Japan and France made the next season’s (2016/17) research plan in research blocks 58.4.4b_1 and 58.4.4b_2 using the updated CCAMLR C2 and Observer data.
The estimated median stock size in block 58.4.4b_1 and 58.4.4b_2 was 380, and 483 tonnes, respectively, in Chapman estimator using R-package tagr. The estimated median stock size in block 58.4.4b_1 and 58.4.4b_2 was 1 057, and 1 153 tonnes, respectively, in CPUE analogy method (reference area: northern area of Subarea 48.4) using the relevant information of reference area (recent median CPUE, estimated biomass and updated area size) recommended by CCAMLR Secretariat in May 2016.
Predicted numbers of tag recaptures from the estimated stock sizes using both Chapman and CPUE analogy methods were generally inconsistent with the observed numbers for each block. The numbers using CPUE analogy method were generally closer to the observed ones for both blocks.
We propose to continue the current research operation for the next fishing season with the same survey design and total sample size of 60 tonnes in order to further strengthen the stock assessments in the area.