CCAMLR

The diet of black-browed albatrosses was studied at Gonzalo Island, Diego Ramirez, Chile, during the early chick-rearing period of 2000, 2001 and 2002. Diet composition was determined by sampling chick stomach contents during January and February of each year. Reconstituted meal mass was similar throughout the study, with diet being dominated by fish in all three years. Overall, the main items taken were the fishes Macruronus magellanicus (66-89% by mass) and Micromesistius australis (2.6-3.7% by mass), which are both fisheries-related species, and the squid Martialia hyadesi (8-20% by mass). The distribution of the prey species indicates that black-browed albatrosses obtained the bulk of their food over the South American continental shelf, but also foraged at the Antarctic Polar Front. The prevalence in the diet of fish species discarded from fishing operations, and the presence of fish hooks and fish bait species, indicates a strong association with fisheries in southern Chile.

Last year, WG-FSA discussed further work on the survey database. It was agreed that the Secretariat would distribute documents and specifications to Members to allow them to create software that exports data from their databases in CCAMLR format. It was also agreed that Members should consider the data requirements of the new CCAMLR survey database, and ensure that all essential data are recorded and submitted to the Secretariat. In addition, WG-FSA agreed that the Data Manager would develop a feed-back mechanism for correcting errors in the database, and Members were urged to provide updates and correction to CCAMLR (SC-CAMLR-XXI, Annex 5, paragraphs 3.1 – 3.8)
During 2002/03, the Secretariat completed the transfer of available survey data to the new database and developed a separate database shell for the exchange of data. This data exchange protocol provides a feed-back mechanism for correcting errors in the database. The mechanism necessarily involves on-going participation by data owners. Members were requested to consider the data requirements of the new database, and to provide updates and correction to CCAMLR
The Secretariat also revised the method used to extract and prepare length density data for input to the CMIX routine. The intersessional work is presented here.

Summary information on CCAMLR fisheries of relevance to the work of WG-FSA is presented. Additional fishery-related information can be found in WG-FSA-03/7 (survey database), 03/63, 03/64 and 03/65 (summaries of observer data), SC-CAMLR-XXII/BG/1 (catches in the Convention Area) SC-CAMLR-XXII/BG/9 (summary of notification for new and exploratory fisheries), SCIC-03/5 (estimates of IUU catches) and CCAMLR-XXII/BG/8 (implementation of conservation measures).

Published references to work on mackerel icefish are listed in alphabetical order of author. This listing was originally tabled at WAMI associated with WG-FSA 2001 and has been updated since that time.

Information on mackerel icefish that has been presented at WG-FSA is summarised and the information augmented by reference to published papers.