Recently, Japan and Australia conducted shipboard synoptic ecological surveys in the Indian Sector. These surveys covered Division 58.4.1 in austral summer 2018/19 (Japan), the eastern part of Division 58.4.2 in austral summer 2021 (Australia), and a smaller-scale survey in the east Division 58.4.1 in austral summer 2019 (Australia). These surveys included not only Antarctic krill but also other elements of the ecosystem, from oceanography and primary production, to zooplankton and top predators. In addition, data collection on land-based predators—notably penguins and pinnipeds—have continued through activities based from French, Japanese and Australian research stations in this region, which were presented to WG-EMM in recent years. As endorsed by the CAMLR Commission in 2019, the spatial overlap analysis (SOA) framework, to inform the spatial allocation of catch, is one component of the revised krill management approach. Results from an initial SOA in the Divisions 58.4.1 ad 58.4.2 was reported to WG-EMM in 2018. Here we outline the planning phase for updating this SOA using recently acquired data sets.
We ask the Working Group to consider this proposal to update the East Antarctic SOA using new broadscale marine ecosystem survey and land-based predator data, in particular to suggest any improvements that might be made, or even to consider contributing data.