The Russian Federation proposes, in accordance with Measure 21-01, on establishment   a new craboid fishery using pots in Subareas 88.2 (SSRU 882 H, C, D, E, F) and 88.3 (SSRU 88.3 B, C, D) in the 2019/20 season. The initiating a new craboid fishery in Subareas 88.2 and 88.3 would be consistent with  CCAMLR’s regulatory framework.

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is developed for subarea 48.6 from data covering 2004/2005 to 2017/2018 fishing seasons. General Linear Models and General Linear Mixed Models were applied to these data to extract annual time series trends that may be of use in the fitting of stock assessment models for Dissostichus mawsoni (D. mawsoni) in the area.  The entire fishing area in 48.6 which is covered by various research blocks is treated as a single area and the developed trends are for the entire subarea. The trends from these models reflect stable to a slight increase in CPUE since 2013 which might be reflection better management since research block were introduced in 2012/2013 fishing season.

Antarctic Toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is one of the target species that CCAMLR sets catch limits in the Southern Ocean. Due to their broad distribution relating to their life cycle and difficulties of in situ observations, life cycle with their spatial and temporal distribution is yet to be fully understood. Especially in early life stage, the process of successful egg/larval transport pattern from spawning ground to nursery ground is poorly known in the East Antarctic region. This project investigates the transport pattern of egg/larvae of toothfish using particle tracking scheme uses more than 10 years unique satellite product data and ocean model output data. This work examines not only passive particle drift but also the effects of multiple physical and biological factors (such as eddy, sea ice, egg buoyancy and swimming activity of larvae) on their distributions. Using this sensitivity analysis, we explore possible transport process of egg/larvae in the East Antarctic region and it will contribute to developing CCAMLR’s stable management of Antarctic Toothfish.

To achieve the milestone “Updating biological parameters for the population, suitable for inclusion in CASAL: Age Length Key (ALK), growth curves, maturity ogives” (SC-CAMLR-37 Report, para 3.130), this paper represents the updated length-weight relationship, growth curve, ALK, and maturity ogives as biological parameters of Dissostichus mawsoni at Subarea 48.6 up to the 2017/18 fishing season collected from a collaborative research program among Japan, South Africa, and Spain.

Due to the lack of sufficient aging data, it is not possible at present to calculate annual and sex-specific growth curve, ALK, and maturity ogive. Continuing both data collection and otolith aging will lead to the implementation of CASAL stock assessment with rich biological information.

The Scientific Committee considered the assessment of Dissostichus spp. in data-poor fisheries to be of a high priority (SC-CAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 3.125 to 3.145). The use of different gear types for the implementation of a multi-Member research on   Dissostichus spp.  in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) carried out in the seasons 2011/12 - 2017/18  is a critical factor for their   efficiency and reliability. In the context of the discussion of the Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR-XXXVII p.3.338-3.144) related to the methodical  problems and analysis issues of  the above said research   we propose the research program on Dissostichus spp by the  multi-vessels  in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 for seasons 2019/20-2021/22 based on standardization of sampling longline gear  and survey design.

Russian program provides proposals to continue investigations of the species composition, biology, life cycle, distribution and structure of craboids stock (Anomura, Decapoda) and assess their resource potential in the Bellingshausen Sea (Subarea 88.3) and Amundsen Sea (Subarea 88.2). Russian pilot research program of craboids (Anomura, Decapoda) in the Antarctic Pacific (Subareas 88.2 and 88.3) were carried out in March 2019 (vessel Volk Arctic) in full compliance with the Russian program (WGSAM-18/06; WGFSA-18/32 Rev.1) and recommendations of the Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR –XXXVII, paragraph 4.3 (i-viii)).

Russian Federation is going to continue investigation  of life –cycle and resource potential for Dissostichus spp. in Ross Sea. This paper presents the   research program in the frame of the Research and Monitoring Plan for RSRMOR. 

The research program shall be conducted in the Special Research Zone during 2019 - 2027 or the first reference period for existence of the RSRMPA.   This program provides possibility   for collaborative investigations in the Special Research Zone by Russian vessels and vessel from other CCAMLR members.

The Oceanographic study of the Subarea 48.6 on the SST, SIC, PST, current and wind vector was conducted. The lower SST corresponded to the higher SIC and vice versa. The PST  indicates  the  mixed  layer  depths  in  research  block5.  The  currents  around the research block 4 and 5 were indicated. It is found out that there is a relationship between the SST and the wind. The CTD vertical profile data collected by Tronio should contribute  to  developing  this  oceanographic  study.

An Analysis of the sea ice concentration (SIC) in research blocks 2,3,4, and 5 of subarea 48.6, with sea surface temperature(SST) and statistical models is presented. 

For research block 4, the SIC in 2019 was the highest for the last 4 years (2016-2019). For research block 5, the SIC in 2019 was also as high as in 2016 but around the west of block 5 the SIC in 2019 was much lower than in 2016. The lower SST anomalies corresponds to the higher SICs in 2019 both in research blocks 4 and 5 and vice versa. The chart of the SIC as per HYCOM corresponds well to the SIC derived from data by the University of Bremen(AMSR2). Repeated Accessibility(RA) in research blocks 4 and 5 with statistical models, where the limit of navigability for fishing vessels is set at 20 % SIC, was calculated. It should become possible to predict the accessibility to research blocks 4 and 5 with the model in cooperation with HYCOM.

The toothfish catch estimation on board of fishing vessels at the CCAMLR area is being done often in a difficult weather conditions at sea, which can cause a negative impact on the measurement equipment. Besides, until today the “green weight” of the toothfish catch on fishing vessels was not estimated directly, but by calculation, based on the weight of the production using appropriate conversion factors (coefficients) determined experimentally. These circumstances, together with mistakes in the informational communication on board of fishing vessels, can lead to a significant distortion of fishing catches in operational statistical reports. The document analyzes the significance of all the critical factors and offers recommendations on how to minimize the distortions in catch estimation on board of fishing vessels.