The time series of relative abundance and age structure from the Ross Sea shelf survey provides information about year class strength, variability, and autocorrelation, and hence is an important input into the Ross Sea stock assessment. The objectives of the survey were to (i) continue monitoring trends in Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) recruitment in the southern Ross Sea (core strata A–C); (ii) continue monitoring trends in abundance of larger (large sub-adult and adult) toothfish and biological characteristics in two areas of importance to predators: McMurdo Sound and Terra Nova Bay in alternate years; and (iii) collect and analyse a wide range of data and samples from these areas (e.g., demersal fish, benthic invertebrates, stomach and tissue samples, acoustic data), which will contribute to the Research and Monitoring Plan for the Ross Sea region MPA.
The 2023 survey was completed as planned. The estimated relative biomass index of toothfish in 2023 was one of the lowest of the series. Biological data and samples were collected from 1662 toothfish; samples and measurements were also collected on bycatch species. A total of 155 toothfish were tagged and released with an 92 % tagging length overlap statistic; no tagged fish were recaptured. The catch limit of 99 t was not exceeded, as catches in all strata were lower than the previous years.