Tagging larger toothfish, methods and equipment

The current stock assessment in the Ross Sea (statistical Subareas 88.1 and 88.2) is underpinned by a tag and recapture programme, based on Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni. The tagging of toothfish in this area is a mandatory requirement (Conservation Measure 41-01 Annex C). The Annex requires vessel to “target toothfish of all sizes in order to meet the tagging requirement”. This document details a number of methods and presents plans of some equipment used by New Zealand vessels operated by Sanford Limited a major New Zealand fishing company in order to satisfy this requirement. These techniques and equipment may have relevance in other tagging programmes for the closely related Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides.