SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS IN THE CAMLR CONVENTION AREA FOR 2009/10 SEASON

Introduction

1. This paper contains a summary of all Scientific Observer data collected on board longline,

trawl and pot vessels in 2009/10.

Longline Observations

2. A total of 31 longline cruises were conducted within the CAMLR Convention Area during

2009/10, with scientific observers (international and national) aboard all vessels. At the time of

writing this paper, one cruise in subarea 58.5.2 was still at sea. Nine cruises were undertaken in

Subarea 48.3 by 9 vessels, two cruises were undertaken in Subarea 48.4 by 2 vessels, three cruises

was undertaken in Subarea 48.6 and Divisions 58.4.1, 58.4.2, 58.4.3a and 58.4.3b by 3 vessels, 3

cruises were conducted by 2 vessels in Division 58.5.2 (one still at sea), one cruise was conducted in

Subareas 58.6 and 58.7 and Area 51, and 13 cruises were undertaken in Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 by 12

vessels.

3. Throughout this paper the data reported are those that have been collected by scientific

observers and unless specified does not include data collected by the crew. A detailed list of the

observations conducted and the types of data submitted to the Secretariat is contained in Table 1.

Incidental Mortality

4. The observed seabird catch rates are calculated using the total numbers of hooks observed and

the total observed seabird mortality (Table 2). Two seabird mortalities were observed on the Tronio

in Subarea 48.3, a grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) and a Southern black-browed

albatross (T. melanophrys). Two Cape petrels (Daption capense) mortalities were observed on the

Austral Leaser II in Division 58.5.2.