WG-IMAF-2023 | Meetings

Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing

Location:

Hobart, Australia

Meeting Start Date/Time:

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Meeting End Date/Time:

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Submissions Due

Thursday, 21 September 2023 - 09:00 Australia/Hobart (Working Group Paper)

Detailed information is available in our support forum, which includes the process for submitting papers and revisions.

Meeting Report:

e-sc-42-a7.pdf (502.91 KB)

Meeting Documents

Documents

Document Number	Title	Agenda Item(s)
SC-CAMLR-42/05 More Info	Report of the Krill Fishery Observer Workshop (Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, 19 to 21 July 2023) Submitted By: Ms Catherine Stubberfield (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Catherine Stubberfield (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	3.3
SC-CAMLR-42/10 More Info	Report of the Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (Kochi, India, 3 to 14 July 2023) Submitted By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	3.3
WG-FSA-2023/06 More Info	CCAMLR fishery data forms and manuals development status CCAMLR Secretariat Abstract: This paper provides a summary of status of current vessel and observer forms and associated manuals, and considers technical advice and updates that may be required to progress future form and manual developments as a result of proposed data collection requirements from the Scientific Committee and its Working Groups. Submitted By: Mr Isaac Forster (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Catherine Stubberfield (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	8
WG-FSA-2023/72 More Info	Progress on the CCAMLR gear library CCAMLR Secretariat Abstract: In 2022, the Scientific Committee tasked the Secretariat with collating and making available fishing net diagrams and net configuration measurements submitted during the fishery notification process on the CCAMLR gear library webpage. Members were also requested to submit papers with additional net diagrams, configurations, and descriptions of operations to Read More Submitted By: Ms Claire Van Werven (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	3.4
WG-IMAF-2023/01 More Info	Update on Net Monitor Cable and whale mitigation devices on krill vessels Moir Clark, J., B. Viney, K. Mackey, U. Lindstrøm and B. A. Krafft Abstract: During WG-IMAF-2022 the results of the net monitoring cable (NMC) trials undertaken during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons were presented in papers WG-IMAF-2022/10 and WG-IMAF-2022/11 respectively. The Working Group subsequently recommended that the three vessels that had undergone the trial be granted a derogation from CM 25-03 provided they maintain Read More Submitted By: Mr James Clark (Norway) Approved By: Dr Bjørn Krafft (Norway) Request Meeting Document	3.4, 4.3
WG-IMAF-2023/02 More Info	Bycatch in the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) trawl fishery Krafft, B.A., A. Lowther and L.A. Krag Submitted By: Dr Bjørn Krafft (Norway) Approved By: Dr Bjørn Krafft (Norway) Publication: Fisheries Management and Ecology, 2022;00:1–7. DOI: 10.1111/fme.12607 Request Meeting Document	2
WG-IMAF-2023/03 Rev. 1 More Info	Summary of Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing activities data collected during the 2023 season, and a draft method for the extrapolation of IMAF and warp strikes. CCAMLR Secretariat Abstract: This paper summarises data collected by Scheme of International Scientific Observation observers and vessels reporting incidental interactions between fishing vessels, seabirds and marine mammals during fishing activities undertaken during the 2023 season, and presents a draft method for the extrapolation of IMAF and warp strikes based on a spatial and temporal Read More Submitted By: Mr Isaac Forster (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	2
WG-IMAF-2023/04 More Info	Developing a protocol to assess seabird strikes in the krill fishery Arata, J. and I. Debski Submitted By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	4.2
WG-IMAF-2023/05 More Info	Seabird warp strike observation protocols for trawl fisheries Debski, I. Submitted By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	5
WG-IMAF-2023/06 More Info	Update on ACAP activities and advice ACAP Submitted By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	4.1
WG-IMAF-2023/07 More Info	Review of Mitigation Measures for reducing Seabird interactions with fishing gear in trawl fisheries Arata, J. and I. Debski Submitted By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Approved By: Ms Mariana Cordeiro (CCAMLR Secretariat) Request Meeting Document	4.3
WG-IMAF-2023/08 More Info	CCAMLR protocols for pinniped identification, sexing, and length measurement Pardo, E., D. Krause, R. Borras-Chavez and H. McGovern Abstract: This paper introduces a pinnipeds ID guide in response to task 2.3 Development of protocols for pinniped sex and length sampling and training materials (Marine mammals – incidental mortality), as part of the agreed intersessional work plan from WG-IMAF 2022. The guide presented here is the first attempt to provide additional information to scientific observers for pinniped identification and Read More Submitted By: Mr Enrique Pardo (New Zealand) Approved By: Mr Nathan Walker (New Zealand) Request Meeting Document	3.3
WG-IMAF-2023/09 More Info	Develop efficient and robust Escape-Opening of Seal Exclusion Device for conventional Antarctic krill midwater trawl Ying, Y., H. Huang and X. Zhao Abstract: For developing efficient Marine Mammal Exclusion Device, this paper introduced an optimized escape opening used in Seal Exclusion Device, which may enhance the robust of the opening shape and improves visibility by strengthening the edges, and provide more opportunity for fur seals to escape through a larger square of Read More Submitted By: Dr Yi-Ping Ying (China) Approved By: Dr Xianyong Zhao (China) Request Meeting Document	3.4
WG-IMAF-2023/10 More Info	Draft data collection form for whale incidental mortality events in the krill trawl fishery Kelly, N., R. Leaper and L. Leach Abstract: During its 2022 meeting, WG-IMAF noted the need to develop a data collection template and accompanying instructions for krill trawling vessels to report standardised data in the event of a whale mortality event. Independent of WG-IMAF discussions, the US Marine Mammal Commission generously provided to IWC-SC a potential data collection form for recording information on whale Read More Submitted By: Dr Nat Kelly (Australia) Approved By: Dr Philippe Ziegler (Australia) Request Meeting Document	3.3
