This report describes the exploratory longline fishery for Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in Subarea 88.1 and Small-Scale Research Units 882A and 882B (Fig. 1). The area spans 150\(^{\circ}\)E to 150\(^{\circ}\)W longitude and from the Antarctic Continent to 60\(^{\circ}\)S latitude. Fishing occurs around seamounts and ridges of the Pacific-Antarctic fracture zone, the continental slope, and the continental shelf areas. The Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (RSrMPA) was implemented through Conservation Measure 91-05 in 2017, closing much of the continental shelf to commercial fishing.
The fishery began in 1997 and slowly grew in number of vessels and catch until 2003. The Small-Scale Research Units (SSRU) definitions were changed in 2006 when several were closed to concentrate fishing in the central Ross Sea region (SC-CAMLR-XXIV, paragraphs 4.163 to 4.166). SSRU 881M was defined and closed in 2009 to protect the likely toothfish migration corridor in the western Ross Sea (SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 4.160 and 4.161).
Prior to 2017, this fishery was an exploratory fishery for Dissostichus spp., however, in order to better align the target species with the assessment process, the target species was specified as D. mawsoni, with any Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) caught counting towards the catch limit for D. mawsoni.
Catches of D. eleginoides have mainly come from the northwest of the region in SSRUs 881A-C (WG-FSA-13/48). Catches were quite high in the early part of the fishery, particularly in 2001, but have been relatively low since then as fishing occurred in more easterly areas. The catch rates for D. eleginoides have been much higher in SSRU 881A than the other SSRUs; this SSRU was closed to fishing from 2008 to 2017, and reopened in 2018 as part of the N70 management area.
The only type of fishing gear allowed in the fishery is bottom longline. Three types of bottom longline gear are used, Autoline, Spanish Line, and Trotline (See the CCAMLR Gear Library for details). Although toothfish do inhabit shallow water to some degree, they are mainly a deep-water species and the fishery is restricted to fishing deeper than 550m (Conservation Measure 22-08). Most fishing occurs at depths between 800m and 1800m.
The length of the fishing season in this fishery has changed over time. In the first few years, the fishery was mainly carried out from January to March, and between 2001 and 2003 extended into April and May. Each year since 2005, the fishery has been closed through attaining the allocated catch limit. The duration of the fishery has been decreasing in recent years, typically lasting only 6-9 weeks.
Sea ice is a major constraint on the timing and location of fishing within open areas of this fishery. Significant sea ice can prevent access by vessels to many areas, especially early in the fishing season. Typically, a large sea ice bridge must be navigated through to reach the main fishing area on the continental slope.
CCAMLR established the RSrMPA in 2017, the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the world to date. The MPA has a lifetime of 35 years. It can be renewed subject to a final review in 2052. The MPA has multiple objectives including providing a reference area to better understand the ecosystem effects of climate change and fishing, preserving a representative portion of the Ross Sea environment (including benthic and pelagic marine environments), and, protecting core foraging areas for land-based predators. A Scientific Research and Monitoring Plan has been developed for this MPA. New Zealand along with other nations, including Italy, the Republic of Korea and the USA are actively conducting research to feed into the first scientific review of the MPA in 2022. A dedicated Conservation Measure defining the Ross Sea MPA is due for review at least every 10 years to evaluate whether the specific objectives of the MPA are still relevant and are being achieved.
Many nations are involved in scientific research in this fishery.
The catch limits and regulation of by-catch for this fishery are defined in Conservation Measures 33-03 and 41-09 with additional requirements outlined in 91-05.
In 2020, 19 vessels participated in this fishery. For the 2021 fishing season, a total of 20 vessels notified their intention to participate in this fishery (1 from Australia; 1 from Japan; 3 from New Zealand; 1 from Spain; 5 from the Republic of Korea; 1 from the Russian Federation; 3 from the United Kingdom; 5 from Ukraine).
The limits on the exploratory fishery for D. mawsoni in this fishery are described in Conservation Measure 41-09.
From 2006 through 2016, the distribution of catch limits to the Small-Scale Research Units (SSRUs) in Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 was part of an experiment with the SSRUs between 150\(^{\circ}\)E and 170\(^{\circ}\)E (881A, D, E, F) and between 170\(^{\circ}\)W and 150\(^{\circ}\)W (882A-B) being closed to fishing to ensure that effort was retained in the area of the experiment (SC-CAMLR-XXIV, paragraphs 4.163 to 4.166). To assist administration of the fishery, the catch limits for SSRUs 881B, C and G were combined into a ‘north’ region (881B, C, G), those for SSRUs 881H, I and K were combined into a ‘slope’ region (881H, I, K) and those for SSRUs 881J and L into a ‘shelf’ region (881J, L). These administrative boundaries were used for the management of the fishery, however, the allocation of catches to these regions in the assessment process uses a tree-based regression based on the median length of fish in each longline set, and the explanatory variables SSRU and depth.
