Working group papers WG-EMM-2022/15 and WG-FSA-2022/02 were presented at last year's EMM and FSA meetings. The papers gave detailed information regarding the discovery of a nest area for notothenioid icefish (Neopagetopsis ionah, Nybelin 1947) of an unprecedented extent that had been observed in the southern Weddell Sea during RV Polarstern expedition PS124 from February to March 2021.
Based on the discussions and recommendation of WG-EMM and WG-FSA, SC-CAMLR-41/BG/39 Rev. 1 proposed modifications in CM 22-06 for including fish nest areas following the advice of WG-EMM-2022 and WG-FSA-2022.
As no consensus could be reached on this proposal at the 41st meeting of the Commission, we would like to make suggestions here on the open issues raised at this meeting, such as to:
- define the term "fish nest area",
- identify relevant indicators, and
- refine the review process for opening and closing fish nest areas to bottom fishing activities.