Progress report on the Korean exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus spp. in Division 58.4.1 in 2015/16

The research fishing was conducted in Division 58.4.1 from 9 January 2016 to 21 March 2016 in 2015/16 fishing season. One additional national observer was on board to perform various scientific researches. The total catch of D. mawsoni was 227,220 kg with 6,642 individuals. The CPUE of D. mawsoni recorded 0.31 kg/hook. 1,138 individuals of D. mawsoni and 5 individuals of D. eleginoides were tagged and released and additionally satellite archival tags were attached to 5 individuals of D. mawsoni. In Division 58.4.1, tagging rate and tag overlap statistics of D. mawsoni were 5.0 and 82 %, respectively. Five individuals of tagged D. mawsoni were recaptured, and a satellite archival tag was also collected from one of the individuals released during 2014/15 fishing season. The research vessel, Kingstar has encountered unknown vessels and fishing gears during research fishing in SSRU C and E of the Division 58.4.1 and reported the information to the Secretariat. To get biological information of species, otolith, stomach contents, gonad, muscle, liver and gill were collected from each individual of D. mawsoni. Total 20 times of plankton sampling were conducted in the area of Division 58.4.1. A Compact CTD (Micro CAT, SBE37SMP) planned to be used in Division 58.4.1 could not operate due to technical issues with the CTD connector. A thermometer of vessel was used for measuring the surface temperature, while observing sea ice.