WG-SAM-12

The Scientific Committee established WG-SAM during CCAMLR-XXV (SC-CAMLR-XXV, paragraph 13.12), with a directed emphasis on developing, refining, and evaluating quantitative approaches for all Antarctic marine living resources managed by CCAMLR. WG-SAM serves as a flexible technical group to address quantitative issues relevant to WG-FSA, WG-EMM, and ad hoc WG-IMAF (SC-CAMLR-XXV, paragraphs 13.4 to 13.8). WG-SAM is to provide advice necessary for the work of these working groups and the Scientific Committee.

Working papers submitted to WG-SAM, along with presentations and analyses conducted during the meeting, will form the basis for discussion and advice.

The terms of reference for the Working Group on Statistics, Assessments and Modelling (WG-SAM) are:

To provide advice to the Scientific Committee and its working groups on:

(i) quantitative assessment methods, statistical procedures, and modelling approaches for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources; and

(ii) the implementation and data requirements of such methods, procedures and approaches.

Welcome to participants and overview of facilities, Secretariat’s offices, computer support, Internet access and extracurricular activities.

Amendments to and adoption of the meeting agenda, assignment of working papers to agenda items, appointment of rapporteurs and procedures for the production of the report and establishment of ad hoc subgroups if necessary.

Previously, agendas have been structured generally to account for the areas of work most likely to engage WG-SAM. However, in 2012, WG-SAM has been tasked to focus its discussion primarily on a review of the CCAMLR tagging programme for Dissostichus spp.  (SC-CAMLR-XXX, paragraphs 15.3 and 15.4).

In its discussions last year on new and exploratory toothfish fisheries, the Scientific Committee considered that it was timely to carry out a review of the CCAMLR tagging program (SC-CAMLR-XXX, paragraph 15.4). It recommended that some specific elements of the program be considered as a high priority focus topic for WG-SAM which could include:

• alternative tagging technologies,
• experiments to examine tag mortality and tag detectability,
• review of tagging protocols,
• development and provision of a training module for vessel operators,
• tag-based stock assessment issues,
• programme performance metrics
• data grooming
• factors affecting recapture rates

Members are invited to submit papers relevant to these items as well as other aspects relevant to the tagging program. Discussion will begin on the first day and contribute to advice provided to WG-FSA and the Scientific Committee. It might be useful to discuss the program under three broad headings:

1. Design of program
2. Implementation of program
3. Analysis of results from tagging program

A requirement to submit research plans in notifications for exploratory fisheries in areas other than Subareas 88.1 and 88.2 was adopted by the Commission at its 2011 meeting (CCAMLR, 2011). WG-SAM will review these research plans to determine whether they meet the requirements for CCAMLR sponsored research as laid out in SC-CAMLR-XXX, Annex 5, paragraphs 2.25 and 2.26. The review will use the format provided in Table 5 of SC-CAMLR-XXX. 

Scientific research carried out during the 2011/12 season will be reviewed and proposals for further research on toothfish stocks in these areas evaluated. WG-SAM will review any new research proposals to determine whether they meet the requirements for CCAMLR sponsored research using the format provided in Table 5 of SC-CAMLR-XXX.  In addition, WG-SAM will review data requirements from such surveys including reviewing the existing C4 form and associated worksheets.

Methods for assessing stock status and yield have been agreed and are in use for Dissostichus spp., Champsocephalus gunnari and Euphausia superba for the main areas in which these species are fished. Proposals to modify these methods or to consider alternative methods will be reviewed under this item.

Members are invited to identify issues for consideration under other business.

WG-SAM provides advice to each of the working groups and to the Scientific Committee on statistics, assessments and modelling. Specific advice that has been requested will be summarised in this agenda item following general discussion in other agenda items. Advice will also be given to the Scientific Committee on the priorities apparent during the meeting for the development and refinement of quantitative methods.

As is usual practice in meetings of the Scientific Committee and its working groups, rapporteurs will draft sections of the report according to general guidelines for its production. The Secretariat is responsible for formatting, editing and circulation of the report. Any proposed changes to the report prior to report adoption need to be arranged through the rapporteurs, who will then provide the appropriate changes to the Secretariat. Adoption of the report will be conducted interactively using a video projector and support from the Secretariat.

Discussion will conclude at the end of the day on Wednesday, allowing for Thursday and Friday morning for report preparation and reading. Report adoption will be on Friday afternoon.