France and Japan revised a research plan to continue investigating the populations of Patagonian toothfish (D. eleginoides) in the Division 58.4.3a during the next fishing seasons from 2017/18 onwards, using standardized longline gear and established observation and tagging programs.
In this Division, research fishing has been conducted by France and Japan since 2012 in the research block by three vessels using longline: “Shinsei Maru No. 3” (Japan), “Saint André” (France) and “Mascareignes III” (France). The first Franco-Japanese exploratory longline fishery research plan for Dissostichus spp. in Division 58.4.3a (WG-FSA-16/55) was presented to WG-FSA-16, which included research objectives, methods and milestones in accordance with Conservation Measure 41-06 and associated measures.
In October 2017, the Scientific Committee agreed that the research plan was appropriate to achieve its objectives (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, para. 3.121). France and Japan commonly notifies their intention to continue their exploratory fisheries in Division 58.4.3a over the coming years in order to contribute to the tagging program and to achieve a robust stock assessment. We present here a proposal for the continuation of the research plan as set out in WG-FSA-17/55, and taking into account the Scientific Committee’s recommendations.
Summary of revised points from WG-SAM-18/08 is as follows:
- Updates the timeline table of milestones
- Track changes of milestones
- Summary of previous recommendations by WGs and SC (Annex 1).