Preliminary assessment of mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) for the Heard Island Plateau region (Division 58.5.2) based on a survey in June 2005

A survey of Mackerel Icefish, Champsocephalus gunnari,was undertaken in Division 58.5.2 in the vicinity of Heard Island in June 2005 to provide the information for an assessment of short-term annual yield in the 2005/2006 CCAMLR season. This paper provides a preliminary assessment of yield using the assessment methods of CCAMLR. It is proposed that a one-year projection be used in the implementation of the CCAMLR assessment method because the fish are likely to disappear after they become four years old during the coming season. This would result in an estimated yield of 1,210 tonnes, which is less than that predicted for the coming season in the 2004 assessment by WG-FSA.