Results from the New Zealand exploratory fishery for Dissostichus spp. in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 in the 2004/05 season

The New Zealand longliners Janas and San Aspiring were authorised to operate in the Exploratory Fishery in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 during the 2004-05 season. The results from their first season in this fishery are presented. Janas undertook 44 sets in Division 58.4.2 for a catch of 37.9 tonnes of D. mawsoni and 0.395 tonnes of D. eleginoides. Two sets were undertaken in Division 58.4.1 SSRU C for a catch of 0.372 tonnes of D. mawsoni. San Aspiring undertook 20 research sets in Division 58.4.1 SSRU G for a catch of 20.9 tonnes of D. mawsoni and 0.4 tonnes of D. eleginoides.
The first sign of the onset of spawning activity for D. mawsoni was noted this season for this part of the Indian Ocean with 1 ripe female and 10 males sampled in Division 58.4.2 during March.