WG-IMAF-2023/11 More Info	Global political responsibility for the conservation of ACAP Priority Populations of albatrosses and petrels of relevance to CCAMLR Phillips, R.A., P. Catry, M. Dias, S. Oppel, D.J. Anderson, K. Delord, G. Elliott, D. Nicholls, K. Walker, R. Wanless, H. Weimerskirch and M. Beal Abstract: The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) has identified nine Priority Populations for conservation on which advocacy and other activities might focus. Here we present the results of an analysis of global political responsibility for the seven ACAP Priority Populations of relevance for CCAMLR, based on tracking data, that identifies the Read More Submitted By: Professor Richard Phillips (United Kingdom) Approved By: Dr Martin Collins (United Kingdom) Request Meeting Document	4
WG-IMAF-2023/12 More Info	Key considerations in addressing seabird and marine mammal bycatch in CCAMLR fisheries Favero, M., N. Walker, I. Debski and R.A. Phillips Abstract: CCAMLR achieved a significant progress in addressing seabird bycatch in its longline fisheries, model that is followed in a range of fisheries worldwide. New actual and potential challenges and opportunities are changing the scenario of conservation issues and strategies to address incidental mortality, in particular for Read More Submitted By: Dr Marco Favero (Argentina) Approved By: Dr María Mercedes Santos (Argentina) Request Meeting Document	2, 3.3, 4.2, 5
WG-IMAF-2023/13 More Info	Light pollution guidelines and their application in CCAMLR fisheries Barrington, J. Abstract: CCAMLR conservation measures for seabird bycatch mitigation in longline and trawl fishing in the Convention Area seek to minimise artificial light at night. But advice is not provided about how minimisation of any light pollution is to be achieved. Light pollution guidelines for wildlife, and mitigation standards for reducing light-induced vessel strikes of Read More Submitted By: Ms Bailey Bourke (Australia) Approved By: Dr Philippe Ziegler (Australia) Request Meeting Document	7
WG-IMAF-2023/14 More Info	Metapopulation distribution shapes year-round fisheries bycatch risk for a circumpolar seabird Rexer-Huber, K., T.A. Clay, P. Catry, I. Debski, G.C. Parker, R. Ramos, B.C. Robertson, P.G. Ryan, P.M. Sagar, A. Stanworth, D.R. Thompson, G.N. Tuck, H. Weimerskirch and R.A. Phillips Abstract: For vulnerable marine megafauna, understanding migratory connectivity and its implications for spatiotemporal overlap with threats is crucial for developing targeted management strategies. Amongst their most severe threats is incidental mortality (bycatch) in fisheries. However, few studies have examined year-round co-occurrence of populations and the Read More Submitted By: Professor Richard Phillips (United Kingdom) Approved By: Dr Martin Collins (United Kingdom) Request Meeting Document	4
WG-IMAF-2023/15 More Info	Observation on the interaction between Antarctic fur seal and krill fishing operation in Subarea 48.3 during the fishing season in 2020 Ying, Y., J. Zhang, X. Wang, X. Zhao, X. Yu, J. Zhu, and Z. Huang Abstract: Observation on the interaction between Antarctic fur seal and krill fishing operation was carried out onboard the Chinese krill fishing vessel Fu Rong Hai in Subarea 48.3 during July and August 2020, following a similar observation in 2019. Three year vertical distribution of krill swarms from Read More Submitted By: Dr Yi-Ping Ying (China) Approved By: Dr Xianyong Zhao (China) Request Meeting Document	3
WG-IMAF-2023/16 More Info	Power and precision of warp strike observation rates in the Area 48 krill fishery Maschette, D., S. Wotherspoon, N. Walker, M. Double, P. Ziegler and N. Kelly Abstract: During its 2022 meeting, the Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing (WG-IMAF) reviewed results of extrapolations of the number of warp strike incidents, as informed by the protocols for SISO observers in CCAMLR trawl fisheries requiring one 15 min observation period per vessel per day. As a result, WG-IMAF noted that the recommended one 15-minute warp strike observation Read More Submitted By: Mr Dale Maschette (Australia) Approved By: Dr Philippe Ziegler (Australia) Request Meeting Document	4.2
WG-IMAF-2023/17 More Info	Preliminary results of the trial on net monitoring cable/warp seabird-strike mitigation measures conducted by the Chinese F/V SHEN LAN during the 2022/23 fishing season Wang, Z., B. Su, G. Fan, H. Huang, Y. Ying, H. Hua and X. Zhao Abstract: The Chinese krill fishing vessel F/V SHEN LAN conducted her first trial on net monitoring cable seabird-strike mitigation measure during the 2022/23 fishing season in accordance with CM 25-03 (2022). Two types of fishing systems were used by the vessel during this fishing season. The continuous trawling system was only used from 22 Dec 2022 to 15 Jan 2023 in Read More Submitted By: Dr Yi-Ping Ying (China) Approved By: Dr Xianyong Zhao (China) Request Meeting Document	4, 4.3
WG-IMAF-2023/18 Rev. 1 More Info	Review of seabird bycatch mitigation in CCAMLR demersal longline fisheries Barrington, J., R. Arangio, I. Debski and M. McNeill Abstract: CCAMLR conservation measures for seabird bycatch mitigation in demersal longline fisheries in the Convention Area have been reviewed. The review assesses whether there have been any recent developments concerning seabird bycatch mitigation technologies and techniques, particularly those of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), Read More Submitted By: Ms Sally Carney (Australia) Approved By: Dr Philippe Ziegler (Australia) Request Meeting Document	4.3
WG-IMAF-2023/P01 More Info	Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse Krause, D.J., R.L. Brownell Jr., C.A. Bonin, S.M. Woodman, D. Shaftel and G.M. Watters Abstract: Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) are an iconic marine mammal, an important component of Antarctic ecosystems, and a key indicator species for regional fisheries management. Recent studies have demonstrated A. gazella is composed of at least four distinct subpopulations, including one breeding on the South Shetland Islands. These South Shetland Read More Submitted By: Dr Douglas Krause (United States of America) Approved By: Dr George Watters (United States of America) Publication: Accepted for publication at Mammal Review. DOI: 10.1111/MAM.12327. Request Meeting Document	3.2, 6

