WG-FSA-02

Considerable progress was made on the survey database in early 2002. However, this work had to be postponed because of a higher priority need for developing a web-based data system for the Catch Documentation Scheme. Work on the survey database in 2002 included:
• revision of the database model;
• documentation of the database specifications;
• development of data uploading Read More
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The diet of Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni captured by bottom longline in the Ross Sea was studied during the 2001 (3937 stomachs examined) and 2002 (5426 stomachs examined) summer fishing seasons. Fish sampled in 2001 were caught in 317-2154 m depths and ranged in length from 58–190 cm total length (TL) while fish sampled in 2002 were caught in 815-1623 m depths and ranged in length Read More
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The Prince Edward Islands support the largest breeding population of the vulnerable Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans. The number of birds breeding in this population has fluctuated over the past three decades and appears to be the result of both real changes in the size of the population and changes in the proportion of the population that attempts to breed in a given year. We describe Read More
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This paper summarises seabird bycatch during 1 July 2001-30 June 2002 of sanctioned longline fishing for Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides in the Exclusive Economic Zone around South Africa’s Prince Edward Islands. Data were obtained from fishery observers aboard all nine sanctioned fishing trips. Fishing effort was 2.9 million hooks, a 36% reduction on the number of hooks set in Read More
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Two species of albatross breed in Chile, namely Thalassarche melanophrys and T. chrysostoma, and feed both in Antarctic waters and the South-eastern Pacific. Consequently they are subject to two different management regimes. This fact and the article XI of the CCAMLR Convention, suggests the need of harmonizing conservation measures in both areas. In this progress report we describe the main Read More
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The results of researches carried out in expeditions of S?? “?tlantida” in summer-autumn period of the southern hemisphere from 30 January to 14 March 2002 are presented. These researches included the bottom trawl survey on the shelf of South Georgia, Shag Rocks and Black Rocks (53?10-55?30 S, 35?40-42?50 W); the acoustic survey with control hauls targeting recorded aggregations on the South Read More
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Germany conducted a bottom trawl survey aboard RV ‘Polarstern’ around Elephant Island and the lower South Shetland Islands in January–February 2002 in close collaboration with the US Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR). Length–weight relationships were similar in the two areas for those species for which an extended length range was covered (Chaenocephalus aceratus, Read More
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Germany, in close collaboration with the United States Antarctic Marine Living (U.S. AMLR) Program, conducted an investigation of an 7 x 10 nm ‘box’ between 100 and 300 m depth to the west of Elephant Island (Subarea 48.1) in order to study the meso – scale abundance of demersal finfish species. Diversity in the box was relatively low. The most abundant species were Gobionotothen gibberifrons Read More
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Conservation Measure # 216 requires vessels fishing in sub area 88.1 + sink longlines at 0.3 m/s to 15 m depth. Sink rates can be achieved by adding external weights to lines or by using lines with weigh integrated into the rope fibres. The sink rates to 15 m depth of 9 mm demersal longlines with integrated weight (IW) were tested against unweighted longlines and lines with externally attached Read More
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Germany conducted a bottom trawl survey aboard R/V ‘Polarstern’ around Elephant Island and the South Shetland Islands in January – February 2002 in close collaboration with the U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR). Information on species composition, biomass, and size distribution of the abundant fish species was provided. Estimates of total biomass for Elephant Island and the Read More
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Longlines that sink fast reduce the time available to seabirds to attack baited hooks and are important in efforts to minimise seabird by-catch in longline fisheries. We measured sink rates in still water of longlines made by Fiskevegn, the world’s leading manufacturer of demersal longlines. Lines with integrated weight (lead cores) sank two-three times faster (45- 52 cm/second) than Read More
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Fecundity and size at sexual maturity were investigated in 486 bigeye grenadier, Macrourus holotrachys caught as bycatch in the Patagonian toothfish longline fishery conducted around South Georgia. Macroscopic and histological investigations revealed that absolute fecundity ranged from 22,000 to 260,000 eggs, a relatively high number for a macrourid. Mature ovaries were found to contain eggs Read More
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The fecundity and egg size of three species of lithodid crab caught in CCAMLR Subarea 48.3 was examined. Relative fecundity (eggs-g body weight) and egg size was found to differ significantly between species. The highest relative fecundity and smallest egg size was found in Paralomis spinosissima which is found in shallower waters, whereas the lowest relative fecundity values and largest eggs Read More
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In 2000 the UK started a toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) tagging programme. The aims were to investigate the spatial and temporal movement of fish and to validate growth estimates. Since then approximately 2,260 toothfish have been tagged and released during groundfish surveys and CCAMLR observer trips. Of these, about 900 have also been injected with either Strontium Chloride or Read More
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Digital pictures and morphological measures are presented to aid CCAMLR observers with the identification of three macrourid species caught as bycatch in the fishery for Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, in Sub-Area 48.3. Scaling under the snout was used to separate Macrourus holotrachys (no scales) from both Macrourus whitsoni and Macrourus carinatus (which are both scaled). The Read More
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Data on maturity, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and length/weight of Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni were collected from Sub-area 88.1 in the 2001-2002 season by the New Zealand bottom longline vessels Janas and San Aotea II operating in the Exploratory Fishery. The onset of the spawning season was identified as late autumn (May). A significant difference in the condition of fish between Read More
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Samples of macrourid rattail bycatch from the toothfish fishery in sub-areas 88.1 & 88.2 in 2002 were identified by observers and returned to New Zealand for subsequent confirmation of their identity by NIWA researchers. Two species were found, Macrourus whitsoni and M. holotrachys. A previously aged sample from 1999 was confirmed as being M. whitsoni based on otolith comparisons and the Read More
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Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) from the Ross Sea (CCAMLR sub-area 88.1) have been aged assuming that one translucent zone is formed annually in the otoliths of this species. However, no evidence to validate this assumption has previously been presented. In the current work, sagittal otoliths were examined from D. mawsoni that had been injected with oxytetracycline some years before Read More
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A summary of current research underway in New Zealand on seabirds vulnerable to fisheries interactions is provided in two referenced tables, one describing population research and the other describing foraging range data available.

