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Comprehensive Management Plan for Mackerel Icefish Fishery in Subarea 48.3

The mackerel icefish fishery in Subarea 48.3 of the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is subject to a comprehensive management plan, designed to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conserve marine resources.

Catch Limits

  • The Government has set a quota of 3,200 tonnes for the 2019/20 season and 2,100 tonnes for the 2020/21 season.
  • These quotas are in line with the biomass survey index reference limit set by CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources).

Management of By-Catch

The management plan includes measures to control by-catch:

  • The by-catch of Patagonotothen guntheri will be limited to 100 tonnes in the area west of 40°W (Shag Rocks).
  • Once this limit is reached in any season, the area west of 40°W will be closed to the icefish fishery.

Science and Monitoring

The management plan emphasizes the importance of scientific research and monitoring:

  • The King Edward Point science programme (British Antarctic Survey - BAS) conducts research on mackerel icefish diet, bird by-catch specimens, and provides scientific support for observers and vessel data collection.
  • The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) carries out annual icefish stock assessments, provides licensing advice, and conducts other population-level science.

Research Priorities

The plan outlines key research priorities:

  • Collaboration with the industry: working together to identify concentrations of mackerel icefish, optimize fishing efficiency, and increase quota uptake.
  • Target species research: identifying concentrations of mackerel icefish through acoustic data collection.
  • Gear trials: testing different net designs to improve catch efficiency and minimize bird by-catch.

Observer Programme

The observer programme is managed by a consortium of MRAG and CapFish:

  • 100% observer coverage on icefish vessels.
  • Diet sampling: collecting stomach samples for analysis by BAS scientists.
  • Improved whale photographic ID gathering.
  • Additional monitoring of seabird presence.