Spawning activity of mackerel icefish at South Georgia

Historical information is assessed on the distribution of spawning and larval mackerel icefish within subarea 48.3 (South Georgia). This is considered alongside other new data from commercial fisheries and research surveys. It is concluded that there is strong evidence for inshore spawning during April within and close to the bays on the north side of the island. Some spawning at much lower intensity almost certainly occurs over much of the shelf although the intensity appears to be small in comparison with inshore spawning. There is some evidence for spawning at Shag Rocks although the precise location is unknown and there are indications that there may be a second limited spawning season in October although the evidence is weak.