After 1 December 2017, when the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (RSrMPA) came into force (Conservation Measure 91-05), the regions to which catch limits apply were modified to all areas outside the RSrMPA and north of 70\(^{\circ}\)S (N70), all areas outside the RSrMPA and south of 70\(^{\circ}\)S (S70), and, the Special Research Zone (SRZ). The MPA comprises General Protection Zones (GPZ) with three separate areas (i, ii, iii), the Special Research Zone (SRZ) and a Krill Research Zone (KRZ) (see Figure 1).
The catches of D. mawsoni and D. eleginoides from this region are provided in Table 1. In this fishery, the catch of D. mawsoni reached a maximum of 3210 tonnes in 2005. In 2020, 0 tonnes of D. eleginoides and 2972 tonnes of D. mawsoni were caught.
The catches reported from this fishery include catch data from particular vessels that CCAMLR has agreed should be quarantined as there is no confidence in the amount and/or the location of those catches (SC-CAMLR-XXXIII, paragraph 3.68). All ancillary data associated with these vessels (e.g., by catch, tagging, observer data) are also quarantined and not included in the data presented in this report.
Season | Number of vessels | Catch limit (tonnes) | D. eleginoides | D. mawsoni | Estimated IUU catch (tonnes) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | 1 | 1980 | 0 | 0 | |
1998 | 1 | 1510 | 1 | 41 | 0 |
1999 | 2 | 2281 | 1 | 296 | 0 |
2000 | 3 | 2090 | 0 | 752 | 0 |
2001 | 7 | 2064 | 31 | 592 | 0 |
2002 | 2 | 2508 | 12 | 1355 | 92 |
2003 | 9 | 3760 | 26 | 1769 | 0 |
2004 | 21 | 3250 | 12 | 2178 | 240 |
2005 | 10 | 3250 | 7 | 3210 | 28 |
2006 | 13 | 2964 | 1 | 2967 | 0 |
2007 | 15 | 3032 | 12 | 3079 | 0 |
2008 | 15 | 2700 | 9 | 2250 | 272 |
2009 | 13 | 2700 | 17 | 2432 | 0 |
2010 | 12 | 2850 | 0 | 2868 | 0 |
2011 | 15 | 2850 | 3 | 2803 (q: 44) |
|
2012 | 15 | 3282 | 5 | 3209 |
|
2013 | 18 | 3282 | 0 | 3030 (q: 156) |
|
2014 | 20 | 3044 | 4 | 2221 (q: 700) |
|
2015 | 14 | 2844 | 1 | 2360 (q: 473) |
|
2016 | 13 | 2870 | 5 | 2484 (q: 194) |
|
2017 | 16 | 2870 | 1 | 2771 (q: 50) |
|
2018 | 17 | 3157 | 1 | 2637 (q: 188) |
|
2019 | 19 | 3157 | 1 | 3046 |
|
2020 | 19 | 3140 | 0 | 2972 |
|
Catch limits for by-catch species groups (macrourids, skates (Rajids) and other species) are defined in Conservation Measure 41-09, paragraph 6, and in Conservation Measure 33-03; these are also provided in Table 2.
If the by-catch of any one species is equal to, or greater than, 1 tonne in any one haul or set, then the fishing vessel must move at least 5 nautical miles away for a period of at least five days.
If the catch of Macrourus spp. taken by a single vessel in any two 10-day periods in a single SSRU exceeds 1,500kg in a 10-day period and exceeds 16% of the catch of D. mawsoni in that period, the vessel shall cease fishing in that management area (SSRU or group of SSRUs) for the remainder of the season.
Skates evaluated to have a good chance of survival (based on a skate condition guide) are released at the surface in accordance with Conservation Measure 33-03. The current by-catch limits and move-on rules for rajids are given in Conservation Measure 41-09.
Season | Catch Limit (tonnes) | Reported Catch (tonnes) | Catch Limit (tonnes) | Reported Catch (tonnes) | Number Released | Catch Limit (tonnes) | Reported Catch (tonnes) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | <1 |
1998 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | <1 |
1999 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
2000 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
2001 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
2002 | 0 | 158 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
2003 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 11 | 966 | 0 | 11 |
2004 | 520 | 319 | 163 | 23 | 1852 | 180 | 23 |
2005 | 520 | 462 | 163 | 69 | 5057 | 180 | 21 |
2006 | 474 | 266 | 148 | 5 | 14698 | 160 | 16 |
2007 | 485 | 153 | 152 | 38 | 7336 | 160 | 41 |
2008 | 426 | 112 | 133 | 4 | 7190 | 160 | 18 |
2009 | 430 | 183 | 135 | 7 | 7088 | 160 | 15 |
2010 | 430 | 119 | 142 | 8 | 6796 | 160 | 15 |
2011 | 430 | 190 q | 142 | 4 | 5440 | 160 | 8 |
2012 | 430 | 143 | 164 | 1 | 2238 | 160 | 4 |
2013 | 430 | 125 q | 164 | 4 q | 5675 q | 160 | 9 q |
2014 | 430 | 127 q | 152 | 2 q | 5534 q | 160 | 15 q |
2015 | 430 | 87 q | 152 | 5 q | 12978 q | 160 | 24 q |
2016 | 430 | 87 q | 152 | 7 q | 6016 q | 160 | 21 q |
2017 | 430 | 66 | 143 | 4 | 3857 | 160 | 10 q |
2018 | 485 | 78 q | 157 | 8 | 5924 | 157 | 13 q |
2019 | 485 | 147 | 157 | 9 | 8870 | 157 | 26 |
2020 | 485 | 117 | 157 | 15 | 15620 | 157 | 31 |
A characterisation of the by-catch (WG-FSA-12/42) showed that the three most frequently recorded ‘other’ by-catch species were icefish (mainly Chionobathyscus dewitti), eel cods (mainly Muraenolepis evseenkoi) and morid cods (mainly Antimora rostrata). The total catch for each of these species groups from 1998 to 2012 was 100, 102 and 97 tonnes respectively, and each formed about 0.3% of the total catch by weight.
