We provide a final report on the CEMP Special Fund project ‘Developing an image processing software tool for analysis of camera network monitoring data’. The project was initiated with support from the CEMP Fund in 2015/16. An earlier version of the software developed prior to receiving CEMP Fund support has been superseded with a new version which has additional image-processing, data-processing and data-reporting features. These features, combined with new R code written to reformat generalised output tables for specific CCAMLR needs, will allow a seamless transition from image processing to estimation of CEMP parameters that is consistent with recent agreed changes to estimation methods and CEMP data forms for data obtained from remote camera networks. We are pleased to report that the software, which we have named SPPYCAMS (Seabird & Penguin Population dYnamics Camera Analysis & Monitoring Software) is now available for use by the CCAMLR camera community.

We used long-duration, deep-diving (1000 m) hybrid gliders (Slocum G3, Teledyne Webb Research), equipped with a suite of oceanographic sensors (CTD, fluorometers, and oxygen) and a three-frequency (38 kHz, 67.5 kHz, and 125 kHz) single-beam Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler (AZFP) to conduct biomass assessments of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in the Bransfield Strait and the west shelf of Livingston Island, Antarctica. Two gliders were deployed for 82 and 88 days, respectively, between mid-December 2018 and mid-March 2019. We compare mean biomass density (g m^-2) estimates derived from gliders to those from ship-based surveys historically conducted by the U. S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program at several temporal and spatial scales to explore the feasibility of using gliders to replace vessel-based biomass surveys. In the Bransfield Strait, glider-based biomass density estimated from 350 glider profiles was 25.0 g m^-2, compared with the mean biomass density of 28 g m^-2 collected over 13 years of ship surveys. On the west shelf of Livingston Island, glider-based biomass densities estimated from two repeat glider surveys were 61.04 and 104.1 g m^-2. Mean biomass density estimates from broad-scale surveys conducted by the U.S. AMLR Program were 55 and 43 g m^-2, for January and February surveys conducted between 1997 and 2011. The mean biomass density of krill derived from restricting from the area of ship surveys to overlap with the area surveyed by the glider was 79 g m^-2.  Mean biomass density estimated from small-scale nearshore surveys conducted by the U.S. AMLR Program from 2005 to 2007, which overlapped spatially with the glider-based surveys, was 82 g m^-2.  Developing a proper statistical model for the variance estimators from glider-based biomass surveys will require further work. However, these data show that acoustically-equipped glider surveys can provide defensible estimates of krill density and distribution, sufficient to inform management, and should allow the continuation of time series monitoring that has historically been conducted by ships.

In the summer season of 2019 (February-April), acoustic and underwater studies of the seabed off the Argentine Islands were continued. The purpose of these studies was further development of a network of underwater testing sites in the water area of the Argentine Islands.

We present a revised draft Research and Monitoring Plan (RMP) for the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA, with the aim of further harmonizing CM 91-03 and CM 91-04. The draft RMP is based on the draft initially proposed in 2014 (SC-CAMLR-XXXIII/11) and revised in 2018 (SC-CAMLR-XXXVII/09). It aims to address the requirements of CM 91-04, and takes account of general principles from the Ross Sea region MPA RMP (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, paragraphs 5.39 to 5.42), as well as recent general discussions on the development of RMPs. The plan outlines research and monitoring topics relevant to specific MPA objectives. A project list and a list of baseline data relevant to the designation and review of the SOI SS MPA are appended. We request that WG-EMM considers and provides advice to the Scientific Committee on whether the draft RMP meets the requirements of CM 91-04, or on how it may require further development.

Fast climate changes in the Antarctic Peninsula are reducing krill density, which, by its turn, is reflected in penguin population dynamics. The increased concentration of fishing activities in this area in the last two to three decades is believed to have feedbacked the impacts of climate change over penguin populations. We used almost 40 years of data on fishing activities and on penguin population monitoring to test this assumption. We found that fisheries in Antarctic Peninsula are shifting from being more frequent in the chick-rearing to the non-breeding season. We found that increases in fishing catch during the non-breeding period are likely to have a significant impact on chinstrap populations, and a non-significant impact on gentoo populations. Fisheries and climate change together decreased consistently the population growth rate of penguins: very high catches and very low values of the southern annular mode reflected in very low growth rate for the three species.