Results from the 2002 season of the New Zealand toothfish fishery in Subarea 88.1 & 88.2 are reviewed and compared to previous seasons. Catch and effort data and biological information for Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) are presented. The catch for the 2002 season was almost double that for 2001, and CPUE was the highest for any year. Read More
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1. This paper describes a new method for estimating IUU catch of fish and birds. It utilises high quality, well-documented FPV (fisheries protection vessel) cruise data. It takes explicit account of both “seen” and “unseen” IUU fishing through a simulation model to arrive statistically rigorous estimates and confidence intervals of fish and bird catch by IUU vessels. This method has not been Read More
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Little is known about the bycatch of skates, rays and macrourids in the target longline fishery for toothfish in the Ross Sea. Following concerns about the accuracy of reporting of bycatch raised by the 2001 CCAMLR bycatch subgroup, the processes for recording bycatch in this fishery were reviewed and the accuracy of data recording was investigated. Current systems were considered to be Read More
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This report provides the first analysis of standardised catch per unit of effort (CPUE) from the exploratory fishery for Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni, which has operated in Subarea 88.1 for five seasons, from 1997 to 2002. Two analyses are presented. The first (all-ground) analysis reviewed catch from 1998 to 2002 (excluding the 1997 season as insufficient data were available), and Read More
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Regression equations relating total length (TL), pelvic length, disc width and weight are provided for Amblyraja georgiana by sex, and for both sexes combined. For all regressions, there were significant differences between the two sexes: females are broader and heavier than males at lengths greater than about 90 cm TL. There were insufficient data to adequately define length-length and length Read More
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Longline fisheries have expanded throughout the world’s oceans since major commercial distant-water pelagic fleets began fishing for tuna and tuna-like species in the early 1950s. Along with the more recent development and expansion of demersal longline fleets for species such as Patagonian toothfish, these vessels are a major source of mortality to several species of seabird. Vessels can set Read More
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Results of the acoustic survey of icefish carried out by Russian vessel STM-8390 Atlantida in February-March 2002 in Subarea 48.3 are presented. Biomass and distribution of icefish were obtained using multi-frequency echosounder EK-500 and Sonar Data EchoView software. Target strength estimates of icefish were made by comparison an observed TS in situ histograms with the size composition of Read More
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The proposals for comparative tests of bottom trawls are presented. The following sections are discussed: place and time of realization; preparatory works; comparative trawlings; acoustic support; observation data processing.