In 2008 biomass and yield estimates of Macrourus spp. for this fishery were based on extrapolations under three different density assumptions from a trawl survey (WG-FSA-08/32). The resulting biomass estimate was 21,401 tonnes with an estimated CV of 0.5 for the slope area, which gave a yield estimate of 388 tonnes in that region. This yield estimate was then apportioned to SSRUs taking into account the spatial distribution of maximum historical catches. The catch limit on the Shelf was set at slightly higher than the maximum catches (70 t) with the remaining yield on the Slope (320 t); and the catch limit in the North was set at a nominal 40 t (SC-CAMLR XXXVII, Appendix 3 paragraphs 6.16-6.22). Bycatch limits for macrourids, skates and other species were adapted to the RSrMPA management areas for the 2018 fishing year resulting in small changes to each catch limit (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI Paragraph 3.149, Annex 7 Table 8).
In 2011, it was recognised that specimens originally identified in the region as Whitson’s grenadier (Macrourus whitsoni) did in fact comprise two sympatric species: M. whitsoni and M. caml (McMillan et al., 2012). Macrourus caml grows larger than M. whitsoni and is about 20% heavier for a given length (Pinkerton et al., 2013). The two species can be distinguished morphologically through the number of pelvic fin rays and the number of rows of teeth in the lower jaw. The distribution of M. whitsoni and M. caml seems to almost completely overlap by depth and area, with both appearing to be abundant in depths between 900 and 1,900m. Initial data suggest that catches of females of both species exceed that of males (especially for M. caml) and this sex selectivity cannot be explained by size or age of fish (Pinkerton et al., 2013). Previous work which was presumed to have been carried out on M. whitsoni would actually have been carried out on a mix of the two species.
Otolith aging data show that the two species have very different growth rates (Pinkerton et al., 2013). Macrourus whitsoni approaches adult size at about 10-15 years of age and can live to at least 27 years, whereas M. caml reaches adult size at about 15-20 years and can live in excess of 60 years. Sexual maturity in female M. whitsoni is reached at 52cm and 16 years, but in female M. caml at 46cm and 13 years. Gonad staging data imply that the spawning period of both species is protracted, extending from before December to after February.
WG-FSA-10/25 provided a characterisation of skate catches in the region and concluded that aspects of the catch history were very uncertain, including the species composition, the weight and number of skates caught, the proportion discarded and the survival of those fish that were tagged. While the size composition of the commercial catch was uncertain before 2009 because of the low numbers sampled each year, data collected in the Year-of-the-Skate (2009) resulted in improved estimates of the length frequency of the catch. During the Year-of-the-Skate a total of about 3,300 georgian ray (Amblyraja georgiana) and 700 Eaton’s skate (Bathyraja cf. eatonii) were tagged and a total of 179 skates recaptured. Analysis of recaptures from that experiment were presented in WG-FSA-18/38 and a second pulse of tagging to index abundance was agreed for 2020 and 2021 (including marking some skates with either strontium or oxytetracycline for age validation; SC-CAMLR-38 paragraph 5.5).
All Members are required to submit, within their general new (Conservation Measure 21-01) and exploratory (Conservation Measure 21-02) fisheries notifications requirements, information on the known and anticipated impacts of their gear on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs, as shown in the CCAMLR VME taxa classification guide), including benthic communities and benthos such as seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold-water corals. All of the VMEs in CCAMLR’s VME Registry are currently afforded protection through specific area closures.
By the end of this fishing season, there were 9 VMEs and 60 VME Risk Areas designated in the Ross Sea Region.
Only one seabird mortality has ever been reported by vessels in this toothfish fishery: a Southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) in 2014. Considerable effort has been put into the mitigation of seabird captures in CCAMLR fisheries, through implementation of Conservation Measures regarding line sink rate, use of streamer lines, seasonal restrictions on fishing, prohibition of offal dumping, line weighting and only allowing daytime setting under strict conditions.
