Exploratory fishing for Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in East Antarctica (Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2) began in 2003. While preliminary integrated stock assessments have been developed for these Divisions, robust estimates of stock biomass and precautionary catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined. Precautionary management arrangements are in place as set out in Conservation Measures 41-11 and 41-05.
WG-SAM-2023/03, WG-SAM-2021/03, SC-CAMLR-39/BG/10, WG-FSA-19/44, WG-FSA-18/59 and WG-FSA-16/29 outlined the multi-member toothfish exploratory fishery research plan for these Divisions, including the research objectives, methods, and milestones in accordance with CM 24-01, Annex 24-01/A Format 2.
In this paper we report on (1) exploratory fishing activities undertaken by Australia, France, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Spain between the 2011/12 and 2023/24 fishing seasons (fishing seasons are hereafter abbreviated to the end year), as per Milestone 1.3 and (2) ageing of collected toothfish otoliths as per Milestone 1.4.
The summaries provided herein were generated using an R-Markdown document that is available to members to facilitate standardised reporting on data collection in CCAMLR’s Exploratory Fisheries.