Program Leader's Progress Report for Antarctic Marine Living Resources to the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee for the 2000-01 Antarctic Season

Steve Nicol appointed to Scientific Steering Group of GLOBEC (Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics) and continues on Steering Group of Southern Ocean GLOBEC (SO-GLOBEC). Attended meeting of GLOBEC Focus 2 (process studies) Working Group in Roscoff, France in September 2000.

Fine-scale krill survey off Mawson was Australia's contribution to SO-GLOBEC but was curtailed when the 'Aurora' was diverted (see below).

Nick Gales and Deb Thiele participated in US SO-GLOBEC winter cruises (July/August 2001).

Colin Southwell continues to play a leading role in the analysis of the SCAR pack ice seals program (APIS) and attended the SCAR Biology Symposium in Amsterdam in August 2001.

Paper presented to CCAMLR Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management on subdividing Statistical Division 58.4.1 using environmental data collected on BROKE  voyage.  CCAMLR adopts new Conservation measure splitting the catch limit in 58.4.1 using BROKE  results.

Paper presented to the 2001 meeting of the CCAMLR Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management on the definition of smaller management areas.  Approach outlined in the paper was adopted and will be the subject of a workshop at the 2001 meeting of WG-EMM.

Paper on the subdivision of  large CCAMLR statistical areas presented to the CCAMLR Scientific Committee in 2001.  The approach suggested was endorsed and Dr Constable is to convene a correspondence subgroup to further this approach.

Several approaches to fish bycatch species have been proposed by Australia and adopted within CCAMLR's Fish Sock Assessment Working Group and within the Scientific Committee which have subsequently been adopted as management measures.  These include Conservation Measures on bycatch in the HIMI area in 2000 and 2001 and a Conservation Measure setting a catch limit on Macrourus species treating it as a new fishery rather than as a bycatch species.

Australia has developed a Threat Abatement Plan  which serves to implement the FAO Plan of Action.

Graham Robertson was an invited participant at the Final Negotiating Session for an Albatross and Petrel Agreement under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in Cape Town, February 2001.

Results of BROKE survey appear in a 13 paper volume of Deep-Sea Research and as a summary paper in Nature in 2000.

Presentation of new dietary analysis methodology to the IWC as background paper by Nick Gales and Simon Jarman in 2001.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities.

Publication of results from previous years' research (see publication list)

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

None

Goal 2 - To Protect the Antarctic Environment

Antarctic Marine Living Resources:  The scientific goals of the AMLR program are specifically designed to provide information for management so that the Antarctic environment is protected from one of its greatest preventable threats - the over-harvesting of marine living resources.  Because so much of the scientific and management framework already exists within CCAMLR, the research proposed under this Goal is directed towards certain well-described and specified aims.  The overall approach is to develop management procedures incorporating resource assessments, ecosystem dynamics, ecosystem monitoring, and resource management policy into a decision-making framework.

Key Scientific Outputs

Management procedures and resource assessments for AMLR to ensure fisheries in the CCAMLR area are ecologically sustainable and avoid localised over-harvesting of resources.

Assessment Milestones

• Management procedure for Toothfish fishery at the Territory of heard Island and McDonald Island (HIMI). (2002)
• Management procedure for Icefish fishery at HIMI. (2002)
• Assessment of smaller management areas for the krill fishery based on Australian survey data (2000).
• Conduct survey of krill and associated biological oceanography in Division 58.4.2 (2004)
• Conduct survey of krill and associated biological oceanography in Division 88.1 (2003)
• Identify stock structure of krill populations (2000-2001).
• Identify stock structure of commercial fish populations (2003-2004)
• Assess the ecological importance of squid in the S. Indian Ocean sector and their commercial potential (2001).
• Assessment of commercial potential of species in the AAT, HIMI, Macquarie Island and the South Indian Ocean (2002).
• Techniques, operational procedures and mitigating measures that will reduce by-catch in fisheries and minimise the effect of fisheries on the benthos

Assessment Milestones

• Information on how equipment could be developed with the cooperation of gear manufacturers that will increase the intrinsic sink rates of long-lines (2000).
• Evaluation of the effect of a line shooter on long-line sink rates, seabird strike and fishing efficiency (2000/2001)
• Determine the factors that affect 'availability' of baits to seabirds (2001-2002).
• Determine the gear-related and operational procedures that affect the sink rates of long-lines (2001-2002)
• Assessment of the effects of benthic trawling at HIMI (2003-2004).
• Research and modelling relevant to ecologically sustainable harvesting in the context of environmental and ecological change.

Assessment Milestones

• Develop HIMI ecosystem model  (2000).
• Develop Antarctic ecosystem model (2000-2002).
• Field-based determination of key ecosystem linkages at HIMI (2003-2004).
• Publish results of pack ice seals survey (2000-2001).
• Experimental determination of the effect of UV-B on krill (2000).
• Publish improved methodologies for measuring growth, 'condition' and ageing in krill (2000-2002).
• Complete lifetime growth model for krill (2002).
• A long-term ecosystem monitoring program, centred on the krill-based ecosystem, that will allow assessment of inter-annual variability in krill, key dependent species and the environment.
• Annual submission to CCAMLR of the results of the Mawson CCAMLR Ecosystem Management Programme (CEMP) (2000-2005).