The risk levels of interactions with birds in the fishery in Subarea 88.1 is category 1 (low) south of 65\(^{\circ}\)S, category 3 (average) north of 65\(^{\circ}\)S and overall is category 3 (SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, Annex 7, Table 14 and Figure 2).
Conservation Measure 25-02 applies to this subarea and, in addition to the specific mitigation measures in place, there is also a bird by-catch limit specified in Conservation Measure 41-09. The discharge of offal or discards is prohibited in this subarea under Conservation Measure 26-01.
In 2008, one mortality of a Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) was reported by a vessel in this fishery.
Past estimates of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) catch in this fishery are shown in Table 1.
Following the recognition of methodological issues regarding the estimation of IUU catch levels since 2011, evidence of IUU presence or activity has continued to be recorded but no corresponding estimates of the IUU catch for Dissostichus spp. have been provided (SC CAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 6.5). One IUU-listed fishing vessel was observed in Subarea 88.1 during 2008 and an unknown vessel sighting was reported in 2012. Information relating to the retrieval of unidentified fishing gear in Subarea 88.1 in 2017 was submitted by the Republic of Korea and provided to Members in COMM CIRC 17/100.
The collection of biological data as part of the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation (SISO) includes representative samples of length, weight, sex and maturity stage, as well as collection of otoliths for age determination of the target and most frequently taken by-catch species.
This fishery is managed under the umbrella of the exploratory fisheries Conservation Measure 41-01 and, as such, has an associated data collection plan (Annex 41-01/A), a research plan (Annex 41-01/B) and a tagging program (Annex 41-01/C).
In addition to exploratory fishing requirements, a Medium Term Research Plan for the Ross Sea Region has been developed to further increase the quality and volume of data needed to manage the fishery (CCAMLR-XXXIII, paragraph 5.52). This plan includes priority research topics to improve the stock assessment and to understand the ecosystem impacts of fishing.
The length frequency distributions of D. mawsoni and D. eleginoides caught in this fishery in recent years are shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively. These length frequency distributions are unweighted; they have not been adjusted for factors such as the size of the catches from which they were collected. The interannual variability exhibited in the figure may reflect changes in the fished population but is also likely to reflect changes in the gear used, the number of vessels in the fishery and the spatial and temporal distributions of fishing.
The length frequency distribution of the catches for D. mawsoni in all areas for this fishery ranged from about 70cm to 190cm (Fig. 2) with a consistent mode at about 140cm in the fishery north of 70\(^{\circ}\)S (N70). The size distributions in the S70 or SRZ depend on the spatial (and depth) distribution of fishing in a given year. The size distribution of fish on the Ross Sea shelf (not shown) is comprised of a mode of smaller fish (80-110 cm) with a pronounced tail of larger fish spanning the full length distribution. Size distributions for D. mawsoni on the shelf are summarised as part of the Ross Sea shelf survey (WG-FSA-17/57). Observations of D. eleginoides length are few and typically smaller than D. Mawsoni in this fishery (Fig. 3).
Under Conservation Measure 41-01, each longline vessel fishing in exploratory fisheries for either D. mawsoni or D. eleginoides is required to tag and release toothfish at the rate of 1 fish per tonne of green weight caught throughout the season since 2004 following the CCAMLR tagging protocol. In order to ensure that there is sufficient overlap between the length distribution of all fish caught and those fish that are tagged, a vessel is required to achieve a minimum tag-overlap statistic (see Annex 41-01/C, footnote 3). The requirement to achieve a minimum tag-overlap statistic of 50% was first introduced for 2011 and this was then increased to 60% for 2012 and subsequent seasons (Table 3). The tagging data is used as the main source of information on trends in abundance for stock assessment.
To date in this area, 56476 D. mawsoni have been tagged and released (3258 have been recaptured; Table 4), and, 1244 D. eleginoides have been tagged and released (94 have been recaptured; Table 5).
Vessel-specific tag-detection rates (the relative rate at which tagged fish are recaptured by a vessel) and recapture rates (the relative rate of recapture of fish that were tagged by a vessel) were developed using a methodology which controls for the spatial and temporal variability of fishing operations by pairing each individual tag release or recapture event with all other fishing events which occurred in the same time and place (i.e., within a specific distance and in the same fishing season) (WG-SAM-14/30). The resulting indices were used to derive the effective tag release and recaptures for each vessel in the tagging dataset used for the assessment model (WG-FSA-17/36). Both indices, for the fishery as a whole and weighted by the relative catches of each vessel, show effective tagging rates at about 65% and effective tag-detection rates at about 85%; both generally decreasing over time. This decrease is due to the combination of changes in individual vessel performance over time and changes in relative contribution of vessels with lower rates; as such it does not indicate a decrease in rates for all vessels.