Agenda

Preliminary Agenda

Expand All Annotations | Expand All Documents | Collapse All

1 Opening of the meeting

Documents

1.1 Introduction

Annotations

The meeting will start with an introduction by the WG Conveners and information to delegates of administrative, technical, and organizational matters

Documents

1.2 Adoption of the Agenda

Annotations

The agenda for the meeting was developed following the workplan identified by the Scientific Committee in 2022. It will be reviewed, modified if necessary and adopted.

Documents

1.3 Review of terms of reference and the work plan

Annotations

The Working Group will review the Terms of Reference (See SC-CIRC 23/52 and the work plan set out in SC-CAMLR-41, Table 8).

Documents

2 Review of incidental mortality in CCAMLR fisheries

Annotations

The Working Group will review development of tools to explore and analyse incidental mortality at finer spatial and temporal scales (intersessional task 1.1), and the development of risk assessment for seabirds and marine mammals (intersessional task 3.1)

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/02	Bycatch in the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) trawl fishery Krafft, B.A., A. Lowther and L.A. Krag
WG-IMAF-2023/03 Rev. 1	Summary of Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing activities data collected during the 2023 season, and a draft method for the extrapolation of IMAF and warp strikes. CCAMLR Secretariat
WG-IMAF-2023/12	Key considerations in addressing seabird and marine mammal bycatch in CCAMLR fisheries Favero, M., N. Walker, I. Debski and R.A. Phillips

3 Marine mammal incidental mortality

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/15

Observation on the interaction between Antarctic fur seal and krill fishing operation in Subarea 48.3 during the fishing season in 2020
Ying, Y., J. Zhang, X. Wang, X. Zhao, X. Yu, J. Zhu, and Z. Huang

3.1 Population status of marine mammals in the CAMLR convention area

Documents

3.2 Incidental mortality and risk assessments of marine mammals in CCAMLR fisheries

Annotations

The Working Group will review any incidents and work to minimise the risk to marine mammals from interactions with fishing gears.

