Research plan for the exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus spp. in 2014/15 in Division 58.4.4

Regarding the low levels of stocks of Dissostichus spp. and the high levels of IUU fishing, CCAMLR decided to close the fishery in 2002 in division 58.4.4. Since 2008 only one vessel, Shinsei maru No. 3, has conducted research fishing in accordance with a research plan submitted under CM 24-01. France notifies its wish to collaborate in this research fishery over the coming years in order to participate in the tagging program and achieve a robust stock assessment. The aim is to provide advice on a catch limit according to CCAMLR decision rules and allow an earlier decision to reopen this area. This paper presents a research plan for 2014/2015. The stock assessments are still in development and the estimates of abundance are not sufficiently reliable to define a new catch limit. France suggests continuing with the same survey design and with the total research catch limits agreed in 2013: 25 tons for SSRU C and for 35 tons for SSRU D. It is likely to result in sufficient tag recaptures to substantially refine the stock assessment.