On acceptable scattering of longlines geo-referencing in the toothfish fishery in the CAMLR Convention Area

The issues of longlines geo-referencing during the exploratory fisheries of the toothfish in the Convention Area are discussed. Cases of differences in the coordinates of settings and haulings are considered. The estimation of the maximum possible variation of the coordinates in the depths range of 550-3000 m was performed. It is shown that the differences of coordinates of settings and haulings increases in the areas with large depths and high velocities of sea currents in the high seas. The data indicate the necessity of revising the radius of risk areas around points of potential VMEs, taking into account scattering of longlines geo-referencing.