Most things related to Dissostichus spp. in the eastern side of Antarctic has not been known well as namely the area is data poor areas. In the Division 58.4.1 there are two stocks; one extends from the SSRU 58.4.1C to the SSRU 58.4.2A, and the other one to the SSRU 58.4.1H. The population sizes were vulnerable with a big range of about 1,000-2,000 t per SSRU in 58.4.1 and 100-1,500 t per SSRU in 58.4.2. During the 2004-2014 fishing seasons in Division 58.4.1, 58.4.2 and Subarea 48.6, 17,390 Dissostichus spp. were tagged and released, but only 113 fishes among them have been recaptured which were not enough data to estimate stock biomass for considering the precautionary catch limit. Therefore, the catch limits that the meeting got in 2013 meetings increased to get more recapture. The food-web of Dissostichus spp. has started to be studied in the southern Ross Sea. Some studies on biology of the fish have been evaluated, but those are not enough to assess the stocks and consider proper management measures. Based on CCAMLR’s fishery report, the eastern area is still data-poor area showing low recapture rate. Consequently, providing catch and effort data from the area, analysing biological samples, and collecting recapture data focusing on SSRUs in Division 58.4.1, 58.4.2 and Subarea 48.6 is very important.
The Korean scientists collected and analysed the catch, effort, and biological data such as length, weight, gonadal development, and muscle by NO. 3 INSUNG in Division 58.4.1 during 2012/2013 season. However, the results were still not good enough according to lack of data because of the bad sea-ice condition for the survey. Therefore, we will extend the research area and sample size of catch and fishing efforts, and biological data to get more accuracy and effective results to manage the eastern side area of Antarctic.
Therefore, Korea notifies the participation in exploratory fishery for Dissostichus spp. in the SSRUs in Division 58.4.1, 58.4.2 and Subarea 48.6 from 2014/2015 season to 2018/2019 using Korean commercial bottom longline vessel, KINGSTAR belonged to Sunwoo Company in accordance with paragraph of CM 24-01 and paragraph 6 (iii) of CM 21-02 to collect the catch and effort, CTD, tagged and released, recaptured data including archival tag, biological data for estimating biomass for Dissostichus spp. using CASAL and evaluating migration and distribution pattern by developmental maturity and size stages.