The composition, abundance and reproductive characteristics of the demersal fish fauna in the Elephant Island–South Shetland Islands region and at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula (CCAMLR Subarea 48.1) in March–early April 2012

A bottom trawl survey for demersal finfish was undertaken by Germany aboard R/V ‘Polarstern’ around Elephant Island, the South Shetland Islands and at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from 17 March to 5 April 2012. In this paper we provide information on species composition, biomass, and size composition of the abundant fish species encountered during the survey. Catches in the Elephant Island – South Shetland Islands suggest that biomass of N. rossii and C. gunnari have increased since the last survey in 2006/07.