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/P01

Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse
Krause, D.J., R.L. Brownell Jr., C.A. Bonin, S.M. Woodman, D. Shaftel and G.M. Watters

3.3 Data collection needs from marine mammal interactions

Annotations

The Working Group will refine design of additional data to be collected by observers and crew when whale interactins with fishing gear occurs (intersessional task 2.1) and reveiw the development of protocols for pinniped sex and length sampling and training materials (intersessional task 2.3).

Documents

SC-CAMLR-42/05	Report of the Krill Fishery Observer Workshop (Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, 19 to 21 July 2023)
SC-CAMLR-42/10	Report of the Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (Kochi, India, 3 to 14 July 2023)
WG-IMAF-2023/08	CCAMLR protocols for pinniped identification, sexing, and length measurement Pardo, E., D. Krause, R. Borras-Chavez and H. McGovern
WG-IMAF-2023/10	Draft data collection form for whale incidental mortality events in the krill trawl fishery Kelly, N., R. Leaper and L. Leach
WG-IMAF-2023/12	Key considerations in addressing seabird and marine mammal bycatch in CCAMLR fisheries Favero, M., N. Walker, I. Debski and R.A. Phillips

3.4 Mitigation methods for marine mammals

Annotations

The Working Group will develop specifications for marine mammal exclusion devices in use in CCAMLR trawl fisheries (intersessional task 4.2)

Documents

WG-FSA-2023/72	Progress on the CCAMLR gear library CCAMLR Secretariat
WG-IMAF-2023/01	Update on Net Monitor Cable and whale mitigation devices on krill vessels Moir Clark, J., B. Viney, K. Mackey, U. Lindstrøm and B. A. Krafft
WG-IMAF-2023/09	Develop efficient and robust Escape-Opening of Seal Exclusion Device for conventional Antarctic krill midwater trawl Ying, Y., H. Huang and X. Zhao

3.5 Advice to the Scientific Committee regarding marine mammals and CCAMLR fisheries

Documents

4 Seabird incidental mortality

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/11	Global political responsibility for the conservation of ACAP Priority Populations of albatrosses and petrels of relevance to CCAMLR Phillips, R.A., P. Catry, M. Dias, S. Oppel, D.J. Anderson, K. Delord, G. Elliott, D. Nicholls, K. Walker, R. Wanless, H. Weimerskirch and M. Beal
WG-IMAF-2023/14	Metapopulation distribution shapes year-round fisheries bycatch risk for a circumpolar seabird Rexer-Huber, K., T.A. Clay, P. Catry, I. Debski, G.C. Parker, R. Ramos, B.C. Robertson, P.G. Ryan, P.M. Sagar, A. Stanworth, D.R. Thompson, G.N. Tuck, H. Weimerskirch and R.A. Phillips
WG-IMAF-2023/17	Preliminary results of the trial on net monitoring cable/warp seabird-strike mitigation measures conducted by the Chinese F/V SHEN LAN during the 2022/23 fishing season Wang, Z., B. Su, G. Fan, H. Huang, Y. Ying, H. Hua and X. Zhao

4.1 Population status of seabird species in the CAMLR convention area

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/06

Update on ACAP activities and advice
ACAP

4.2 Seabird incidental mortality and risk assessments in CCAMLR fisheries

Annotations

The Working Group will consider any power analysis of observer sampling required for warp strikes (intersessional task 5.1), redesign the warp strike observation protocols (intersessional task 5.2), explore approaches to undertake warp strike extrapolations (intersessional task 5.3), and review required levels of observer sampling for seabird incidental mortality with longline fishery (intersessional task 5.4).

