This paper summarises the data collected by Scientific Observers operating in the Convention Area on board longline and finfish trawl vessels during the 2015 season (based on data received by the Secretariat up to 09 October 2015).

Information on observer coverage, incidental mortality (including the implementation of mitigation related CMs), tagging and conversion factors is presented.

Being able to correctly identify species is crucial in observer’s tasks and data quality implies very good knowledge from observers. Identification quality is related to observer’s training and resources provided by technical coordinators.

This document describes a tool developed as a “serious game” for observers to more easily learn species names before to go at sea or when steaming for example.

User can choose area, language, level and species groups.

So far only birds have been included to start with but any phylum of any area can be added including larval stages.

Exploratory fishing for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in Division 58.4.2 began in 2003. Robust stock assessment and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for this Division. In 2014, the fishery was limited to one Japanese and one Spanish flagged vessel using longlines only, but there was no fishing activity. France notifies its wish to collaborate in this research fishery with the other participants over the coming years in order to participate in the tagging program and achieve a robust stock assessment. The aim is to collect sufficient data to provide an advice on a catch limit according to CCAMLR decision rules. This paper presents a proposal for a research plan for 2015/2016 developed under Conservation Measure 41-01. The biomass in the Division was estimated during WG-FSA 2014 using CPUE x seabed analogy method. In the absence of an assessment using the CCAMLR decision rules, the catch limit should remain unchanged at 35 tonnes for 2015/16 to maximize the expectation of tag-recapture.

Within the CCAMLR area, high quantities of images are collected by scientific observers at sea while performing the tasks outlined the Scheme on International Scientific Observation (SISO). These include photos of tags, cetaceans, birds and bird bands, fishing gear, or unusual and unidentified species. In order to maintain version control, to process and file the photographs efficiently, and to ensure compatibility and transferability between statistical subareas during different observer deployments, it is crucial to develop a common naming convention that allows to keep track of where, when, and on which vessel a picture was taken by whom, together with basic information on the picture content. This paper describes the naming convention discussed between MNHN, CapFish, MRAG and CEFAS and the development of a tool in Excel.

Exploratory fishing for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in Division 58.4.1 began in 2003. Robust stock assessment and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for this Division. In 2008, only one vessel, Tronio, has conducted research fishing in accordance with a research plan submitted under CM 24-01. France notifies its wish to collaborate in this research fishery with the other participants over the coming years in order to participate in the tagging program and achieve a robust stock assessment. The aim is to collect sufficient data to provide an advice on a catch limit according to CCAMLR decision rules. This paper presents a proposal for a research plan for 2015/2016 developed under Conservation Measure 41-01. The biomass in the Division was estimated by research block during WG-FSA 2014 using CPUE x seabed analogy method. In the absence of an assessment using the CCAMLR decision rules, the catch limit should remain unchanged at 724 tonnes for 2015/16 to maximize the expectation of tag-recapture.

Conversion Factor is a crucial value used to calculate green weight using product weight and thus assess the amount of fish withdrawn from the stock. This paper describes factors influencing conversion factor using data collected on Patagonian toothfish within the French EEZ, results emphasise the need to calculate CF with a sub-sample of the catch that is representative of the total catch in terms of size, space and time. It also looks at the size of sub-sample used for conversion factor measurement in relation with the accuracy of weight estimated at sea.

Depredation is an increasing concern in areas where Patagonian toothfish is targeted. In order to assess its effect and understand the process of depredation by killer whales and sperm whales, good quality data needs to be collected at sea. This paper describes the different variables collected by observers within French EEZ (area 58.5.1 and 58.6).

Depredation is observed in many places within the convention area and is an increasing concern for fishery. Killer whale and sperm whales are the two odontocetes species mainly responsible for this issue. One of the key point to understand the process of depredation is to use photo-identification, pictures taken by observers on board longline vessels targeting toothfish have been analysed. Several photo-identification catalogues have been produced as a reference to identify individuals.