A review of life-history parameter estimates for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in the vicinity of Heard Island and McDonald Islands in Division 58.5.2

Knowing the life history parameters of a species is essential to projecting productivity and effective management of a fished species. Here, we investigate changes in estimates of several life history parameters for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) between 1997-2024 around Heard Island and McDonald Islands in Division 58.5.2. All explored life history parameters showed some level of variability throughout the investigated time series. Estimated length at 50% maturity showed an increase in size for both males and females, and estimated length at age increased over the years. Further work is required to explore which, if any, environmental variables are linked to these changes, or if they are a result of the highly dynamic nature and large changes in interannual population size of this species.