Research plan for the exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus spp. in 2012/13 in Division 58.4.3a (this is a revision of WG-SAM-12/14)

In 2011/2012, a French vessel conducted its first exploratory fishing campaign in division 58.4.3a. In order to achieve a robust stock assessment that would provide advice on catch limits according to CCAMLR decision rules, it is suggested to continue the research program for the next three years. This paper is a revised proposal of WG-SAM-12/14 encouraged by 2012 SAM working group for a resubmission. The present research plan proposes to continue the mark-recapture experiment and to collect detailed catch, effort and biological data with a nearly same survey design as in the 2012. It will include a total of 28 research hauls. The objective of the experiment is to better understand the distribution of the metapopulation of toothfish centered on the Kerguelen-Heard-Crozet sector.