Toothfish, skate and longline by-catch survey in Subarea 48.3

This was the first deep-water trawl survey of the South Georgia Maritime Zone funded by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) as part of the South Georgia Project. The survey was focused primarily at providing new information on the distribution, biology and ecology of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) at South Georgia as well as providing information on bycatch species of the longline fishery, particularly grenadiers (Macrourids) and Skates (Rajids). A further key aim of the survey was to employ the AUDOS baited camera system to provide new information on the distribution and behavior of toothfish and other species found over the shelf edge at South Georgia.
The primary objectives of the survey were to: -
• Determine toothfish distribution and population structure in the South Georgia and Shag Rocks regions;
• Provide further information on the biology and ecology of toothfish;
• Commence tagging studies on rajids to contribute to our understanding of their stock structure, migrations, and growth;
• Investigate the biological characteristics of potential relevance to stock dynamics for all fish species in the area including by-catch species of the longline fishery ie macrourids; and
• Deploy AUDOS to investigate the distribution of toothfish at depths beyond which fishing is
undertaken