A collaborative research program has been undertaken by Japan and South Africa since 2013 to enhance data collection and analysis in the subarea 48.6 under CM 21-02. Spain has joined the proposal starting from 2018/19 fishing season in order to contribute to the data acquisition and to speed up the integrated assessments of the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) stock in this subarea (WG-FSA-18/34).

The continuation of the three-member research proposal for 2020/21 season is presented to ensure continuity of previous research activities. Data and investigations about the population structure and various demographic parameters of D. mawsoni using trotline (JPN and ZAF) and Spanish longline (ESP) gears, established tagging techniques, pop-up tags and genetic analysis will provide the basis for the development of spatial population models and assessments in support of management advice. An Integrated Stock Assessment (ISA) of this species is expected to be done by the end of the 2020/21 season.

The research plan and its implementation remains largely unchanged  as it was reviewed in 2019 (WG-FSA-2019/23), with the only  change being the introduction of the  operational details concerning the replacement of the Japanese fishing vessel Shinsei-maru No.3 to Shinsei-maru No.8, with the same crew and fishing gear (fishing method: Trotline system).

The updated CCAMLR Research Plan – Research Proponent Self-Assessment can be found in Appendix 1.