WG-FSA-12

The 2012 meeting of WG-FSA will be convened by Dr M. Belchier (UK), and will consider, inter alia, the development of assessments in data-poor fisheries, depleted and recovering stocks, by-catch, biology and ecology, CCAMLR’s Scheme of international scientific observation and VMEs (SC-CAMLR-XXX, Table 6). The meeting will also include a one-day workshop on ageing of otoliths from Dissostichus eleginoides and Dissostichus mawsoni (SC-CAMLR-XXX, paragraph 3.139). The Secretariat will outline local arrangements for the meeting.



The agenda of the meeting will be discussed and adopted, and the provisional agenda herein covers items to be considered by WG-FSA in plenary sessions.

WG-FSA will undertake assessments for specific stocks and areas (Table 1) and provide the Scientific Committee with advice on precautionary catch limits and other issues relevant to the management of CCAMLR’s fishery resources. CCAMLR’s regulatory framework for fisheries recognises five types of fisheries: new, exploratory, established, closed and lapsed. Review and advice is provided annually in most fisheries, and biennially in the fisheries for Dissostichus eleginoides in Subarea 48.3 and Division 58.5.2 and Dissostichus spp. in Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 (SC-CAMLR-XXVI, paragraph 14.6).

WG-FSA will break into subgroups to undertake the majority of its work during the meeting. Progress reports from subgroups will be provided in plenary sessions, with opportunity for additional discussion and consideration. It is anticipated that any assessment will be completed and reviewed by the end of the first week of the meeting, and results will be used to provide advice on precautionary catch limits.



Subgroup conveners will be responsible for developing text for the WG-FSA report. Aspects of subgroup work relevant to a specific fishery will be contributed to the appropriate Fishery Report with key issues reflected in the WG-FSA report.



Subgroups and subgroup activities will provisionally consist of the following:

• Subgroup on Assessments - review preliminary assessments and further develop stock assessments and estimation of precautionary catch limits of target species (agenda item 4).
• Subgroup on research to inform current or future assessments - review information from  exploratory fisheries from the past season, and review and evaluate submitted research plans for exploratory fisheries, closed fisheries and fisheries with zero catch limits, and research fishing from longline vessels (agenda item 5.3).
• Subgroup on VMEs - review new information on potential encounters with VMEs notified under CM 22-07 and the preliminary assessments of the potential for proposed bottom fishing activities to have significant adverse impacts on VMEs (CM 22-06), and update the Report on Bottom Fisheries and VMEs (agenda item 6).
• Subgroup on the scientific observer program - review and further develop the observer sampling protocols, the CCAMLR Scientific Observers Manual and priorities for scientific observers  including recommendations relating to tagging arising from discussion at WG-SAM (agenda item 7).
• Subgroup on non-target catch in CCAMLR Fisheries – review catches of fish and non-VME invertebrates taken as by-catch, as well as incidental catches of seabirds and marine mammals in longline and trawl fisheries (agenda item 8)
• Subgroup on biology, ecology and fish-based ecosystems – review ecological and ecosystem considerations relevant to the management of CCAMLR fisheries. (agenda item 9)
• Subgroup on fish ageing -  hold a 1-day workshop to consider  techniques and procedures for ageing of otoliths from D. eleginoides and D. mawsoni (agenda item 10).

Table 1: CCAMLR fisheries and schedule of advice for consideration by WG-FSA

 

WG-FSA will review data submitted to the CCAMLR Data Centre from commercial fisheries and fishery-based research in 2011/12 including information relevant to stock assessments. This will also include the development of maps showing the deployment of research hauls in data-poor fisheries (WG-SAM-12, paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4). The Working Group will consider, inter alia:

• Catch and effort data
• Estimates of IUU fishing
• Catches of D. eleginoides in waters adjacent to the Convention Area
• Scientific observer information
• Incidental mortality arising from fishing
• Depredation.

WG-FSA will review inputs to stock assessments, particularly those that have changed since the last assessments, and submitted papers that summarise preliminary stock assessments. Authors of preliminary stock assessments should prepare brief presentations (5–10 minutes) which summarize the methodologies, model assumptions, fits and diagnostics, projections, and estimates of precautionary yield.



WG-FSA will evaluate the information available and the preliminary assessments and determine which stocks will be assessed.

Assessments and management advice will be developed for those fisheries identified in Agenda Item 4.1. The assessment and appropriate sections of the Fishery Reports will be reviewed. Guidelines for the review process were set out in WG-FSA-06/6 (paragraphs 6.1 to 6.3). In cases where no new assessments will be undertaken, fishery reports will be updated with current information. Subject to Working Group discussions, management advice may be updated, revised or carried forward.

For each established fishery (Table 1), the Fishery Report will be updated with current information, and may include the assessment method used, the input data, results of the assessments and WG-FSA’s advice to the Scientific Committee. Copies of last year’s Fishery Reports, with initial updates and edits will be available from the Secretariat prior to the meeting.

 

The Secretariat will summarise available information from the exploratory fisheries carried out in 2011/12 (no new fishery was notified for that season) and WG-FSA will review this information.

The Secretariat will summarise information contained in Members’ notifications for proposed exploratory fisheries in 2012/13 (no new fishery has been notified for next season). WG-FSA will evaluate these notifications and formulate management advice for consideration by the Scientific Committee. The research plans in these notifications will be considered in Agenda Item 5.3.

