Results of the Spanish exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus spp.

We addressed the revisions requested by the WG-SAM-14 regarding the results of the second year of Spanish research experience and ongoing research plan presented in WG-SAM- 14/12 and WG-SAM-14/09. A summary of the results of the Spanish research that took place in the 58.4.1 division during the last two fishing seasons is presented. A prospective estimation of the local biomass (BLOC) of three SSRUs visited using the local depletion method, together with the extrapolation to the total Biomass in the entire SSRUs, as well as an estimation of the Biomass in SSRU 58.4.1H using the mark-recapture Petersen model is made

Continuation in the 2015/16 season of the research plan initiated in 2012/13 for stocks of Dissostichus spp. in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2

In the 2012/13 fishing season Spain began implementing a multi-annual Research Plan for Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 in order to estimate local biomass of Dissostichus spp. by means of two methods: depletion and tagging. In 2014/15 the vessel was unable to conduct the proposed research experience due to problems with a blade of the propeller, During the season 2015/16 is intended to make the same proposed research with some minor changes, always subject to the ice conditions, fulfilling Spain's commitment to return to the same fishing areas in order to study inter-annual variability and maximize tag recovery, as well as, to progress research in these SSRUs (58.4.1H, G, D and C). Two research surveys have been already implemented in Division 58.4.1 and preliminary estimates of local biomass using Leslie depletion analyses have been obtained. Some recoveries of tagged toothfish have been made, both within-season and between-seasons recaptures and a preliminary Age-Length Key of Dissostichus mawsoni has been built after otholits reading from 58.4.1 division specimens. All these data will allow a robust stock assessment attempt by the end of this multiyear research survey

Update of ongoing work on age and growth of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) (2013-14 season) from Division 58.4.1 by Spain

Preliminary Age-length key by reading otoliths of antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni)We present preliminary results on age and growth of Dissostichus mawsoni for the second season (2013/14) of the Spanish research fishing in the 58.4.1 Division obtained for growth rings on otolith readings. It is included the age-length key and growth parameters estimates by sex. Growth parameters obtained using length-age pair values are: L∞: 175.7, k: 0.1078 and t0: 1.528 for females; L∞: 150.3, k: 0.1491 and t0: 1.809 for males; and L∞: 169.8, k: 0.1087 and t0: 1.168 all combined. These results are very similar to those reported previously for the first season (2012/13) although they differ slightly with the values used in the Ross sea assessment for males

The Spanish albacore (Thunnus alalunga) surface fishery in the northeastern Atlantic in 2005

The main features of the Spanish albacore (Thunnus alalunga) surface fishery operating during summer and autumn months of 2005 in the northeast Atlantic and Bay of Biscay waters north of 40ºN parallel are presented in this document. The baitboat fleet increased its yield 30%; likewise the troll fleet showed an increased catch of 36% respectively to the 2004 yield. Both fleets increased their nominal fishing effort about 16% in 2005. The size composition of the catches in 2005 obtained by both fleets showed a high proportion of age 2 derived by both methods used to age catches: length slicing and age-length keys, which is in agreement with the high proportion of age 1 present in 2004. However, in the case of age 3, the observed proportion of the catch at age differs contingent on either method applied to age the catch in the case of the troll fleet.Este documento presenta un resumen sobre la actividad pesquera de las flotas de superficie españolas: cebo vivo y cacea dirigidas a la pesca de atún blanco (Thunnus alalunga) que desarrollaron su actividad en los meses de verano y otoño de 2005 en aguas del Atlántico nordeste y golfo de Vizcaya al norte del paralelo 40 º N. La evolución de las capturas y esfuerzo realizado por los barcos de cebo vivo y cacea, mostró un aumento del 30% y 36% respectivamente frente a las capturas del año 2004. El esfuerzo nominal en días de pesca aumentó prácticamente un 16% en ambas flotas. En 2005, la composición de tallas de la captura, mostró un nivel elevado de capturas de edad 2 obtenido con los dos métodos empleados: corte de tallas determinista (“filo de cuchillo”) y claves talla edad, que corresponde a un nivel elevado de capturas de edad 1 observado en el año 2004 en ambas flotas. Sin embargo la proporción de capturas de edad 3 observada difiere dependiendo del método empleado en la obtención de la composición de edades de las capturas de la flota de cacea.Ce document présente un résumé sur les activités de pêche des flottilles de surface espagnoles (canne et ligne traînante) ayant ciblé le germon (Thunnus alalunga) pendant les mois d’été et d’automne de 2005 dans les eaux de l’Atlantique Nord-Est et du Golfe de Gascogne, au nord du parallèle 40ºN. L’évolution des prises et de l’effort déployé par les canneurs et les ligneurs a présenté un accroissement de 30% et 36%, respectivement, par rapport aux prises de 2004. L’effort nominal en jours de pêche a pratiquement augmenté de 16% pour ces deux flottilles. En 2005, la composition par tailles des captures a montré une forte proportion de prises d’âge 2, obtenue à l’aide de deux méthodes, le découpage des tailles et les clefs âge-taille, qui correspond à une forte proportion d’âge 1 observée en 2004 dans les deux flottilles. Toutefois, la proportion observée de prises d’âge 3 est différente selon la méthode appliquée pour obtenir la composition des âges des prises de la flottille de ligneurs