This paper presents estimates of the total removals of fish and invertebrate bycatch by fishing season and fishing ground, from the D. eleginoides and C. gunnari trawl fisheries in Division 58.5.2. On average, 94 % of hauls in the D. eleginoides fishery and 93% of hauls in the C. gunnari fishery were observed. The percentage of observed hauls was used as a scaling factor to convert observed Read More
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A survey of mackerel icefish, Champsocephalus gunnari, was undertaken in Division 58.5.2 in the vicinity of Heard Island in May 2002 to provide the information for an assessment of yield in the 2002/2003 CCAMLR season. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of yield using the assessment methods of CCAMLR and discusses the implications of these results in relation to previous CCAMLR Read More
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Estimates of age and growth were determined from 156 Macrourus carinatus otolith samples collected during two research voyages to Heard and McDonald Islands (Division 58.5.2) in 1992 and 1993. The estimated range of ages was 4 – 25 years. von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated for both sexes combined, resulting in values of: L8 = 635 mm, K = 0.088 and t0 = -1.8. The size at sexual Read More
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Information on the rates of incidental mortality of birds experienced by IUU vessels is extremely difficult to obtain. CCAMLR has, in the past, used data from the 1997 legitimate fishery, when a large number of birds were caught and when the implementation of mitigation measures was low, to approximate the IUU situation. This paper describes analyses undertaken using the 1997 data to refine Read More
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Framework for IPOA-Seabirds implementation and structure of NPOA-Seabirds is discussed. Interagency cooperation as well as international cooperation is vital for the efficient and effective implementation of IPOA and NPOA. Education and outreach activities are listed. Numerous opportunities for international outreach and cooperation occurred in 2002.

This report presents results from the first exchange of otoliths under the auspices of the CCAMLR Otolith Network (CON), following the Workshop on Estimating Age in Patagonian Toothfish held at the Centre for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology (CQFE), Old Dominion University, United States, from 23 to 27 July 2001. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Nelson, New Zealand; Read More
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In 2001, WG-FSA asked the Intersessional Subgroup on Sampling Catches from Longlines to develop recommendations on 1) subsampling methods using frames and sampling units based on time and gear; 2) the allocation of observer effort within longline haul and between hauls; and 3) the allocation of observer effort directed toward fishery target species versus ecological interactions. Both Read More
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The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended changes to the existing regulations for seabird avoidance measures required in the groundfish and halibut demersal longline fisheries off Alaska. One of the main recommendations is for the required use of paired streamer lines on larger vessels. Changes were based on research results from a two-year study conducted by the Read More
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We describe a previously unknown Amblyraja, A..sp.anon, from South Georgia. In the past this form has been classified as Amblyraja. georgiana. A.sp.anon differs from A. georgiana in form, colour and patternation, maturity, male clasper length, and distribution. It is larger than A.georgiana, with females attaining total lengths up 122.5 cm and males 117.5cm, compared with 96 and 101 for A. Read More
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The total capture of rays in the Subarea 48.3 longline fishery is composed both of rays brought on board and a number that are knocked off the line or fall off before they reach the deck. We estimated total capture (ray numbers) for some of vessels fishing in Subarea 48.3 in 2001 by utilising new information collected by observers on the rays appearing during their tally period. This estimate Read More
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In 2001/2002 Russian and UK vessels undertook surveys for icefish at South Georgia. Both used acoustic and trawl methods, and this paper uses both datasets to explore the similarities and differences between the surveys and discuss how much of the variation between the vessels was due to differences in the gear used and how much was due to natural spatial/temporal variability of the stock. The Read More
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The role of fish in the Antarctic food web in inshore and offshore waters is analysed taking as an example the coastal marine communities of the southern Scotia Arc (South Orkney Islands and South Shetland Islands) and the west Antarctic Peninsula. Inshore, the ecological role of demersal fish is more important than that of krill. There, demersal fish are major consumers of benthos and also Read More
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Thirty nine Dissostichus eleginoides were released in the vicinity of Heard Island carrying archival tags in April 2002. Since then seven have been recaptured and the depth and temperature data they recorded is analysed here. Most of the fish had periods of active vertical movement alternating with periods of relative inactivity, loosely correlated with moon phase. The direction of vertical Read More
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This manual provides the documentation required for running the mixture program, CMIX, and its user interface through an Excel spreadsheet Add-In. This software is available through the secretariat as well as the AAD.

This manual provides the documentation required for running the Generalised Yield Model (GYM) and its graphics user interface, which is available through the secretariat as well as the AAD.

This manual provides the documentation required for running the spatially-explicit population simulation software, Fish Heaven, which is available through the secretariat as well as the AAD.