WG-FSA will review research plans for data-poor exploratory fisheries in Subareas 48.6 and 58.4, including consideration of advice provided by WG-SAM (WG-SAM-12, paragraphs 3.8 to 3.29). Research plans in data-poor fisheries (CM 21-02, paragraph 6iii) should take into consideration the Scientific Committee’s advice relative to the research framework for data-poor fisheries (SC-CCAMLR-XXX paragraphs 3.122 to 3.138) and be consistent with advice and guidelines developed during the focus topic at WG-SAM-11. In addition, WG-SAM recommended that WG-SAM-12/33 (A characterisation of the toothfish fishery in Subarea 48.6 from 2003/04 to 2011/12) be submitted to WG-FSA for further consideration (WG-SAM-12, paragraph 5.4).



WG-FSA will also review research proposals for closed fisheries or fisheries with zero catch limits, including consideration of advice provided by WG-SAM (WG-SAM-12, paragraphs 4.4 to 4.17).



WG-FSA will also review research in fisheries with assessments, including consideration of advice provided by WG-SAM (WG-SAM-12, paragraph 4.23).

 

To be advised

For each exploratory fishery (Table 1), the Fishery Report will be updated with current information, including additional management advice, such as precautionary catch limits, and management of those catch limits.

 

Assessments will only be considered for fisheries and stocks for which new data have been submitted, or the Scientific Committee has requested an assessment, or fishery proposals have been submitted for a specific stock. WG-FSA may also give consideration to fisheries and stocks at the Antarctic Peninsula (Subarea 48.1) and South Orkney Islands (Subarea 48.2).

WG-FSA will consider any new information on direct and indirect interactions between bottom fisheries and VMEs including, inter alia, the following sub-items.

 

WG-FSA will review potential encounters with VMEs notified under CM 22-07 and VME risk areas declared  in 2011/12. The Working Group will also consider information on additional mitigation measures to reduce risk of significant adverse impacts on VMEs, and advice that resulted from the deliberations of WG-EMM-12.

WG-FSA will review the preliminary assessments of the potential for proposed bottom fishing activities to have significant adverse impacts on VMEs (CM 22-06) submitted in association with notifications for exploratory bottom fisheries in 2012/13. The Working Group may also review and develop the information available in the gear library (WG-SAM-12, paragraph 4.18).

WG-FSA will review and update the Report on Bottom Fisheries and VMEs.

 

WG-FSA will review scientific observer information, consider observer requirements and refine sampling protocols (if needed) for scientific observation on board fishing vessels (including during research fishing) in the Convention Area.

WG-FSA will review available information on catches and potential mitigation measures related to fish and non-VME invertebrates taken as by-catch in longline and trawl fisheries (including the krill fishery). The Working Group will also review incidental catches and mortality of marine mammals and seabirds in trawl and longline fisheries.

WG-FSA will review fish-based ecological and ecosystem information relevant to the management of CCAMLR fisheries. WG-FSA may also review WG-EMM’s consideration of fish-based ecosystem interactions (WG-EMM-12, paragraphs 4.10 and 4.11).





WG-SAM has encouraged further work on the identification of killer whales observed depredating lines in the Indian Ocean, and the submission of results for consideration by WG-FSA and WG-EMM (WG-SAM-12, paragraph 4.13).



WG-EMM has indicated that the work of its Subgroup on Status and Trend Assessment of Predator Populations (STAPP) in understanding the interactions between air-breathing predators and krill might be extended to include the role of fish as krill predators, and that WG-FSA may wish to review this issue (WG-EMM-12, paragraph 2.154).

 

A one-day workshop on ageing of otoliths from D. eleginoides and D. mawsoni will be hosted by the Australian Antartic Division during the meeting. WG-FSA will review the workshop’s outcomes and recommendations.



WG-SAM recommended that WG-SAM-12/18 (Method of age determination for Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni)) be submitted to WG-FSA for further consideration (WG-SAM-12, paragraph 5.4).

WG-FSA will review its multi-year work plan (SC-CCAMLR-XXX, Table 6) and develop further advice as needed. The Working Group may also consider the format of future meetings in light of further discussion at WG-EMM (WG-EMM-12, paragraphs 7.10 and 7.11).



Members who wish to notify of upcoming research in the CCAMLR area, particularly those research efforts to be conducted under Conservation Measure 24-01, should do so here. These notifications will be passed to the Scientific Committee for consideration.

WG-FSA may wish to consider and provide advice on matters which are not included elsewhere in the agenda, including reports from other meetings and research activities.

WG-FSA will collate, summarise and organise advice, items of interest and concern, requests for information and guidance, that were agreed at the meeting.

As at past meetings of WG-FSA, rapporteurs nominated at the start of the meeting will draft sections of the report. These sections will first be reviewed by the Convener and parties with strong interest in the topic, and then submitted to the Secretariat for formatting, editing and circulation for reading and mark-up by participants. Proposed changes to the draft report must be made in consultation with the rapporteurs, who will inform the Convener and then provide the appropriate changes to the Secretariat. The report will be interactively adopted in plenary during the final stage of the meeting.