Revised research plan for the exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus spp. in 2015/16 in Division 58.4.2

Exploratory fishing for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in Division 58.4.2 began in 2003. Robust stock assessment and catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for this Division. In 2014, the fishery was limited to one Japanese and one Spanish flagged vessel using longlines only, but there was no fishing activity. France notifies its wish to collaborate in this research fishery with the other participants over the coming years in order to participate in the tagging program and achieve a robust stock assessment. The aim is to collect sufficient data to provide an advice on a catch limit according to CCAMLR decision rules. This paper presents a proposal for a research plan for 2015/2016 developed under Conservation Measure 41-01. The biomass in the Division was estimated during WG-FSA 2014 using CPUE x seabed analogy method. In the absence of an assessment using the CCAMLR decision rules, the catch limit should remain unchanged at 35 tonnes for 2015/16 to maximize the expectation of tag-recapture.