Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system to monitor Antarctic toothfish distribution and abundance: pilot study results and future design

The Antarctic toothfish (Dissotichus mawsoni) is an ecologically and commercially relevant fish. Lacks of information on the species come from the traditional fishery-based methodology to collect samples, which does not cover all the areas of its distribution. Here we want to promote an alternative non-extractive methodology to expand the routine collection of data in areas not accessible by the fishing vessels and under protection, as the Ross Sea shelf zones seasonally covered by sea-ice: the use of Baited Remote Underwater Video camera (BRUV). From the video they can be inferred information on abundance and distribution of the species. During the last three years, a pilot study has been carried out in McMurdo Sound and Terra Nova Bay, and first results are reported. We propose some improvements of the tool and an approach for a robust sampling design, to obtain valid information on the relations between Antarctic toothfish and environmental parameters of the shelf areas. We have designed a random, spatially stratified, survey approach using comparable, standardized sampling gears and methodologies. We expect from the FSA group suggestions and the support of the design, to make it available for all the Members interested to take part in the data collection.