Kirkwood and Agnew (2001, paper WG-FSA-01/48) proposed an ad hoc method for estimating selectivity curves for toothfish taken by longliners around South Georgia and Shag Rocks over the period 1995 – 1999. This method was applied by WG-FSA-01, with minor amendments, to estimate annual age-specific selectivities for the years 1995 – 2000 for input to the GYM assessment. In this paper, I propose Read More
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The icefish fishery on the Kerguelen shelf has been stopped after the1994/95 fishing season when 3889 tonnes of Champsocephalus gunnari were landed (see CCAMLR statistical bulletins) because yields were not enough high and the lucrative fishery of Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides deverted fishermen from these specific shallow fishing grounds. However to follow the situation in the Read More
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The northern geographical distribution of the toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides, reaches the Exclusive Economic Zone of Uruguay. The species was firstly cited for the uruguayan waters by Devincenzi in 1924, and it is usually found by fishing trawlers between 900 m and 1200 m of depth, along the submarine continental ridges. Since 1997 some fishing vessels, like the F/V “Viking Sky”, started Read More
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This paper describes and studies the very first data about the fishery of the toothfish Dissostichus elegjnoides , obtained by a Scientific Observer from DINARA on board of the uruguayan F/V “Viarsa I”, in the eastern Indian Ocean (FAO Statistical Area 57). The fishing trip was performed from the 13 of april to the 24 of june 2002.
It was determined five zones by the F/V “Viarsa I” fishing Read More
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This paper describes the changes and development of a number of software packages developed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) that are relevant to the CCAMLR Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment. The software includes the Generalised Yield Model (GYM), Fish Heaven and CMIX. Copies of the software along with associated files such as manuals and example -sets will be available through Read More
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CCAMLR currently establishes catch limits each year for Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, that can be sustained over the generation time of the species, maintaining the population at a productive level with only a small chance of become depleted. The increasing levels of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing for toothfish in the CCAMLR area threatens the success of Read More
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A survey of Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, was undertaken in Division 58.5.2 in the vicinity of Heard Island in May 2002 to provide the information for an assessment of long-term annual yield in the 2002/2003 CCAMLR season and beyond. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of yield using the assessment methods of CCAMLR, a summary of which is presented here. The estimate Read More
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This paper reports on continuing exploration of conversion factors and the relationship between product weight & length frequency distribution in the exploratory fishery for Dissostichus spp. in sub-area 88.1 and more recently in sub-area 88.2.

Data on food and feeding of two icefish species, Champsocephalus gunnari and Chaenocephalus aceratus, were collected in the Elephant Island – South Shetland Islands region during the AMLR cruise in March 2001 with RV ‘Yuzhmorgeologiya’ and ANTXIX/3 in January – February 2002 with RV ‘Polarstern’. C. gunnari fed almost exclusively on krill (Euphausia superba) in both years. C. aceratus fed on Read More
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To provide an age-length key for use in modelling the age structure of the Patagonian toothfish stock around the Falkland Islands, we used otoliths to estimate the age of a sample of 1893 Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) captured by trawl and in the longline fishery. We used a thin section grinding machine to reveal a transverse plane through the otolith nucleus and between Read More
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To provide an age-length key for use in modelling the age structure of the Patagonian toothfish stock around South Georgia, we used otoliths to estimate the age of a sample of 264 Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) captured in the longline fishery. We used a thin section grinding machine to reveal a transverse plane through the otolith nucleus and between crenellations. A single Read More
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The CPUE-based Age-Structured Production Model (ASPM) assessment of this resource by Brandão et al. (2001) is updated to take account of further catch and effort data that have become available over the past year. This leads to an improved picture of resource status compared to a year previously, but a spawning biomass nevertheless still estimated to be heavily depleted and at a level of only Read More
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Samples of Chaenocephalus aceratus were collected during a trawl survey carried out around the South Shetland Islands in the austral summer 2002 (January-February). Fish were caught by commercial bottom trawl fishing down to 500 m depth, using a stratified randomized sampling design. As observed in other recent surveys within the same area, C. aceratus represented one of the predominant Read More
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Dynamic production models (DPM) have been proposed for D. eleginoides stock assessment in subarea 48.3. This type of the models differ from the models currently used by CCAMLR Working group on fish stock assessment as they do not require certain initial data and parameters (natural mortality, age selectivity, recruitment estimates, mean weight at age) In the calculations with DPM (with Read More
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Results of the inventory trawling survey of icefish carried out by Russian vessel STM-8390 Atlantida in February 2002 in Subarea 48.3 are presented. During this period, the fish were mainly foraging. Champsocephalus gunnary 22-28 cm in length at the age of 2-3 predominated on all grounds of the Subarea, except the north-eastern part. During the survey, specimens 15 cm in length at the age of 2 Read More
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Over the last two years, discussions in WG-EMM, WG-FSA and the Scientific Committee have highlighted a need to develop an integrated work plan to develop and validate assessment methods.
WG-FSA noted (paragraph 11.3, WG-FSA 2001) that there are substantial difficulties added to the work of the assessment subgroup when new quantitative methodologies are introduced and incorporated into Read More
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