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/04	Developing a protocol to assess seabird strikes in the krill fishery Arata, J. and I. Debski
WG-IMAF-2023/12	Key considerations in addressing seabird and marine mammal bycatch in CCAMLR fisheries Favero, M., N. Walker, I. Debski and R.A. Phillips
WG-IMAF-2023/16	Power and precision of warp strike observation rates in the Area 48 krill fishery Maschette, D., S. Wotherspoon, N. Walker, M. Double, P. Ziegler and N. Kelly

4.3 Mitigation methods for seabirds

Annotations

The Working Group will improve the design and develop specifications of ‘sock’ (intersessional task 6.1), review of net monitoring cable trial including consideration of performance of trawl warp/cable strike mitigation approaches utilised by continuous trawl vessels (intersessional task 6.2), and consider requirements for seabird mortality mitigation in conventional trawl vessels (intersessional task 6.3), and review developments in demersal longline mitigation (intersessional task 6.4).

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/01	Update on Net Monitor Cable and whale mitigation devices on krill vessels Moir Clark, J., B. Viney, K. Mackey, U. Lindstrøm and B. A. Krafft
WG-IMAF-2023/07	Review of Mitigation Measures for reducing Seabird interactions with fishing gear in trawl fisheries Arata, J. and I. Debski
WG-IMAF-2023/17	Preliminary results of the trial on net monitoring cable/warp seabird-strike mitigation measures conducted by the Chinese F/V SHEN LAN during the 2022/23 fishing season Wang, Z., B. Su, G. Fan, H. Huang, Y. Ying, H. Hua and X. Zhao
WG-IMAF-2023/18 Rev. 1	Review of seabird bycatch mitigation in CCAMLR demersal longline fisheries Barrington, J., R. Arangio, I. Debski and M. McNeill

4.4 Advice to the Scientific Committee regarding seabirds and CCAMLR fisheries

Documents

5 Observer reports and data collection

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/05	Seabird warp strike observation protocols for trawl fisheries Debski, I.
WG-IMAF-2023/12	Key considerations in addressing seabird and marine mammal bycatch in CCAMLR fisheries Favero, M., N. Walker, I. Debski and R.A. Phillips

6 Marine debris effects on seabirds and marine mammals

Annotations

The Working Group will review information on the effects of marine debris on marine mammals and seabirds in the Convention Area (intersessional task 8.1)

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/P01

Evaluating threats to South Shetland Antarctic fur seals amidst population collapse
Krause, D.J., R.L. Brownell Jr., C.A. Bonin, S.M. Woodman, D. Shaftel and G.M. Watters

7 Light pollution effects on seabirds

Annotations

The Working Group will consider options for the management of light pollution for vessels fishing in the Convention Area (intersessional task 9.1)

Documents

WG-IMAF-2023/13

Light pollution guidelines and their application in CCAMLR fisheries
Barrington, J.

8 Future work

Annotations

The Working Group will consider items of future work and intersessional work including review of high priority items to progress 2023-2027 as in the agreed workplan (SC-CAMLR-41 Table 10).

Documents

WG-FSA-2023/06

CCAMLR fishery data forms and manuals development status
CCAMLR Secretariat

9 Other business

Documents

10 Advice to the Scientific Committee

Annotations

Advice from all agenda items will be consolidated for SC-CAMLR-42

Documents

11 Adoption of the report and close of meeting

Documents

Schedule

WG-IMAF-2023 Schedule (last updated: 9 October 2023, 09:00)

Thursday 5 October

09.00 1. Opening of the meeting

09.30 1. Housekeeping and Adoption of the Agenda

09.45 2. Review of Incidental Mortality in CCAMLR Fisheries

10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break

11.00 2. Review of Incidental Mortality in CCAMLR Fisheries

12.30 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 3. Marine Mammal Incidental Mortality

14.30 3.2. Incidental mortality and risk assessments of marine mammals in CCAMLR fisheries

15.00 3.2. Incidental mortality and risk assessments of marine mammals in CCAMLR fisheries

15.30 – 16.00 Coffee break

16.00 3.3. Data collection needs from marine mammal interactions

16.30 3.4. Mitigation methods for marine mammals

17.00 3.5. Advice to the Scientific Committee regarding marine mammals and CCAMLR fisheries

Friday 6 October

09.00 4.1 Population status of seabird species in the CAMLR convention area

09.30 4. Seabird Incidental Mortality

10.00 4. Seabird Incidental Mortality

10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break

11.00 4.2 Seabird incidental mortality and risk assessments in CCAMLR fisheries

11.30 4.2 Seabird incidental mortality and risk assessments in CCAMLR fisheries

12.00 4.3 Mitigation methods for seabirds

12.30 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 4.3 Mitigation methods for seabirds

14.30 4.4 Advice to the Scientific Committee regarding seabirds and CCAMLR fisheries