Flag State | Vessel name | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Argenova XXI | 1.1 (50.5,NC) | ||||||||||
Australia | Antarctic Discovery | 1.1 (79.5,NC) | 1 (88.6,NC) | 1.2 (NC,-) | 1 (77.5,-) | |||||||
Chile | Globalpesca I | 1.5 (NC,-) | ||||||||||
Spain | Tronio | 1 (63.5,NC) | 1 (73.5,NC) | 1 (77.9,-) | 1 (90,NC) | 1 (80.1,-) | 1.1 (81.5,NC) | 1.1 (89.7,NC) | 1.1 (70.8,NC) | 1 (84.1,-) | 1 (89.6,NC) | 1 (69.3,-) |
Spain | Yanque | 1.2 (77,NC) | ||||||||||
United Kingdom | Argos Froyanes | 1 (66.4,-) | 1 (75.1,-) | 1.3 (66.1,-) | 1 (90,-) | 1 (87.9,NC) | 1.5 (81.1,NC) | 1.1 (84.9,NC) | 1 (79.9,-) | 1.3 (89.1,-) | 1.1 (86,-) | 1.7 (75.1,-) |
United Kingdom | Argos Georgia | 1.1 (45.6,NC) | 1 (70.7,NC) | 1 (92,NC) | 1.1 (86.2,NC) | 1.1 (72.3,-) | 1.1 (85.9,-) | 1.2 (84,-) | 2.2 (91.4,-) | 1.2 (88.8,-) | ||
United Kingdom | Nordic Prince | 1.3 (86.6,-) | 1 (90.3,-) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Greenstar | 1.1 (87.1,-) | 1 (75.1,-) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 701 | 1.3 (77.1,NC) | 1.1 (84.6,-) | 1.1 (79.8,-) | 1.1 (86.6,NC) | 1 (78.5,-) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 707 | 1.1 (51.8,-) | 1.1 (67.5,49.6) | 1.1 (78.8,NC) | 1 (81.3,-) | 1.1 (79.5,-) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 1 | 1.1 (30,-) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 3 | 1.5 (90.6,NC) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 5 | 1.6 (93.1,-) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 2 | 1.2 (30.1,-) | 1.1 (95.5,-) | 1.2 (86.1,NC) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 3 | 1.1 (44.8,-) | 1 (87.5,-) | 1.2 (81.1,NC) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kingstar | 1.1 (88.5,-) | 1.1 (75.3,-) | 1 (88.5,-) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kostar | 1.1 (87.5,-) | 1.1 (80.1,-) | 1 (79.4,-) | 1 (76.9,-) | 1 (81.4,-) | 1.1 (80.4,-) | 1.1 (64.9,-) | ||||
Republic of Korea | Southern Ocean | 1.1 (88.8,-) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Sunstar | 1.2 (85,-) | 1.1 (78.4,-) | 1.1 (67.6,-) | 1.1 (87.5,-) | 1 (87.5,-) | 1 (81.8,-) | 1.1 (78.5,-) | 1.1 (87.2,-) | |||
Norway | Argos Georgia | 1.1 (84.9,-) | 1.4 (79.9,NC) | |||||||||
Norway | Seljevaer | 1 (79.9,-) | 1.1 (74.6,NC) | 1 (81.7,NC) | 1.2 (66.1,NC) | |||||||
New Zealand | Antarctic Chieftain | 1 (58.3,-) | 1 (92.5,NC) | 1.2 (92,NC) | 1.1 (NC,NC) | |||||||
New Zealand | Janas | 1 (78.2,-) | 1 (84.2,NC) | 1.3 (88.1,NC) | 1 (86.2,NC) | 1.1 (87.1,NC) | 1.8 (79.8,NC) | 1.6 (89.5,NC) | 1.1 (85.7,NC) | 1.1 (82.6,-) | 2.5 (87.3,NC) | 1.1 (88.2,NC) |
New Zealand | San Aotea II | 1.1 (77.2,NC) | 1.1 (88.5,NC) | 2.7 (79.5,NC) | 1.8 (78,NC) | 1.6 (80.7,NC) | 1.7 (83,NC) | 1.7 (79.8,NC) | 1.8 (81.1,NC) | 1.6 (81.3,NC) | 2.1 (84.1,NC) | 3 (86.7,NC) |
New Zealand | San Aspiring | 1.1 (88.4,NC) | 1.1 (92.9,NC) | 1.1 (92.7,NC) | 1.2 (91.2,NC) | 1.1 (91.2,NC) | 1.1 (92,NC) | 1.1 (87.6,NC) | 1 (89.2,NC) | 1.1 (75,NC) | 1.1 (80.3,-) | 1.1 (79.9,-) |
Russian Federation | Chio Maru No. 3 | 1.7 (80.1,NC) | 1.5 (76.8,NC) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Gold Gate | 1.3 (88,NC) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Marii | 1.1 (NC,-) | 1 (63.9,NC) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Velikan | 1 (77,-) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Oladon 1 | 1 (87.1,-) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Ostrovka | 1 (NC,NC) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Palmer | 1.2 (83.5,-) | 1 (79.5,-) | 1 (75,NC) | 1 (77.1,NC) | 1.3 (81.7,-) | 1 (67.2,-) | 1 (84.7,-) | ||||
Russian Federation | Sparta | 1.2 (62.6,NC) | 1.5 (NC,NC) | 1.1 (NC,-) | 1.1 (NC,-) | 1.1 (42.4,-) | 1.1 (79.6,NC) | |||||
Russian Federation | Ugulan | 1 (71.7,NC) | 1 (72.7,NC) | 1.1 (74.7,-) | ||||||||
Russian Federation | Volk Arktiki | 1.2 (85.3,-) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Yantar 31 | 1.2 (86.4,-) | 1.1 (86.3,-) | 1 (84.8,-) | 1 (73.7,NC) | 1.1 (85,-) | ||||||
Ukraine | Calipso | 1 (69.6,-) | 1 (79.3,NC) | |||||||||
Ukraine | Marigolds | 1.3 (NC,-) | 1.1 (73,-) | 1.3 (82,-) | 1.2 (78.9,-) | |||||||
Ukraine | Polus 1 | 0.9 (NC,-) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Poseydon I | 1 (69.4,-) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Simeiz | 1.2 (39.9,-) | 1.1 (83,NC) | 1.3 (NC,-) | 1.1 (85.5,-) | |||||||
Uruguay | Altamar | 1.5 (62.7,NC) | 1.3 (83.5,-) |
Flag State | Vessel name | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Argenova XXI | 33 (2) | ||||||||||
Australia | Antarctic Discovery | 85 (2) | 148 (36) | 15 (3) | 74 (9) | |||||||
Chile | Globalpesca I | 21 (8) | ||||||||||
Spain | Tronio | 308 (23) | 429 (12) | 546 (8) | 388 (12) | 298 (22) | 311 (20) | 230 (18) | 359 (30) | 180 (24) | 307 (19) | 192 (10) |
