Resource support for conducting scientific programs in the Ross Sea region MPA: comments and proposals

Although the Ross Sea Region MPA (RSRMPA) has existed for three years, it is still unclear how research catch limits in the MPA should be allocated. The Scientific Committee's current recommendations on the allocation of allowable catch for surveys in MPAs from the TAC set for the exploratory Olympic fishery outside MPAs in the Ross Sea Region have no scientific justification and do not meet the requirements of CM 91-05. Such a transfer of TAC will have an additional impact on toothfish and the ecosystem in the MPA, and will limit the exploratory longline fishery outside the MPA which is a data source for assessment models of toothfish in the Ross Sea Region. Russia requests that the Scientific Committee identify the sources for establishing the toothfish catch limit for conducting research in the RSRMPA and endorse the source and procedures for allocating allowable catch for research purposes in the MPA in an Appendix to CM 91-05/C. Russia considers the catch limit for any research in the Ross Sea Region MPA should not be deducted from catch limits for exploratory fishing outside the МPA