Assessment Milestones

• Assessment of the results of initial 5 year CEMP (2001).
• Conduct fine-scale survey of krill off Mawson coast to develop sampling methodologies and examine krill dynamics (2003-2004).
• Design a program to monitor the dynamics of the krill-based ecosystem offshore from the AAT incorporating elements of the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program and incorporating sampling methodologies developed in 2000/2001 (2002).
• Establish the krill-based ecosystem-monitoring program offshore from the AAT that will assist with discriminating between inter-annual variability and long-term trends (2003).
• Characterise foraging behaviour and movements of individual baleen whales in relation to prey abundance and physical environment (2000-2001).
• Monitor interannual variability in whale distribution and abundance in relation to prey characteristics and relate distribution, abundance and biomass of baleen whales to krill characteristics (Ongoing).

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

Subdivision of precautionary catch limit in 58.4.1 (see above)

Graduation of PhD student (Simon Jarman) whose research focussed on molecular genetics of krill. 7 papers have resulted from this research. Overall conclusion is that the techniques for investigating stock structure in krill are now developed but much more intensive sampling is required to discriminate between areas than has been attempted in the past.  These conclusions were presented to CCAMLR in 2001.  Another student is being sought to continue this work, in collaboration with international partners.

Two papers published on subantarctic squid (one dated 2001) and their significance as prey and predators. Paper on squid from BROKE voyage has been submitted.

One paper and three posters produced.  Discussions with gear manufacturers and fleet operators proceeded in Norway, Chile and the Bering Sea.  Participation by Graham Robertson in UN sponsored initiative on seabird bycatch.

Completion of literature search to establish ecosystem linkages.  Preliminary model framework established.  Presentation of considerable dataset on Heard Island to EA as part of the report: Conservation of Marine Habitats in the Region of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands

One paper submitted, participation in APIS (SCAR Antarctic Pack Ice Seals Program) planning (Southwell), plans for international collaboration in statistical analysis of the Antarctic-wide dataset are now well advanced.

Graduation of PhD student (Stuart Newman) whose thesis focussed on the effects of UV-B on krill. Four papers have resulted from this research and indicate that krill are susceptible to damage by UV-B radiation but may have developed behavioural adaptations which could minimise these effects.

Graduation of PhD student (Hyoung-Chul Shin) whose research focussed on growth and condition in krill.  Four manuscripts have been accepted for publication. A summary paper suggesting simple standard methods for assessing krill condition is being prepared in collaboration with US colleagues.

Papers in preparation on the demographics of Adelie penguins form the CEMP (CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Progam) site. 

Appointment of Colin Southwell to take over CEMP Program on the retirement of Knowles Kerry (2003). 

Appointment of quantitative ecological Research Scientist (Louise Emerson) to analyze CEMP database. Results of initial analyses to be presented to CCAMLR in August 2002 in preparation for a full review of the CEMP in 2003. S. Nicol appointed to a CCAMLR correspondence group on the utility of the CEMP.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities.

Publication of results from previous years' research (see publication list)

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

This voyage was not completed because the 'Aurora Australis' was diverted to break the 'Polar Bird' free from pack ice off Casey.  Some of the preliminary research was begun and some useful data were collected which will make the conduct of the re-scheduled voyage in 2002/03 more focussed. The curtailment of this research voyage was a major blow to the Program and has set back plans to conduct further long-term work off the Mawson coast by at least 2 years.  Although some cetacean research was possible on the shortened voyage the achievement of these milestones has been put back by the cancellation of the detailed biological and physical survey work.

Goal 4 - To Undertake Work of Practical, Economic and National Significance.

Antarctic Marine Living Resources:  Management to ensure sustainable harvesting of the region's resources is a goal which is of practical significance which will also ensure the best opportunity for national economic gain from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.  National scientific priorities for environmental research include ecologically sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, implementation of the Ocean's Policy and the implementation and management of the National System of Representative Marine Protected Areas.  The AMLR Program can contribute internationally recognised expertise and practical developmental ability to all of these priority areas.

Key Scientific Outputs

Development of new and innovative sampling and management approaches that enable an ecosystem approach to the sustainable harvesting of living resources, which have wider national applications

Assessment Milestones

Practical advice to industry, national agencies and Government on marine living resources

Assessment Milestones

Advice provided (Ongoing)

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

The milestone under this heading relate to the background development work that is proceeding at the Australian Antarctic Division and to the input provided to various national agencies (eg AFMA, AFFA, EA). Major research achievements are highlighted under 'Protecting the Antarctic Environment' .

Development of 'Fish Heaven' assessment software by Ian Ball.  Introduced to CCAMLR in 2000 (see publications)

See developments under other areas and in publications.

See developments under other areas and in publications.

Acoustic research was to have focussed on the fieldwork being conducted off the Mawson coast.  Unfortunately these activities were curtailed and thus the acoustics section has concentrated on writing up earlier research which will appear in 2001/02.  New arrangements are being developed to provide acoustics research and support following Tim Pauly's move to Sonardata.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities

Publication of results from previous years' research (see publication list)

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

Conduct fine-scale survey of krill off Mawson coast to develop sampling methodologies and examine krill dynamics

General Comment

The comments under each of the assessment milestones have been presented in brief form.

Research Output for AMLR Program published in 2000

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Last Updated: 12/18/2001Top