Exploratory fishing for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) began in 2003. Robust stock assessment and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for these Divisions. The 2015/16 season was the first of a three-year research plan which was developed by Australia (WG-FSA-15/47 Rev. 1) under Conservation Measure 41–01. Australia will present to WG-SAM-2016 a full report on the fishing operation, catch composition, tagging and biological sampling undertaken by Australia during 2015/16 in SSRUs 58.4.1E and 58.4.1G. Here, we evaluate the original research plan set out in WG-FSA-15/47 Rev. 1, and propose continuation of this research in the 2016/17 season. Ongoing standardised longline fishing, in conjunction with fish biological measurements, tagging and aging, will be used to develop a stock assessment/s for Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2, and inform the necessary considerations of spatial structure, biomass and connectivity of toothfish populations. In addition, environmental data from CTD (conductivity, temperature and depth) and video loggers will contribute to models of toothfish habitat use. These models will inform spatial management approaches for toothfish, and the conservation of representative areas of benthic biodiversity. Additional outcomes include mapping of the bathymetry of fishable areas, and improved understanding of the distribution, relative abundance, and life histories of bycatch species.

Presentar antecedentes y el objetivo de contribuir con un barco mas en la pesca de investigación en la Subárea 48.6 que aumentaria las chances de cuota de pesca de investigación y asi el número de peces observados y marcados, a efectos de lograr un nivel que permita robustecer el tamaño del stock estimado. Este documento presenta un Plan de investigación para el período 2016/17 - 2018/19, en el marco de la Medida de Conservación 41-04.

The current season (2015/16) is the first one of the second three-season research in data-poor fisheries. In the present report, the next season research plan in Division 58.4.2 was made using the updated CCAMLR C2 and Observer data.

The stock sizes for a research block (58.4.2_1) were estimated by the Petersen estimator and the CPUE x seabed analogy method using updated CCAMLR C2 data and reference area sizes.

Understanding of the resource structure through clarification of their life history is essential to establish stock assessment and robust stock/ fisheries management of Dissostichus spp. population(s) in data- poor exploratory fisheries. During the second three-season research, we will continue enhanced tagging program, and collection and analysis of biological data including otoliths and gonads to clarify migration route and associated life stages of the fish.

To this end, we propose to follow the current research style in the current research blocks for the next research with the sample sizes estimated following the procedure recommended at the WG-FSA in 2013 in order to maximize the expectation of tag-recapture to the extent possible under the precautionary exploitation rate.

The current season (2015/16) is the first one of the second three-season research in data-poor fisheries. In the present report, the next season research plan in Division 58.4.1 was made using the updated CCAMLR C2 and Observer data.

The stock sizes for five research blocks (58.4.1_1, 58.4.1_2, 58.4.1_3, 58.4.1_4 and 58.4.1_5) were estimated by the Petersen estimator and the CPUE x seabed analogy method.

Understanding of the resource structure through clarification of their life history is essential to establish stock assessment and robust stock/ fisheries management of Dissostichus spp. population(s) in data- poor exploratory fisheries. During the second three-season research, we will continue enhanced tagging program, and collection and analysis of biological data including otoliths and gonads to clarify migration route and associated life stages of the fish.

To this end, we propose to follow the current research style in the current research blocks for the next season research with the sample sizes estimated following the procedure recommended at the WG-FSA in 2013 in order to maximize the expectation of tag-recapture to the extent possible under the precautionary exploitation rate.

The subarea 88.3 is a large area contained from 105° W to 70° W where has been closed to directed fishing following the results of a Chilean survey activities in 1998 (SC-CCAMLR-XVII/BG/7). Previous three research surveys conducted by the New Zealand and the Russian flagged vessels since 1998. It was noted that 8 D. Mawsoni were tagged by the New Zealand in the 2004/05 season and 123 D. Mawsoni were tagged by Russian flagged vessels in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 season (WG-FSA-05/53, WG-FSA-11/36 & WG-FSA-12/13). It was also noted that no tagged fishes were recaptured during the previous research activities. Considering this large region, the Republic of Korea notes that only 95 research hauls and 131 tagged fishes from three research activities (in total since 1998) were not enough likely to recapture. it was further noted that there was no research activities more than two consecutive years in the past despite the Scientific Committee has agreed that research fishing should be conducted such that it results in an assessment of a stock in 3-4 years time (SC-CAMLR XXVIII, paragraphs 4.165). During the 2015/16 season the Korean flagged vessel, Greenstar, conducted 1^st year research in this area. Total of 566 D. Mawsoni were tagged and released. Although the Greenstar set 108 research hauls in the Subarea 88.3 she did not find any recaptures of previous surveys. In second research year, the Greenstar is planning to revisit to the areas where the tagged fishes were released to further understand toothfish movement and migration with recapture data.

Most things related to Dissostichus spp. in the eastern side of Antarctic Ocean has not been known well as namely the area is data poor areas. In the Division 58.4.1 there are two stocks; one extends from the SSRU 58.4.1C to the SSRU 58.4.2A, and the other one to the SSRU 58.4.1H. The population sizes were vulnerable with a big range of about 1,000-2,000 t per SSRU in 58.4.1. During the 2004-2015 fishing seasons in Division 58.4.1, 6,813 Dissostichus spp. were tagged and released, but only 28 fishes among them have been recaptured which were not enough data to estimate stock biomass for considering the precautionary catch limit. Therefore, the catch limits that the meeting got in 2013 meetings increased to get more recapture. The food-web of Dissostichus spp. has started to be studied in the southern Ross Sea and 58.4.1C. Some studies on biology of the fish have been evaluated, but those are not enough to assess the stocks and consider proper management measures. Based on CCAMLR’s fishery report, the eastern area is still data-poor area showing low recapture rate. Consequently, providing catch and effort data from the area, analysing biological samples, and collecting recapture data focusing on SSRUs in Division 58.4.1is very important.

Korean research plans were endorsed by the Scientific Committee at SC-CAMLR-XXXIII. The Korean scientists collected and analysed the catch, effort, and biological data such as length, weight, gonadal development, and muscle by Kingstar in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 in 2014/15-2015/16 season. Korea will also conduct the exploratory fishery with research plan for Dissostichus spp. in the SSRUs in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 in 2016/17 using Korean commercial bottom longline vessel, Kingstar belonged to Sunwoo Company in accordance with paragraph of CM 24-01 and paragraph 6 (iii) of CM 21-02 to collect the catch and effort, CTD, tagged and released, recaptured data including archival tag, biological data for estimating biomass for Dissostichus spp. using CASAL and evaluating migration and distribution pattern by developmental maturity and size stages.