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    DNA barcoding reveals the presence of Whitson’s grenadier - Macrourus whitsoni in sub-Antarctic waters of South Georgia (Subarea 48.3)

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    Document Number:
    WG-FSA-2025/33
    Author(s):
    Romero Martínez, M.L., J. Abreu, J.P. Queirós, J.C. Xavier, P.R. Hollyman, E. Fitzcharles and M.A. Collins
    Submitted By:
    Dr Martin Collins (United Kingdom)
    Approved By:
    Dr Martin Collins (United Kingdom)
    Accessibility Categories
    Request permission to release each time (RP)
    Agenda Item(s)
    WG-FSA-2025 - 6.1 - Fish by-catch (macrourids, skates, other)
    Publication:
    Submitted to Journal of Fish Biology
    Abstract

    Macrourid species represent a high proportion of the bycatch in Southern Ocean toothfish longline fisheries. Here we report the first confirmed occurrence of the Whitson’s grenadier (Macrourus whitsoni) in the toothfish longline fishery bycatches in South Georgia (Subarea 48.3).  DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cox1 gene confirmed the presence of M. whitsoni from samples collected around South Georgia and northern South Sandwich Islands (Subarea 48.4). The observed estimates of evolutionary divergence indicated a 1% divergence between M. whitsoni in South Georgia/South Sandwich samples and M. caml.