Development of methods relevant to feedback management (FBM) for the krill fishery

The primary objective for this project is to develop knowledge on the marine environment essential for the implementation of a Feed-Back Management (FBM) system. In terms of FBM, Marine Protected Area (MPA) development in CCAMLR Planning Domain 1 encompasses the major krill fishing grounds. Thus, data supporting FBM as an integral part of the broader management strategies of the krill fisheries within Domain 1 are critical if the fishery is to be managed by an empirical understanding of krill density, distribution, availability and predator needs. A future developed FBM system, as presented in SC-CAMLR XXXVI/BG20 requires acoustic data to be collected, processed and reported continuously during the fishing season as a measure of the available prey field. This information can be integrated with finer-scale knowledge of krill predator feeding strategies and updated through specific scientific studies at regular (multiyear) intervals. The FBM process studies will take place during the Austral summer 2018-2019.