Spain | Yanque | 46 (7) | ||||||||||
United Kingdom | Argos Froyanes | 158 (4) | 332 (28) | 38 (1) | 183 (23) | 220 (25) | 389 (30) | 70 (4) | 230 (20) | 221 (14) | 120 (20) | 223 (10) |
United Kingdom | Argos Georgia | 51 (2) | 213 (48) | 300 (13) | 293 (10) | 244 (22) | 287 (26) | 263 (37) | 691 (43) | 246 (14) | ||
United Kingdom | Nordic Prince | 369 (78) | 156 (34) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Greenstar | 333 (21) | 331 (11) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 701 | 106 (0) | 209 (4) | 39 (0) | 34 (1) | 277 (10) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 707 | 368 (25) | 218 (9) | 462 (8) | 291 (1) | 242 (10) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 1 | 313 (29) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 3 | 249 (10) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 5 | 427 (16) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 2 | 268 (3) | 285 (0) | 186 (3) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 3 | 185 (8) | 157 (2) | 236 (5) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kingstar | 276 (11) | 128 (14) | 246 (17) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kostar | 223 (1) | 117 (1) | 352 (2) | 312 (15) | 313 (15) | 299 (17) | 120 (12) | ||||
Republic of Korea | Southern Ocean | 64 (0) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Sunstar | 154 (4) | 122 (1) | 199 (6) | 206 (7) | 218 (4) | 224 (15) | 167 (10) | 262 (6) | |||
Norway | Argos Georgia | 203 (25) | 243 (28) | |||||||||
Norway | Seljevaer | 178 (14) | 238 (53) | 264 (55) | 251 (27) | |||||||
New Zealand | Antarctic Chieftain | 164 (36) | 238 (18) | 127 (2) | 25 (1) | |||||||
New Zealand | Janas | 415 (34) | 172 (4) | 168 (0) | 130 (13) | 150 (14) | 270 (4) | 338 (42) | 206 (12) | 139 (27) | 420 (13) | 172 (18) |
New Zealand | San Aotea II | 288 (24) | 321 (50) | 289 (4) | 348 (21) | 354 (70) | 299 (20) | 412 (50) | 457 (22) | 338 (10) | 466 (33) | 284 (14) |
New Zealand | San Aspiring | 513 (59) | 199 (19) | 527 (62) | 243 (32) | 307 (76) | 193 (40) | 408 (64) | 298 (37) | 300 (59) | 344 (51) | 175 (26) |
Russian Federation | Chio Maru No. 3 | 242 (4) | 302 (4) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Gold Gate | 98 (1) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Marii | 21 (1) | 44 (4) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Velikan | 82 (4) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Oladon 1 | 188 (3) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Ostrovka | 18 (3) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Palmer | 54 (7) | 68 (0) | 336 (1) | 279 (0) | 467 (2) | 213 (1) | 375 (0) | ||||
Russian Federation | Sparta | 110 (8) | 0 (0) | 7 (1) | 28 (6) | 31 (3) | 55 (5) | |||||
Russian Federation | Ugulan | 41 (3) | 49 (2) | 81 (3) | ||||||||
Russian Federation | Volk Arktiki | 99 (3) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Yantar 31 | 362 (7) | 82 (8) | 93 (0) | 178 (2) | 126 (5) | ||||||
Ukraine | Calipso | 123 (12) | 122 (17) | |||||||||
Ukraine | Marigolds | 23 (5) | 43 (7) | 158 (7) | 48 (4) | |||||||
Ukraine | Polus 1 | 8 (0) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Poseydon I | 30 (2) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Simeiz | 75 (1) | 73 (4) | 16 (1) | 160 (7) | |||||||
Uruguay | Altamar | 55 (0) | 89 (10) | |||||||||
Total | 3064 (249) | 3032 (206) | 3827 (131) | 3581 (213) | 2449 (309) | 2841 (181) | 2935 (253) | 3098 (189) | 3115 (265) | 4143 (335) | 3426 (225) |
Flag State | Vessel name | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Argenova XXI | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Australia | Antarctic Discovery | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||
Chile | Globalpesca I | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Spain | Tronio | 0 (0) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Spain | Yanque | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
United Kingdom | Argos Froyanes | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
United Kingdom | Argos Georgia | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 3 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
United Kingdom | Nordic Prince | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Greenstar | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 701 | 3 (6) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Hong Jin No. 707 | 0 (0) | 34 (5) | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 1 | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 3 | 1 (0) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Insung No. 5 | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 2 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (1) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Jung Woo No. 3 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kingstar | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||||
