Continuation in the 2014/15 season of the research plan initiated in 2012/13 for stocks of Dissostichus spp. in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2

In the 2012/13 fishing season Spain began implementing a multi-annual Research Plan for Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 in order to estimate local biomass of Dissostichus spp. by means of two methods: depletion and tagging. This research will continue in the 2014/15 season if ice conditions allow for the vessel's operations, fulfilling Spain's commitment to return to the same fishing areas in order to study inter-annual variability and maximize tag recovery, to progress research in these SSRUs (58.4.1H, G, D and C). Two research surveys have been already implemented in Division 58.4.1 and preliminary estimates of local biomass using Leslie depletion analyses have been obtained. Some recoveries of tagged toothfish have been made, both within-season and between-seasons recaptures. All these data along with the age-growth study by otoliths reading will allow a robust stock assessment by the end of this multiyear research survey.