Progress report on the Weddell Sea Research Program Stage II

Results of longline survey on Antarctic toothfish in the Weddell Sea (Stage II) are presented in the paper. Options I and II of the survey were carried out from February 10 to February 22, 2014. A total of 34 longlines were set: the Option I – 10+20 and the Option II – 4 at the depths ranging from 605 to 2031 m. A total number of hooks – 116 100, area – 13565 km². Catch value of the Antarctic toothfish was 228 t, by-catch – appr. 2 t. CPUE per 1 km main line was 1635 kg at average. As a result of the Research program Stage II the entire measured biomass of the Antarctic toothfish in the Weddell Sea was determined (565 000 t). It was calculated using areal method recommended by CCAMLR (SC-CCAMLR-XXX, 2011; п. 2.40 (ii)). The research Program Stage II in the Weddell Sea accepted by the CCAMLR Commission (CAMLR-XXXII, par. 5.59-6.60) has been successfully completed.