CCAMLR

As with the 2009 assessment of Subarea 48.3, there is still uncertainty as to why there were high numbers of the 2001 cohort in commercial catches in 2009 onwards.  It is likely that it is due to a combination of a strong 2001 cohort and a change in selectivity for the commercial fleet, but it has not been possible to determine the relative importance of each explanation.
Median log-normal recruitment suggests a long-term yield of 3 200 t.  If year class strengths have been low since 1994 and continue for the next 35 years then appropriate long -term yields could be as low as 975 tonnes.  This scenario is highly unlikely as survey data from 2010 and 2011 suggest a strong 2007 cohort, and survey data from 2004 to 2008 suggest a strong 2001 cohort.
Model projections, evidence of cohort strength from the surveys and the stabilisation of both SSB and CPUE that a long-term yield in the region of 2 000 tonnes would be appropriate, at least until catch-at-age data can confirm the strength of the 2007 cohort.
 

South Africans have been deployed as CCAMLR observers on vessels from a number of flag states. In some cases the observers have retained the otoliths that were collected and deposited them at the Branch Fisheries Management, Dept Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in Cape Town. As a result, South Africa holds otoliths collected from the CCAMLR area by vessels from five different flag states. This note summarises South Africa’s holdings of otoliths collected within the CCAMLR region by species, area, vessel and year.

This paper briefly outlines the key scientific issues that should be resolved for providing sufficient information with the aim of quantitative understanding regularities and trends of krill spatial distribution in the Scotia Sea being the important information for developing management strategy for krill stock in the Area 48. Proposals concerning scientific activity needed for resolving issues are shown. Practical implementation of these proposals will contribute to attaining CCAMLR goals in krill stocks management.  
 

The fish sampling protocol (K12 form) was developed to ensure that small/larval fish, that  may go undetected in larger samples, are recorded using a sorting method with a standard sub-sampling approach that allows the user to re-sort smaller samples and maximises potential to detect by-catch.
This paper uses data collected using the fish sampling protocol (K12) during 2010 and 2011 in order to estimate finfish by-catch in the krill fishery.

The information regarding by-catch of finfish in the krill fishery is limited and 2010 was the first year when the simplified sub-sampling method was used.  With more data from the upcoming season and greater observer coverage across the fishing fleet, better by-catch estimates should be able to be generated.
 

Summary of fishery-related information for WG-FSA including availability of data, catches of target and by-catch species in assessed and exploratory fisheries, tagging rates and the tag overlap statistic, notifications (fisheries, research and VMEs), development of species profiles and findings of the review of CCAMLR’s data management systems. Where applicable, the 2011 draft fishery reports and report on bottom fisheries and VMEs for WG-FSA have been updated with this information prior to the meeting.

Software is presented for the automated production of standardised image plots of spatially referenced bottom fishing impact assessments. This software is submitted to WG-FSA to assist the Secretariat or CCAMLR Working Groups in the production of integrated bottom fishing impact assessments, including routine update of the circumpolar impact assessment originally described in SC-CAMLR-XXIX/4, Appendix E.

The background to the current CCAMLR toothfish tagging programme is reviewed and recent performance measures implemented by CCAMLR to control and monitor the tagging of toothfish (Dissostichus species) in exploratory fisheries carried out within the Convention Area are described.  Following the first season of implementation we describe several circumstances which will cause anomalies in the tag overlap statistic used to monitor tagging performance.  These relate to differences in the length distribution of Dissostichus species within the assessed management division (ASD) or changes in the tagging rate within sub areas of the assessed ASD.  The current level of two tonnes of Dissostichus catch triggering the requirement to achieve a tag overlap statistic of 60% or more for upcoming season as specified in Annex 41-01/C is evaluated by means of simple simulations.  The results of this analysis indicate that at low levels of tagging, equating to between 2 and 10 t of Dissostichus catch, there is a strong likelihood that a breach of the Measure would occur.  We make recommendations from a user perspective on other aspects of toothfish tagging such as crew participation in the process, tag colour, training, and clarification of the controlling measures. We also recommend that the CCAMLR tagging protocol be updated and translated.
 

New Zealand will deploy four pop-off satellite transmitters on Antarctic toothfish along the Ross Sea continental slope in January 2012. They will be programmed to pop-off the fish, float to the surface, and transmit in December 2012. The purpose of this paper is to provide an announcement for members to distribute to vessels, crew and observers given the chance that these fish may be encountered in the fishery. The announcement details what to do if a satellite tagged fish is encountered, and who should be contacted. A second page provides specific instructions to observers and vessel crew that could be translated and provided directly to industry via the CCAMLR website.

Stock assessments rely upon estimates of the total mortality resulting from fishing activities. The level of mortality resulting from the loss of sections of bottom longline gear in the Ross Sea region and Subarea 88.2 Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) fisheries is not currently known. Lost fishing gear should be monitored to provide information to evaluate how well CCAMLR meets its management objectives relating to human impacts on the Antarctic environment. We provide a method to estimate unaccounted fishing mortality from lost lines in the Ross Sea region and Subarea 88.2 Antarctic toothfish fisheries. Our estimates suggest that on average 175–244 t of Antarctic toothfish may be unaccounted annually. While these estimates may be improved through better data reporting practices, the current estimates have been provided as sensitivities in the 2011 stock assessments for the Ross Sea region and Subarea 88.2 fisheries.