VME indicator species collected during exploratory fishing in Macaronesian seamounts

During the second half of 2012, the longline vessel MARANSA completed 13 fishing trips in international waters of CECAF Area (Division FAO 34), in nine Seamounts from northeast off Madeira (Lion, Ampere, Unicorn, Seine, “Camaguay”, “Cabezos”, Dacia and “Fantasma”) to south off the Canary Islands (Eco/Endeavour), between latitudes 19°N and 35°N, using bottom longlines. The main target species were demersal species such as Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) or Splendidalfonsino (Beryx splendens). An observer on board recorded the bycatch of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME) indicator species in order to evaluate the potential adverse impact of bottom fishing activities on VME and samples of the specimens for later identification in the laboratory were stored. The main indicator species found were cold-water corals (black corals, scleractinians and gorgonians) and sponges, species broadly associated with seamounts. The shallower banks, Ampere and Dacia in the north and centre of the area, show the greater biodiversity and the higher percentage of presence of VME indicator species (52% and 53% of the sets respectively), followed by Endeavour (South of the Canary Islands), 36.4%. In these three banks the species distribution is strongly related to depth, finding Antipatharia (mainly Stichopathes sp) and Scleractinia (Dendrophyllia cornigera and D. ramea) in shallower depths and Porifera (Neophryssospongia nolitangere, Leiodermatium lynceus and Asconema setubalense) in deeper bottoms. Species of the Porifera group are present in all banks except of so-called ”Cabezos”

Banco de La Concepción: A new Natura 2000 Marine Site off Canary Islands

The main objective of the LIFE+ INDEMARES project is to contribute to the protection and sustainable use of the biodiversity in the Spanish seas through the identification of valuable areas for the Natura 2000 Network. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) has been in charge of implementing scientific surveys to map sensitive habitats of seven of the ten INDEMARES areas, and to determine the fisheries footprint over these areas. Banco de La Concepci´on is one of the areas chosen to be depicted in the frame of INDEMARES project. Located at 71 km to the NE of Lanzarote, at the coordinates 29º 55’ Latitude N and 12º 45’ Longitude W, Banco de la Concepci´on raises from 2,541 m up to its summit at 170 m deep. The biological richness of Banco de la Concepci´on is very influenced by the deep water up-welling phenomena, which create a high productivity, attracting a multitude of pelagic species, such as cetaceans, turtles, sharks, and tunas looking for food. In its vicinity, fishery resources such as goraz, anglerfish, and hakes, are abundant, and a rich invertebrate fauna cohabits in their bottoms. Banco de la Concepci´on is a traditional fishing area of oceanic pelagic species, and very good to catch demersal fish; it is highly visited by Galician and Portuguese drifters and long liners that fish in Mauritania, and mainly by the Andalusian longliners. In general, its main impacts are related to uncontrolled fishing pressure. The available information on the anthropogenic impact of the area was scarce, and its level of research was very poor as well, before INDEMARES project. Methodology approach complies with a multidisciplinary perspective, having described the area from geological, oceanographic, biological and fisheries points of view. Several surveys have taken place since 2009 to 2013 at Banco de La Concepci´on waters. Traps, longlines, beam trawls, benthic dredges and box corers have been used to sample benthic fauna. These last two, plus EM 3002 multibeam echosounder, PS 18 parametric sub bottom profiler, EA600 monobeam sounder, Seapath 200 positioning sensor and SV Plus sound velocity calibration sensor were used to make a geophysical study which provides a range of environmental factors. CTD was used to depict physical conditions of the water column. Finally, Remote Operated Vehicle Liropus 2000 and different photogrammetric tugged sleds were used to make a great effort of visual sampling. Data from VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) were used, combined with interviews to users (fishers), to describe the fishery uses in the area. Results from all this field work provide enough information for the administrations to establish a new Natura 2000 area, trying to reconcile protection of biodiversity and artisanal local economic activities. This establishment should take place at the end of a process of public consultation to stakeholders which is taking place in the present and which will help to shape the future Management Plan which will give details about permitted and prohibited uses