The first annual meeting of the SCAR Krill Action Group (SKAG) met in Concarneau France on June 15^th and 16^th, 2019. The meeting focused on several topics including the identification of important knowledge gaps in krill research that could provide data in support of the management needs of CCAMLR.

This paper provides a summarized description and analysis of the activities carried out by the Chilean krill fishing ship Antarctic Endeavour throughout its first year of operation (2017-2018), which was mainly destined towards testing its fishing systems and new equipment installed for the production of krill meal. Effort, catch and CPUE, and the length frequency distributions of captured krill are recorded per trip and Subarea. Additionally, information is given on the yield obtained in meal production and the conversion factor determined in the reduction process. Finally, movements of the ship between extraction zones during each fishing trip are described

In Terra Nova Bay, western Ross Sea, during the austral summer 2015 ten type - C killer whales were equipped withSmart Position Only (SPOT) and depth-recording satellite transmitters (SPLASH). Hierarchical switching state-space models (hSSSM) were applied to Argos satellite tracking data to characterize the horizontal behaviour of tagged whales.

The Bayesian state-space model revealed discrete, largely non-overlapping Areas of Restricted Search (ARS) of killer whales along the coastline which matched the pattern of deeper dives thus indicating possible feeding grounds along the Ross Sea coast.

Considering the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (RSR MPA), these findings might be contemplated to completing the Research and Monitoring Program required by the MPA and furthering conservation measures in the existing Antarctic Special Protected Area (ASPA).

• The development of a consistent and reproducible ageing method for krill is critical for improving the precautionary management of krill fisheries.
• The only method to date that has shown promise in the determination of the absolute age of krill is that of Kilada et al. (2017), which involves thin sectioning of the eyestalk cuticle.
• The mechanisms controlling the generation and retention of growth bands in the cuticle through multiple moulting processes is poorly understood, and is in fact a point of contention among crustacean researchers.
• Since the interpretation of growth bands in thin eyestalk sections is also difficult, inter-laboratory calibration of this method should be conducted as a matter of priority.
• It is also important to discuss and agree on terminology on the structures that are kept through moulting and what are the structures that we can read growth bands from.
• We propose that an inter-laboratory calibration should be undertaken as a community effort supported by CCAMLR, in a series of workshops led by a qualified scientist, and using known age krill.

The primary objective for this krill research activity was twofold 1) to conduct a survey that provides updated estimates of the biomass and distribution of krill which are used in models to estimate sustainable yield in CCAMLR Area 48 and 2) to develop knowledge on the marine environment essential for the implementation of a Feed-Back Management (FBM) system. The survey follows a similar design as a survey initiated by CCAMLR in year 2000 for comparative purposes, but in addition focuses on high krill-density areas, contains state-of-the art methods and employs modern technology for the research topics currently in focus. In terms of FBM, Marine Protected Area (MPA) development in CCAMLR Planning Domain 1 encompasses the major krill fishing grounds. Thus, data supporting FBM are critical if the fishery is to be managed by an empirical understanding of krill density, distribution, availability and predator needs as opposed to purely conservation-based measures. A future developed FBM system, requires acoustic data to be collected, processed and reported continuously during the fishing season as a measure of the available prey field. This information can be integrated with finer-scale knowledge of krill predator feeding strategies and updated through specific scientific studies at regular (multiyear) intervals. The survey and coupled FBM process studies took place during the Austral summer 2018-2019. The work was coordinated by Norway and involved collaborative international efforts as well as vessels from Norway, Association of Responsible Krill fishing companies (ARK) and the Norwegian fishing company Aker BioMarine AS, China, Korea, Ukraine and United Kingdom. This report presents preliminary results from the survey performed with the Norwegian RV Kronprins Haakon during 08th January – 24th February 2019 and the land-based predator research carried out between 21st November 2018 and 20th February 2019.