Republic of Korea | Kostar | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||
Republic of Korea | Southern Ocean | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Republic of Korea | Sunstar | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||
Norway | Argos Georgia | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Norway | Seljevaer | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (1) | |||||||
New Zealand | Antarctic Chieftain | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) | |||||||
New Zealand | Janas | 0 (0) | 0 (2) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (0) | 3 (2) | 17 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 3 (0) | 0 (1) |
New Zealand | San Aotea II | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 15 (4) | 0 (0) | 4 (4) | 0 (1) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) |
New Zealand | San Aspiring | 2 (1) | 3 (0) | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Russian Federation | Chio Maru No. 3 | 0 (0) | 2 (1) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Gold Gate | 1 (3) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Marii | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Russian Federation | Mys Velikan | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Oladon 1 | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Ostrovka | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Palmer | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||
Russian Federation | Sparta | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||
Russian Federation | Ugulan | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||||
Russian Federation | Volk Arktiki | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Russian Federation | Yantar 31 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||
Ukraine | Calipso | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Ukraine | Marigolds | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||
Ukraine | Polus 1 | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Poseydon I | 0 (0) | ||||||||||
Ukraine | Simeiz | 0 (0) | 11 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||
Uruguay | Altamar | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |||||||||
Total | 2 (2) | 41 (12) | 25 (16) | 5 (1) | 20 (5) | 6 (4) | 20 (1) | 3 (1) | 1 (1) | 3 (0) | 1 (1) |
The Ross Sea shelf survey (WG-SAM-19/03) has been conducted since 2012. The objectives of the survey include monitoring the abundance and age structure of sub-adult (< 110 cm TL) toothfish in the southern Ross Sea and monitoring trends in larger (large sub-adult and adult) toothfish in two areas of importance to mammalian toothfish predators. Catches and size structure are similar among the surveys but consistently show year class progression in the age distributions (WG-FSA-17/57). The survey age structure and local biomass estimations were incorporated into the 2017 assessment and were shown to stabilise the index of year class strength; on this basis, continuation of the survey has been recommended.
Standardised catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) analyses of D. mawsoni in the Ross Sea are updated routinely (WG-FSA-19/07). In 2006, it was concluded that the CPUE indices did not appear to be monitoring abundance of toothfish in the Ross Sea fishery (SC CAMLR-XXV, Annex 5, paragraph 5.58). The trend in CPUE shows increases and decreases throughout the period among the north, slope and shelf fisheries. The CPUE trend through time was not expected to reflect changes in biomass but rather location of fishing and fisher experience as the fishery developed.
Approximately 800 D. mawsoni otoliths collected by observers from New Zealand vessels have been selected for ageing each year, and used to construct annual area-specific age-length keys (ALKs). In the Ross Sea, annual ALKs for each sex are developed and applied to the shelf/slope fisheries and the north fishery separately. The annual ALKs were applied to the scaled length-frequency distributions for each year to produce annual catch-at-age distributions (WG-FSA-18/46).
There has been a small increase in the proportion of males in the north, and to a much lesser extent on the slope and shelf, over time (WG-FSA-18/46) even after discounting the first two years’ data (which are likely to be unrepresentative because fishing occurred mainly in shallow water in SSRU 881G). In 2019, the proportion of males in N70 and the SRZ showed an increasing trend through time (WG-FSA-19/07). These trends may be the result of spatial differences in fishing through time.
