In Division 58.4.3a, since 2012, research fishing has been conducted in the research block by two vessels using longlines: Shinsei Maru No. 3 (Japan) and the Saint André (France). The catch limit for Dissostichus spp. is 32 tons in 2014/2015 and the total reported catch up was 16.3 tons. For the last season (2015/16), the catch limit was unchanged (32 tons) but no catch up was reported due to engine damage for the French vessel and no fishing activity in the area for the Japanese vessel. The first Franco-Japanese exploratory longline fishery research plan for Dissostichus spp. in Division 58.4.3a (WG-FSA-16/55) was presented to WG-FSA-16, which included research objectives, methods and milestones in accordance with Conservation Measure 41-06 and associated measures. In October 2016, the Scientific Committee agreed that the research plan is appropriate to achieve its objectives (SC-CAMLR-XXXV, para. 3.251), and recommended to carry on a couple of investigations for the following years (SC-CAMLR-XXXV, para. 3.250). France and Japan commonly notifies their intention to continue their exploratory fisheries in Division 58.4.3a over the coming years in order to contribute to the tagging program and to achieve a robust stock assessment. We present here a proposal for the continuation of the research plan as set out in WG-FSA-16/55, and taking into account the Scientific Committee’s recommendations.
Abstract:
South Africa and Japan made the next season’s (2017/18) research plan in Subarea 48.6 using the latest CCAMLR C2 and Observer data. We have used extracted data provided by CCAMLR secretariat on 10th May, 2017.
The estimated median stock size in research block 48.6_2, 48.6_3, and 48.6_4 was 5657.54, 5162.26, and 8211.25 tonnes, respectively, in Chapman method considering tags released in the last one years as effective for the biomass estimation, except for 48.6_4 with the last three years. The estimated median stock size in block 48.6_2, 48.6_3, and 48.6_4 was 801.17, 124.71, and 981.91 tonnes, respectively, in CPUE analogy method (reference area: RSR) using the relevant information of reference area (recent median CPUE, estimated biomass and updated area size) recommended in the WG-SAM-16/18 Rev. 1.
We propose to continue the current research operation in Subarea 48.6 for the next fishing season with the same survey design.
Periodic updates to the schedule will be displayed on screens throughout the building and changes will be reflected in synchronisation updates during the meeting.
