In this paper we drawn comparison between the existing CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP) and plans to develop Research and Monitoring Plans for Marine Protected Areas. We recall the outcomes of the CEMP Review in 2003, and as a result highlight the intensity of monitoring required to detect change and to ascribe cause. We therefore propose that CCAMLR build even stronger links with SOOS to ensure relevant data are available. We highlight that a hierarchical approach to monitoring could be employed to detect the first signs of change.

Catch limits for toothfish in research blocks were set for the 2017/18 season using a qualitative analysis of trends in biomass estimated in each research block and a series of simple decision rules developed by WG-FSA-17. The Scientific Committee recommended that the approach be further developed and tested as a matter of priority for WG-SAM-18. We formalised and codified the rules and developed a simulation approach to examine the performance of the trend analysis rules for scenarios with high or low abundance, high or low uncertainty in biomass estimates, and for populations with increasing, stable, or decreasing trends in abundance. The trend analysis rules performed well given the expected inter-annual variability in biomass estimates, and they increased or decreased catch limits as the simulated population increased or decreased in abundance, though with a longer lag when population abundance was increasing. Further evaluations are needed to implement scenarios where populations change in response to catches and to test the overall management approach.

Features of the implementation of the tagging program on vessels of Ukraine CALIPSO, KOREIZ, MARIGOLDS, SIMEIZ are presented.

Based on a recommendation by WG-FSA in 2017 (para. 3.13), this paper presents examples for a set of standard diagnostics including R code to be used for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) stock assessments presented to WG-FSA.

This paper presents a ‘first-step’ proposal for CCAMLR to consider the effects of environmental variability and change on management advice from toothfish assessments. We focus on changes to environmental conditions that are maintained over a number of years, which includes the effects of global climate change. The effects of environmental variability and change on toothfish population dynamics and productivity are largely unknown and are difficult to predict given our current understanding of the Southern Ocean environment and ecosystems. However, we note that existing information from toothfish fisheries can be used to identify changes that have occurred, or changes that may currently be occurring, as a consequence of environmental variability and change, including that due to global climate change.

We note that CCAMLR’s fishery reports may be revised to include a new section on changes in model parameters and productivity assumptions that have been found to have occurred, and that these may be related to the effects of environmental variability and change. We note that causal relationships between observed changes in stock productivity and environmental conditions are not required for this understanding to be useful. We propose that consideration of changes in biological parameters and work to understand the impact of these changes on yield assessment would reduce uncertainty in management advice. The parameters that could be evaluated to for the effects of environmental variability and change would include mean recruitment (ȳ), recruitment variability (σ_R), mean length at age, mean weight at length, natural mortality (m), and maturation ogives. Other factors that may impact assumptions underlying the assessments that could also be considered, including stock distribution (for example, for its impact on tagged fish distribution or research survey interpretation), sex ratio (indicating maturation or other sex specific changes), and the ages or lengths observed in the fishery (indicating changes in vulnerability patterns or mortality). Further, we recommend that methods be developed that can be used to evaluate the importance of observed changes in the toothfish productivity or distribution on resulting advice.

Implementation of the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (CM 91-05) and the associated Research and Monitoring Plan (SC-CAMLR XXXVI-20) requires multidisciplinary research efforts by Members. Some of the research required will necessarily be implemented through CCAMLR approved fisheries research programmes proposed under CM 24‑01. Although considerable fisheries research is already underway in the Ross Sea region, research proposals will require robust experimental designs and collaborations among Members. Strategic decisions by the Scientific Committee and the Commission to prioritise and sequence necessary research will be required so that reviews of progress in research and monitoring to evaluate the objectives of the MPA can be best informed. We review priority research topics, key attributes of experimental design, and describe research programme attributes needed to achieve success. We encourage the CCAMLR Scientific Working Groups to further develop strategic approaches and criteria for fisheries-directed research proposed to inform the Research and Monitoring Plan.

During the 2017/2018 toothfish season in the Ross Sea, the New Zealand flagged Janas trialled a scientific electronic monitoring system during fishing operations in the Ross Sea region. The integrated system collected video data from three cameras (two at the starboard hauling area and one at the stern gear deployment area) along with time-linked data on vessel operations and location during all fishing activities. The trial showed that 1) the systems performed well in Antarctic conditions, 2) video and sensor data could be easily analysed to understand fishing activities (including understanding of hauling stoppages due to technical issues and/or broken lines, and 3) automated procedures can be developed to supplement and assist with scientific observation. This type of system has the potential to assist in improving the accuracy of data recording by observers, as well as allowing observers more time for biological and other sampling by reducing the time spent on tasks such as line setting observations, and determining species mix and size compositions.

Main two methods, which are used for the estimation of abundance/stocks of toothfish in the Antarctic marine areas, are the method based on tag recaptures and the method grounding on the CPUE data. But calculation of toothfish abundance with using these methods demands a number of assumptions, which sometimes broaden too much the possible values of the calculated parameters. The authors present a method approach concerning possible use of a bottom trawl survey to estimate a minimum guaranteed toothfish abundance value on a designated marine area. This provide a valuable reference data, which can be used to assess a direct indicative catchability of longlines.

This paper provides a summary of research projects and activities led by New Zealand researchers that are relevant to spatial planning, monitoring and research in relation to the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area. The inventory includes: (1) research to establish “baseline” environmental and ecological conditions in the Ross Sea region; (2) “process-based” research to understand environmental and ecological processes and interactions; (3) modelling, assessment and simulation research related to the fishery for Antarctic toothfish in the Ross Sea region. The intention of this paper is to present the information so that it is useful to researchers in three ways. First, to help researchers to identify existing (historical) New Zealand data for retrospective analysis. Second to identify New Zealand scientists and research expertise to facilitate new collaborative research internationally. Third, to identify upcoming (future) research activities so that possibilities for international collaboration are maximised.

The research and management plan for the Ross Sea region MPA is currently under development. That plan will identify key research questions that aid in assessing the MPA’s efficacy in achieving its objectives. It may be helpful to have an agreed set of baseline data for key species which indicate the current status of marine ecosystems in the Ross Sea region. These data could then be used as benchmarks to evaluate MPA performance. This paper suggests candidate baseline data for seven key indicator species which were identified in the draft Research and Monitoring Plan presented to the Scientific Committee (Dunn et al. 2017). The candidate baseline data include estimates of the number of nesting pairs of Adélie and emperor penguins per MPA zone, region-wide estimates of the number of Weddell seals and Type C (Ross Sea) killer whales and estimates of the mean densities of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), crystal krill (E. crystallorophias) and Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) per MPA Zone. We invite Members to contribute any additional data they may have, particularly for species where the candidate baseline data presented here are spatially restricted.