CCAMLR

The results of the first annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 1996/97 season. Neck collars of man-made debris were seen on 12 seals, all of which were juvenile males. Five entangled seals were observed in an area around Signy Island Research Station where approximately 1.3% of the fur seal population come ashore. It was estimated that the incidence of entanglement was 0.33%. Data are compared with results from a parallel study undertaken at Bird Island (UK), South Georgia in 1996/97. Although synthetic line and packaging bands were the main entangling materials at both sites, a greater proportion of fur seals was entangled in these items at Signy Island (50% and 42% respectively) than at Bird Island (22% and 33% respectively). Severe injury was being caused to 75% of animals at Signy Island (15% at Bird Island) and none was seen to have a neck collar loose enough to come off. Since 1991, 47 entanglements have been reported at Signy Island compared with only 20 entanglements recorded at sites in the South Shetland Islands. However, it is difficult to determine if this is a site specific difference or a product of different observer effort. The prevalence of packaging bands shows that these are still being used and discarded at sea within the Convention area. This is despite the ban by CCAMLR on the use of packaging bands aboard vessels that was brought into force in 1996. The high incidence of synthetic line and fishing net highlights the need for CCAMLR Members to take further steps to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris in the southern ocean.

The results of the survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia for the sixth consecutive winter (1996) and eighth consecutive summer (1996/97) are reported. In winter 17 seals were observed entangled, double the number in 1995 and the third highest total so far. As usual most (88%) entanglements were of juveniles; however one-third were of females, an unusually high proportion. Synthetic string (fishing line) (47%), fishing net (24%) and packaging bands (18 % ) were the main entangling materials, with the abundance of string and fishing net reversed from most previous years. In summer, 27 seals were recorded entangled, the third lowest total and a 21 % reduction from 1996. Most animals involved were juvenile females; the overall severity of injury was the lowest yet recorded. The proportion of entanglements in synthetic string (41 %) was much greater than in recent years, with fishing net (22%) commensurately reduced and packaging bands (33%) similar to last year. The relatively low level of entanglements in summer is encouraging. The increase in winter records, however, is discouraging and fishing vessels are the only likely source of debris at this time. The evidence of continued use and discarding of packaging bands within the Convention Area is of particular concern.

In the fourth year of standardised recording of man-made debris associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia, ingested and regurgitated plastic items were reported for wandering albatrosses (three items), grey-headed albatrosses (one item) and white-chinned petrels (two items). Fishing gear was reported in association with grey-headed albatrosses (four squid jigs), black-browed albatrosses (three hooks and line, found next to nests), wandering albatrosses (15 hooks and/or line, eight found next to nests, six in squid pellets and one internally lodged in an adult) and adult regurgitates of nylon line thought to originate from trawlers (three items). The incidence of southern giant petrels involved with fishing gear (four items) is a four fold increase on previous reports. Levels of fishing gear associated with black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses are similar to previous years but records for wandering albatrosses were halved compared to last year. Nevertheless evidence of continued discarding of plastic material and the loss of long-line fishing gear, especially hooks, remains a cause for concern.

A CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) has been initiated by Norway at Bouvetøya, South Atlantic Ocean. A permanent research station was established at the CEMP site, Nyrøsa, on the western coast of the island during the 1996/97 field season. Species included in the monitoring program are the Chinstrap Penguin, Macaroni Penguin and Antarctic Fur Seal. During the first field season (1996/97), monitoring of the following parameters were initiated for the two species of penguins: Breeding population size CA3), Age-specific annual survival and recruitment (A4), Duration of foraging trips (A5), Breeding success (A6), Chick diet (A8) and Breeding chronology (A9). For the Antarctic Fur Seal, the .. program includes monitoring of Duration of cow foraging/attendance cycles (C 1) and Pup growth (C2).