CCAMLR

During the 2002/03 austral summer the thirteenth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from the three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 54 items weighing 27.36kg were collected. The number of items found was the largest since 1999/00 and the total mass of the waste recovered was the highest recorded since 1994/95 (an increase of 38% and 7% since 2001/02 respectively). There was an increase in the number of plastic packaging bands (twenty three) from the total recorded the previous season (eight), this increase continued the change in trend that began last season in what had otherwise been a declining trend since 1993/94. Such a continued increase in the number of these packaging bands found indicates that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has yet to prove entirely effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, making up 67% of all items recorded, followed by wood at 11%. Classifying the waste by source revealed that most had originated from ships or fishing vessels, with four items being of BAS origin. The results of this seasons litter survey, with the continued increase in items found which began last season, clearly shows that the longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistance to degradation in the marine environment remains a problem and highlights the need for continued monitoring to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea.

Results of the surveys of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia for the thirteenth consecutive winter (2002) and fifteenth consecutive summer (2001/02) are reported here. The overall number of entanglements showed a decrease from last year of 55% in winter and 67%. Severe injuries accounted for 33% of entanglements over winter and 25% during the summer. As in previous years, most individuals observed entangled in debris were juveniles (88% of winter and 81% of summer observations), the reasons for this are discussed. Of the entanglements where the animal could be sexed, males dominated the observations in both seasons. Plastic packaging bands and synthetic strings (nylon braid) accounted for the majority of all entanglements (81%); no entanglement in fishing nets was observed This highlights the need for continued monitoring and increased effort in ensuring correct disposal of debris with the potential to entangle wildlife at sea.

During the twelfth year of standardised beach surveys of man-made debris at Bird Island, South Georgia, a total of 193 items was collected, 140 during summer and 53 during winter. This represents a 33 % decrease on the total of 290 items recorded in 2000/01 and the lowest level of summer beach debris since 1994/95. Although only 7 fewer items were collected during the summer (a 5% decrease from last season), 90 fewer items were collected throughout the winter, a 63% reduction compared with last year. The 2001/02 season was characterised by a dramatic decrease in the proportion of nylon line (braid) found, constituting only 3.6% of the annual total, a reduction of 93 % in summer and 98.5% in winter compared to the previous year. Miscellaneous debris accounted for the greatest proportion (92%) of all debris. The large reduction in fishing gear found on the beach throughout this season, particularly during the winter months when the South Georgia longline fishery is most active, is encouraging. This would indicate that vessels are making efforts to comply with the correct waste disposal procedures for both domestic and fishing-related waste.

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of fishing gear, marine debris and oil associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. It is the tenth such annual report. As in most previous years, more items of fishing gear (mostly longlining gear) and debris (mostly plastics) were found in association with wandering albatrosses than with any other species, though numbers of both decreased slightly since last year. The quantity of fishing gear associated with giant petrels (northern and southern) was the second highest on record, and included five cases of entanglements with longline hooks and line. Eleven cases of contamination with oil were recorded, in wandering, black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses. In all cases, no more than about 1-2 % of the birds’ plumage was oiled, and breeding success was apparently not affected.
Continued evidence of the discarding of longline hooks in offal and bycatch is of concern. Based on items found in regurgitates, an estimated 630 longline hooks and/or snoods were ingested by wandering albatross chicks at South Georgia this year. Hooks were typical of those used in the demersal longlinefishery around South Georgia and the Falklands.

Two recent changes have impacted on the compilation of CCAMLR’s Statistical Bulletin: (1) publication of data by CCAMLR season rather than by split-year (agreed at SC-CAMLR-XXI); and (2) a revision of the boundaries in Division 58.4.3 and adjacent areas (agreed at CCAMLR-XX). The Statistical Bulletins are based on STATLANT data submitted annually by Members. Therefore these changes have necessitated some re-interpretation of existing STATLANT data. In most cases, change (1) was easily implemented as complete STATLANT data records include a reference to the split-year and month when fishing occurred. However, in a small number of historic datasets, the months are not defined and change (1) was problematic. Ancillary fine-scale data were used, where available, to define the months fished in the incomplete STATLANT data The spatial resolution of STATLANT data is the statistical subarea or division. Therefore, ancillary fine-scale data were needed to define the fishing grounds in areas where boundaries were revised. This information was then used to implement change (2) in the STATLANT data. This paper documents the changes made to STATLANT data and seeks further information from Members.