Data on maturity, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and length weight of Antarctic Toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni were collected from Sub areas 88.1 and 88.2 in the 2002-2003 season by the New Zealand bottom longline vessels Janas, Avro Chieftain and San Aotea II operating in the Exploratory Fishery. The first fully mature female fish were found in December, three months earlier than in the previous season.
The onset of spawning in D. mawsoni is in December and continues until at least June, in both Sub-areas 88.1 and 88.2, and spawning occurs on isolated geographic features north of the main Antarctic shelf areas. One of the mature fish caught in Sub Area 88.2 had originally been tagged in McMurdo Sound Sub Area 88.1 in 1986.
A new 7 stage recording system is proposed for D. mawsoni to be agreed at WG-FSA.v
Information on the spawning of Dissostichus mawsoni from Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 in the 2003/04 season
Document Number:
WG-FSA-04/34
Agenda Item(s)
Abstract