No trends through time were apparent in scaled median, 10th and 90th percentile of length, or sex-specific condition factor (WG-FSA-19/07).
Antarctic toothfish are older in the North compared to other areas, which is a reflection of ontogenetic migration and depths fished in each area (larger/older fish tend to be deeper). Interannual variability in age distributions are likely due to differences in depth and location fished within each management area. No trends were apparent within each of the management areas (WG-FSA-19/07).
The effect of sea-ice has a major influence on fishing operations in high latitudes. The major effects of sea-ice are firstly to restrict or deny access to preferred fishing grounds, but of much more consequence, to hamper fishing operations, with resulting effects on catches and time spent on the grounds. An ice index developed for Subarea 88.1 provides a quantitative index of the influence of variable sea-ice conditions on the operation of a fishery at the resolution of a season (WG-FSA-15/35).
The medium-term research plan for this area has been developed and implemented by 5 Members. It is designed to collect the data required to improve the stock assessment and to improve the understanding of the potential impacts of the fishery on the broader ecosystem (Table 6). Additional ecosystem objectives and research priorities are specified in Conservation Measure 91-05 and in the Ross Sea region MPA research and monitoring plan, which details a large multi-member research effort to further understand ecosystem dynamics and the potential impacts of fishing in the Ross Sea region (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/20).
MTRP objectives | Research proposals | Paper number | Year running |
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Winter research | WG-SAM-15/47, WG-FSA-18/40 | 2019 |
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Structured fishing 882C-G | WG-FSA-18/36 | 2019 |
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Satellite pop-up tags | WG-FSA-15/08 | 2019 |
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Shelf survey | WG-FSA-18/41 | 2016, 2017 |
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Shelf survey | WG-FSA-15/34 | 2018, 2019 |
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882A-B North | WG-FSA-18/34 | 2018, 2019 |
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McMurdo ice-based survey | 2015, 2016 | |
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Additional research has occurred under Conservation Measure 24-01 (with more than 5t toothfish catch, including two winter longline surveys (WG-SAM-15/47, WG-FSA-16/37, WG-FSA-18/40) to study the timing and distribution of Antarctic toothfish spawning and early life history.
Models estimates (WG-FSA-19/08) using the updated data for 1998-2017, new data from 2018 and 2019, revised growth and length-weight parameters, and a similar model structure as in 2017 estimated the equilibrium pre-exploitation spawning stock biomass to be about 71,730 tonnes (95% CIs 65,890-78,730 tonnes) and the current stock status to be 66% B0 (63-69% B0).
This fishery (Subarea 88.1 and SSRUs 882A-B) for D. mawsoni was assessed using a CASAL Bayesian sex- and age-structured integrated stock assessment model (WG-FSA-19/08).
Assessments are reviewed biennially, the last assessment was in 2019.
The impact of Anthropogenic climate change in the short-term could be expected to be related to changes in sea ice and physical access to fishing grounds, whereas longer-term implications are likely to include changes in ecosystem productivity affecting target stocks (FAO 2018).
In anticipation of potential impacts of climate change on targeted fish stocks, the Scientific Committee indicated that changes in productivity parameters may impact assessments and management advice, and these changes may be related to long-term environmental change, shorter-term variability, or potential effects of fishing (SC-CAMLR XXXVII paragraph 3.51, Annex 9 paragraph 2.28).
The parameters that could be evaluated for the effects of environmental variability and change would include mean recruitment, recruitment variability, mean length at age, mean weight at length, natural mortality, and maturation ogives.
Patterns in recruitment from the assessment model, analyses of residuals in fits to length-weight relationships, and analysis of residuals in the mean length at age showed no evidence of trends or variability over time that would influence the management for Antarctic toothfish in this area.
Other factors that may impact assumptions underlying the assessments that could also be considered, including stock distribution (for example, for its impact on tagged fish distribution or research survey interpretation), sex ratio (indicating maturation or other sex specific changes), and the ages or lengths observed in the fishery (indicating changes in vulnerability patterns or mortality).
The workplan associated with the impacts of climate change on this fishery is to:
Use historical data to investigate trends in key parameters affecting estimates of toothfish yield (and hence management advice).
If trends are identified, adjust parameters in stock assessment and yield estimate to allow for trends continuing in future.
Investigate evidence for trends being related to physical, oceanographic or ecological drivers, but note that establishing causality of trends may not be possible and is not essential.
McMillan, P., T. Iwamoto, A. Stewart and P.J. Smith. 2012. A new species of grenadier, genus Macrourus (Teleostei, Gadiformes, Macrouridae) from the southern hemisphere and a revision of the genus. Zootaxa, 3165: 1-24.
Pinkerton, M., P.J. McMillan, J. Forman, P. Marriott, P. Horn, S.J. Bury and J. Brown. 2013. Distribution, morphology and ecology of Macrourus whitsoni and M. caml (gadiformes, macrouridae) in the Ross Sea region. CCAMLR Science, 20: 37-61.