A survey of mackerel icefish, Champsocephalus gunnari, was undertaken in Division 58.5.2 in the vicinity of Heard Island in March-April 2010 to provide the information for an assessment of short-term annual yield in the 2010/2011 CCAMLR season. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of yield for the area of Division 58.5.2 to the west of 79°20’ E using standard CCAMLR methods. The strong year class detected in the last three years’ surveys is now fully recruited as the 4+ cohort, and dominates the population, however it is assumed this cohort will be unavailable to the fishery in 2010/11. A new 2+ cohort has been detected, and it is expected that the fishery in 2010/11 will focus on this cohort. A new growth model is also estimated which shows an improved fit to observed sizes at age of icefish from recent surveys.
Preliminary assessment of mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in the vicinity of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Division 58.5.2), based on a survey in March–April 2010, including a revised growth model
Document Number:
WG-FSA-10/12
Abstract