CCAMLR

In 2015, the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle has started to develop a new data acquisition protocol for benthos bycatch in the French fisheries of the Southern Ocean (statistical areas 58.5.1, 58.6, 58.4.3a, 58.4.4b, 58.4.2) . This protocol aims at producing presence and abundance data of the benthic macro-invertebrates collected by the fishing gears. The main objective is to increase knowledge on the benthic ecosystems impacted by the French fishing activities, in a context marked by the CCAMLR conservation measures for Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME) protection and the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) development and in the short term to decrease this impact. The protocol is based on collecting, weighing and photographic sampling of the benthic macro-invertebrate specimens. A description of the protocol is provided in this document. Preliminary results on quality and quantity of produced data are provided as well some examples of scientific exploitation. The new protocol provided significant results. CCAMLR could use part or whole of the protocol to implement in the fisheries scientific monitoring activity.

A dedicated krill survey for CCAMLR Division 58.4.1 during 2018/19 season is planned by Japan. No krill biomass has been estimated in the Division since 1996 when Australia carried out BROKE. There are two main objectives of our survey: (1) estimation of krill biomass to update B₀ in the division and (2) oceanographic observations in the area to detect long term changes if any. Japanese research vessel, Kaiyo-maru, will be used in the survey. The krill survey (echosounder and RMT) and subsequent biomass estimation will follow the CCAMLR standard protocol. The survey will be international oriented and participation of foreign scientists is welcome. An earlier version of this proposal was submitted to SG-ASAM-17 and the outcome of the discussion is reflected in this document. This document is presented to WG-EMM-17 with an intention to receive comments from the participants. Every suggestion will be duly examined and incorporated where relevant in the plan and a revised plan, especially related to acoustic survey methods, will be submitted to SG-ASAM-18 for further considerations. The final plan will be submitted to WG-EMM-18.

This document outlines the concept and rationale for movement to an instrument-based (moorings and gliders) program of oceanographic and ecological observations and research to support the U.S. commitment to CCAMLR and ecosystem science in the Southern Ocean. The U.S. AMLR Program's historical ship-based approach is no longer economically feasible. An instrument-based research program, in lieu of a ship-based research program, can reduce costs while still achieving NOAA’s mission in the Antarctic.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles specially adapted for operation in polar regions were used to study distribution and population size of three Pygoscelis penguin species on King George Island, Chabrier Rock and Penguin Island (Subarea 48.1) in three austral summer seasons (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17). During these three expeditions 32 successful photogrammetry missions (total distance 3963,42 km) were performed. The total flight time of the missions was 40 hours and 56 minutes. Flights covered the area of 34.51 km². Images were taken with digital SLR Canon 700D, Nikon D5100, Canon T5i 700D with a 35mm objective lens. Flights altitude at 350 – 550 m AGL (Above Ground Level) allowed images to be taken with a resolution GSD (ground sample distance) of 3-6 cm. Obtained images were used for the estimation of population size. Precision estimation of individuals’ count was based on the photo interpretation of high-resolution Red-Green-Blue and one Blue-Green-NIR imagery, as well as automatic interpretation using ImageJ software. In selected colonies a comparison with the results of measurements taken at the same time from the ground level were done. Obtained images enabled us to locate and estimate the number of nests of: Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins. In total approx. 30 000 nests in twelve breeding colonies were identified in 2016. The use of UAV for monitoring of indicator species enabled data acquisition from areas inaccessible by ground methods. Results will support the basic knowledge about the population size and distribution of krill-depended indicator species in Subarea 48.1.

In the 2013-14 reproductive season, the 26,000 pairs of Adélie penguins from Pétrel Island, Terre Adélie, failed to fledge their chicks. This catastrophic breeding failure resulted from two factors. First, the season saw an extreme sea-ice extent that forced Adélie parents to cover great distances to reach the open water during the incubation and early chick-rearing phases. The extended absence of parents meant that the partner and/or the chick fasted longer at the nest, increasing the risk of desertion by the partner and the risk of dying of prolonged fast for the chick(s). Second, the season was characterized by unusual precipitations of rain around the turn of the year that killed massively the already weakened young chicks. While we haven’t seen yet the consequences of this “zero year” on the demography of the population there, a second complete breeding failure took place in the season 2016-17, leading to the deaths of all the chicks of the 28,000 Adélie pairs that bred in this season. Once more sea-ice extent was the major cause of failure. Sea-ice conditions in 2016-17 were even more drastic than in 2013-14, as sea ice extended as far as 80 km from the colony but over the entire breeding period. Snow precipitations occurred only over 2-3 days in mid-November 2016 and several nests were buried under more than a meter of snow, but the snow falls were immediately followed by almost a week with temperatures continuously above 4°C that sent flows of melting snow through the colony, wiping out nests and eggs. Two “zero years” occurring within three breeding seasons will definitely affect the demographics of the population at Pétrels Island. Furthermore, the situation is not going to improve as long as the B9B giant berg stays anchored in Commonwealth Bay, on the east of the island. The B9B blocks icebergs from the Mertz glacier in front of Pétrel Island. This is a serious threat to the populations of Pétrel Island and a strong incentive for the creation of the D’Urville Sea/Mertz Marine Protected Area in the EARSMPA.