, while the risk of seabird mortality is slightly higher in April, autoline vessels very rarely catch seabirds. In accordance with CM 41-02, there will not be a season extension in 2014/15. Options for possible future season extensions are discussed.

Data were collected at Bird Island and King Edward Point, South Georgia, at Signy Island, South Orkneys and at Goudier Island, Antarctic Peninsula for the period April 2013 to March 2014. Surveys of beached marine debris at Bird Island recorded a total of 252 and 376 items during winter (April to September 2013) and summer (October 2013 to March 2014) respectively. Surveys at Signy Island (operational during summer only; 26 November 2013 to 13 March 2014) recorded a total of 2 items of beached marine debris. Entanglements of 14 Antarctic fur seals were observed at Bird Island, 9 at King Edward Point and zero at Signy Island and Goudier Island. In total, 88 items of marine debris were found in association with seabird colonies at Bird Island, most commonly in association with wandering albatrosses (40 items). There were no reports of beached marine debris at Goudier Island, and one incidence of hydrocarbon soiling (Bird Island) during the reporting period. Overall, the occurrence of beached marine debris was above the long-term mean at Bird Island during both summer and winter and was the second highest ever recorded in the 24 years of summer surveys and fourth highest ever recorded in 23 years of winter surveys at Bird Island. In contrast, the occurrence of beached marine debris at Signy Island was the lowest ever recorded in 24 years of surveys. The incidence of marine mammal entanglements was below the long-term mean at Bird Island and Signy Island but equal to the mean at King Edward Point. Debris associated with seabird colonies was below the mean level for wandering albatrosses and grey-headed albatrosses but above the mean for black-browed albatrosses and giant petrels.

Germany intends to present the Scientific Committee the background document that provides the scientific basis for the evaluation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Weddell Sea. Please note, that the current state of the background document presents a comprehensive yet incomplete first version concerning chapters that have to be (further) developed or revised. The contents and structure of the document reflect also its main objectives, i.e. (i) to set out the general background and context of the establishment of MPAs, (ii) to describe the boundaries of the Weddell Sea MPA Planning Area, (iii) to inform on the data retrieval process, (iv) to provide - for the first time- a comprehensive, yet succinct, general description of the Weddell Sea ecosystem to reflect the state of the science, and additionally to present the results of the various preliminary scientific analyses that were carried out so far within the framework of the MPA Weddell Sea project, and finally (v) to describe future work beyond the development of the scientific basis for the evaluation of a Weddell Sea MPA.

Analysis of catch data from a deepwater trawl survey conducted at South Georgia and Shag Rocks in 2003 indicate that depth and region have a marked influence over demersal fish community structure at South Georgia and Shag Rocks. Three distinct, depth stratified fish assemblages were observed.  The demersal fish assemblage found on the shelf to depths of around 400m is dominated by notothenids and is comprised largely of species endemic to the Southern Ocean and Scotia Sea. At increasing depths (400-600m) diversity increases with the presence of many benthopelagic species  including Stomiiformes, Aulopiformes and  Zoarcids.  At the greatest depths sampled the demersal fish community is dominated by gadiform fishes including members of the Macrouridae and Moridae many of which are not endemic to the Southern Ocean. Clear regional differences in the shelf community are apparent with differences observed in community structure between South Georgia and Shag Rocks to depths of around 400m. The biogeographic patterns observed in demersal fishes show similar trends to those seen in a range of other taxa such as crustaceans.

La légine australe et la légine antarctique sont l'objet d'un commerce international et sont considérées comme étant d'un grand intérêt commercial pour les 13 nations qui les exploitent activement à des fins de consommation mondiale. L'influence majeure sur le commerce de la légine est détenue par les principales nations consommatrices de ce poisson et il est important de comprendre comment ces consommateurs mènent les opérations de pêche commerciale. Bien que la Commission pour la conservation de la faune et la flore marines de l'Antarctique (CCAMLR) supervise les pêcheries de légine par quantités débarquées, aucune méthode n'est actuellement en place pour contrôler le volume ou la valeur des légines en circulation sur le marché international. Une étude de marché des données d'import et d'export de 2007 à 2012 a été conduite au moyen de la base de données des Nations Unies sur les statistiques sur le commerce mondial des produits de base (Comtrade ONU). Elle avait pour objectif l'examen des motifs récurrents, au niveau mondial, dans les évolutions du prix de vente et du volume commercialisé.

L'analyse s'est focalisée sur les dix pays les plus impliqués dans le commerce de la légine au cours des six ans de la période d'analyse. Le prix moyen (en $/kg) des importations a augmenté de 44% entre 2007 et 2012, malgré une diminution générale du volume commercialisé. Les États-Unis constituaient 54% du total des importations et exerçaient la plus grande influence sur les tendances générales. Le prix moyen des exportations a augmenté de 86,8% entre 2007 et 2012, malgré une diminution générale du volume commercialisé. Les premiers résultats révèlent un lien étroit entre l'offre et la demande au sein des marchés internationaux, ainsi que l'influence de facteurs propres aux pays. Cette étude contribue à la collecte et à l'analyse en cours des données sur le commerce de la légine, qui seront utilisées pour comprendre l'évolution du marché mondial de la légine et faciliter les efforts de gestion.