Proposal for complex acoustic and trawl surveys for the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) estimates in the CCAMLR Statistical Subarea 48.3.

Some aspects of acoustic- trawl surveys for the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) assessment in the CCAMLR Statistical Subarea 48.3 as fish with a semi-pelagic distribution are discussed.

It is proposed that present-day icefish survey in  Subarea 48.3 would represents complex trawl and acoustic surveys based on synthesis of two equal methods including acoustic method for pelagic biomass assessment and trawl survey method for assessment of  icefish demersal biomass. Results of these complex trawl and acoustic surveys will provide adequate data for assessment of the Subarea 48.3 icefish biomass and for the CCAMLR length-based method to derive catch limit advice .