REVISED ESTIMATES OF THE AREA OF THE SOUTH GEORGIA AND SHAG ROCKS SHELF (CCAMLR SUBAREA 48.3)

A new South Georgia bathymetric dataset (SGDB) was compiled from a variety of primary sources including multi-beam swath bathymetry. Seafloor area (km2 <500m depth) within CCAMLR subarea 48.3 was calculated using this new dataset. Total seafloor area within the region closely matched existing estimates derived from nautical charts (and single point sounding data). However, the reliability of existing seafloor area estimates were found to vary spatially and between different depth strata. The new dataset is considered the most accurate and reliable currently available and should be used for future assessments and for assisting with the stratification of surveys.