Preliminary Assessment of Mackerel Icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in Subarea 48.3 based on the 2023 Groundfish Survey

The CCAMLR Statistical Subarea 48.3 icefish assessment was conducted by applying the standard projection methodology that has been agreed for this stock by CCAMLR Scientific Committee and its Working Groups. The stratified bootstrap of UK 2023 demersal fish survey icefish catch density and catch rate data indicate a precautionary biomass estimate of 75,170 tonnes (lower one-sided 5^th percentile: 47,395 tonnes) within Subarea 48.3. Projections for the 2024 and 2025 seasons applying the CCAMLR Decision Rule imply catch limits (TAC) of 5,138 tonnes for 2024 and 3,579 tonnes for 2025.

The assessment would lead to a recommendation from Working Group FSA to Scientific Committee that the catch limit for C. gunnari in Subarea 48.3 should be set at 5,138 tonnes for 2023/24 and 3,579 tonnes for 2024/25.