A research plan for Subarea 88.3 was commenced by Korea in 2016 under CM 24-01, New Zealand joined the proposal in 2017. The joint research proposal was for 3 years covering the period 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. It was designed to build on Korea’s previous research by continuing to focus on research blocks where tagged fish have previously been released on the slope, while also prospecting two of the northern seamount complexes and two boxes on the continental shelf, where no research has occurred. Following a proposal from the Ukraine to join the research plan in 2018, the Scientific Committee requested an integrated proposal be developed for all three Members (SC XXXVII paragraph 3.191). This proposal updates the final year (19/20 fishing season) of the research plan with the recommendation from the Scientific Committee to integrate the Ukrainian research with the Korean and New Zealand research plan. We propose to continue the research on Dissostichus spp. in Subarea 88.3 from 2020/21 to 2022/23. The main objective of the proposal is to determine the abundance and distribution of Antarctic toothfish in Subarea 88.3. Secondary objectives are to improve understanding of stock and population structures of toothfish in Statistical Area 88, to carry out calibration trials among the vessels, to collect data on the spatial and depth distributions of bycatch species, and to trial scientific electronic monitoring technologies.
The Russian toothfish resource research program in the Ross Sea MPA is fully in line with the priorities of the Research and Monitoring Plan for the Ross Sea MPA. The program is being implemented under the conservation measure 24-01. The program description is structured in accordance with the requirements of CM 24-01. The design of longline surveys, a system for collecting and processing data are presented, paying particular attention to toothfish tagging procedures.
For season 2020/21 the program provides for the participation of one Russian vessel and one vessel of a CCAMLR member. In accordance with the recommendation of WGFSA -2019, the resource provision of the program will be 140 tons with a total number of longline sets of 81. The reporting system for the results of the program fully meets the requirements of the Scientific Committee. Research proponent self-assessment form is shown as Annex 2. Vessel tagging procedures survey is shown be the Annex 3.
Abstract:
The Scientific Committee considered the assessment of Dissostichus spp. in data-poor fisheries to be of a high priority (SC-CAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 3.125 to 3.145). The use of different gear types for the implementation of a multi-Member research on Dissostichus spp. in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) in the seasons 2011/12 - 2017/18 is a critical factor for their efficiency and reliability. In the context of the discussion of the Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR-XXXVII p.3.338-3.144) we propose the research program on Dissostichus spp by the multi-vessels in Divisions 58.4.1 for seasons 2020/21-2022/23 based on standardized sampling longline gear and survey stratified design. It is planned participation of one the Russian vessel as well a the vessels of Member countries. The program is carries out under the CM 24-01. The description of the program is presented in accordance with Appendix CM 24-01/A. Research proponent self-assessment form is shown as Annex 1. Vessel tagging procedures survey is shown be the Annex 2.
Exploratory fishing for toothfish (Dissostichusmawsoni) in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) began in 2003. Robust stock assessments and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for these Divisions. WG-FSA-16/29 outlined the first multi-member toothfish exploratory fishery research plan up to 2017/18 for East Antarctica, which the Scientific Committee agreed was appropriate to achieve the research objectives (SC-CAMLR 2016, para. 3.244). Subsequent research progress including the evaluation of standard approaches to identify precautionary catch limits (WG-FSA-17 para. 4.28-4.38) and bycatch mitigation (Maschette et al. 2017), suggests a low risk profile for this fishery. Furthermore, examination of bycatch data and underwater video footage have not led to the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) indicator species (Maschette et al. 2017, Eléaume et al. 2018). Here, we update the research plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22 (WG-FSA-18/59), in accordance with ANNEX 24-01/A, Format 2. This plan has been designed as a 4-year plan, based on the low risk profile of this fishery and to allow more time for review by Working Groups of major reporting and review years in non-stock-assessment years.
Compared to last year (WG-FSA-19/44), this research plan has been updated with 2020/21 operating details and an explanation of the survey design in Section 3. The updated ‘CCAMLR Research Plan – Research Proponent Self-Assessment’ can be found in Appendix 1.
The Ross Sea shelf survey has been conducted annually since 2012, with the most recent revised proposal presented in 2017 and spanning five years (2018–2022). This paper:
serves as notification for the 2021 survey under CM 24-01 following the survey design proposed in WG-SAM-17/39, and annual notifications in WG-FSA-18/41 and WG-SAM-19/03;
fulfils the new requirement for a self-assessment of research proposals;
provides updated information needed for CM 24-05;
proposes a catch limit allocation mechanism for the survey; and
