This report on the krill fishery in Area 48 has been prepared in a format similar to the “Fishery Reports” developed by WG-FSA in 2004. As reported to the CCAMLR Secretariat, 7 vessels from 5 Contracting Parties are fishing for krill in Area 48 in the 2005/06 season, and these vessels have taken 64415 t of krill to date. Two CCAMLR scientific observers have been deployed. The preliminary estimate of the total catch of krill for the season is approximately 97090 t. This compares with 127035 t of krill reported in the STATLANT data for 2004/05. All fine-scale data from Korea for 2004/05 are overdue, as they are currently still held on board the vessels. Every effort will be made to submit these data as soon as the vessels return to port.
The report includes: Availability of fishery and observer data; Time series of catch by season, Contracting Party and small-scale management unit; Species composition of by-catch; Occurrence of incidental catches of seabirds and mammals; Development of measures of overlap between the krill fishery and krill predators; Consideration of the Conservation Measures in force in the fishery. Reference information on stock and areas, and parameters used in stock assessment are also included.
Abstract:
The CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) uses indices derived from data on indicator species collected by standard methods in the three Integrated Study Regions of the Convention Area. Each year the Secretariat updates the standardised index values and provides a summary of trends and anomalies in these data. This report covers predator indices only.
Data were submitted by 8 Members for 10 sites and 13 different CEMP parameters for the 2005/06 season. No data were submitted from Admirality Bay, King George Island, and Ross Island. Only population counts were submitted for Edmonson Point.
The development of an ordination method, with guidance from WG-EMM and consultation with experts, is proposed as a main priority for the forthcoming intersessional period.