MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES CERTIFICATION

South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl

Final Report

May 2016

Prepared For: Polar Ltd Prepared By: Acoura Marine Ltd.

Acoura Marine Final Report

South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl

Final Report

May 2016

Authors: Andy Hough, Jim Andrews, Graham Piling

Certification Body: Client: Acoura Marine Polar Ltd

Address: Address: 6 Redheughs Rigg 37 Fitzroy Road Edinburgh PO Box 215 EH12 9DQ Stanley Scotland, UK Falkland Islands

Name: Fisheries Department Name: Alex Reid Tel: +44(0) 131 335 6601 Tel: +500 22669 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.Acoura.com

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Contents

1 Executive Summary ...... 6 2 Authorship and Peer Reviewers ...... 8 2.1 Assessment Team ...... 8 2.2 Peer Reviewers ...... 9 3 Description of the Fishery ...... 11 3.1 Unit(s) of Assessment (UoA) and Scope of Certification Sought ...... 11 3.1.1 UoA and Proposed Unit of Certification (UoC) ...... 11 3.1.2 Final UoC(s)...... 12 3.1.3 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Catch Data ...... 13 3.1.4 Scope of Assessment in Relation to Enhanced Fisheries ...... 13 3.2 Overview of the fishery ...... 13 3.3 Principle One: Target species background ...... 16 3.4 Principle Two: Ecosystem background ...... 25 3.4.1 The aquatic ecosystem ...... 25 3.4.2 Retained and bycatch species ...... 26 3.4.3 Endangered, threatened or protected (ETP) species ...... 29 3.4.4 Habitats ...... 30 3.5 Principle Three: Management system background...... 32 3.5.1 Administrative boundaries ...... 32 3.5.2 Sovereignty ...... 33 3.5.3 CCAMLR ...... 33 3.5.4 Administration of the fishery ...... 33 3.5.5 Licensing of fishing vessels ...... 33 3.5.6 Fishery Management objectives...... 34 3.5.7 Incentives for sustainable fishing ...... 37 3.5.8 Compliance monitoring ...... 38 3.5.9 Research ...... 38 3.5.10 Monitoring & evaluation of management performance ...... 39 4 Evaluation Procedure ...... 40 4.1 Harmonised Fishery Assessment ...... 40 4.2 Previous assessments ...... 40 4.3 Assessment Methodologies ...... 41 Requirements ...... 41 4.4 Evaluation Processes and Techniques ...... 42 4.4.1 Site Visits ...... 42 4.4.2 Consultations ...... 42

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4.4.3 Evaluation Techniques ...... 42 5 Traceability ...... 45 5.1 Eligibility Date ...... 45 5.2 Traceability within the Fishery ...... 45 5.2.1 Tracking, tracing and segregation systems within the fishery ...... 46 5.2.2 Management systems related to traceability ...... 46 5.3 Eligibility to Enter Further Chains of Custody ...... 46 5.3.1 Parties eligible to use the fishery certificate ...... 46 5.3.2 Change of ownership ...... 47 5.3.3 Landing points ...... 47 5.3.4 Eligibility of Inseparable or Practicably Inseparable (IPI) stock(s) to Enter Further Chains of Custody ...... 47 6 Evaluation Results ...... 48 6.1 Principle Level Scores ...... 48 6.2 Summary of PI Level Scores ...... 48 6.3 Summary of Conditions ...... 49 6.4 Recommendations ...... 49 6.5 Determination, Formal Conclusion and Agreement ...... 49 7 References ...... 50 Appendix 1 Scoring and Rationales ...... 57 Appendix 1.1 Performance Indicator Scores and Rationale ...... 57 Appendix 1.2 Risk Based Framework (RBF) Outputs ...... 117 Appendix 1.3 Conditions ...... 118 Appendix 2 Peer Review Reports...... 119 Appendix 2.1 Peer Reviewer 1 ...... 119 Peer Reviewer 2 ...... 126 Appendix 3 Stakeholder Submissions ...... 136 Appendix 3.1 Written Submissions Made by Stakeholders ...... 136 Appendix 3.1.1 Comments on entry into assessment ...... 136 Appendix 3.1.2 Comments on Public Comment Draft Report ...... 136 Appendix 3.1.3 Verbal Submissions Made by Stakeholders ...... 140 Appendix 4 Surveillance Frequency ...... 141 Appendix 5 Objections Process ...... 142 Appendix 6 Consultancy ...... 143

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Index of Tables

Table 3.1: TAC and Catch Data ...... 13 Table 3.2. Biomass estimates of C. gunnari from trawl survey data from surveys 2000-2015 (Belchier et al., 2015)...... 19 Table 3.3. Icefish in Subarea 48.3 – Biomass (tonnes) estimates from groundfish surveys since 2000. Surveys in 2007 and 2008 were in September and April, respectively. The CCAMLR Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and catch taken are shown relative to the median biomass estimated by the survey. From Earl and Darby (2015)...... 22 Table 3.4 Catch history (commercial and research catches) for C. gunnari in Subarea 48.3 (CCAMLR 2014)...... 24 Table 3.5 Table of bycatch species which are discarded (Provided by GSGSSI) ...... 27 Table 3.6 Catch limits of by-catch for selected species in statistical sub-area 48.3 ...... 28 Table 3.7 Average mortalities for grey-headed and black-browed albatross and white- chinned petrel from 2010 to 2014 (with an average of 54 trawls observed per annum) ...... 29 Table 3.8: Summary of South Georgia Government and UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Objectives relevant to the management of the icefish fishery [Source: GSGSSI, 2016]...... 36 Table 4.1: Summary of Previous Assessment Conditions ...... 40 Table 4.2: Site visit details ...... 42 Table 4.3: Stakeholder consultations ...... 42 Table 4.4: Scoring elements ...... 43 Table 5.1: Traceability Factors within the Fishery ...... 45 Table 6.1: Final Principle Scores ...... 48 Table 7.1: Surveillance level rationale ...... 141 Table 7.2: Timing of surveillance audit ...... 141 Table 7.3: Fishery Surveillance Program...... 141

Index of Figures

Figure 3.1 Map of the area, showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Maritime Zone, the CCAMLR Convention Area and, specifically, Subarea 48.3, and the bathymetry (2000m contours presented). Map provided by Cefas ...... 14 Figure 3.2 A crewman tying a loop of sisal twine around the trawl net, binding the net, so that the net sinks quickly when thrown over the stern during shooting...... 15 Figure 3.3: Detail of trawl, showing links of chain sewn into the lower panel to encourage sinking...... 16 Figure 3.4 Map showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area with additional benthic and pelagic closed areas that were established in 2012. [Source: GSGSSI, 2012] ...... 26 Figure 3.5 Bathymetry of the seabed around South Georgia derived from swath bathymetric surveys [Source: BAS, 2014]...... 31 Figure 3.6 Map showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area with additional benthic and pelagic closed areas that were established in 2012. [Source: GSGSSI, 2012] ...... 32

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Glossary

ACAP Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels BAS British Antarctic Survey BCA Benthic Closed Area CCAMLR Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources CAMLR Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention. CDS Catch Documentation Scheme (see section 3.5.3) Cefas Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science COLTO Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators Inc. CPUE Catch per unit of fishing effort DCD or EDCD Dissostichus Catch Document (or Electronic Dissostichus Catch Document. DED Dissostichus Export Document ENGO Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation ETP Endangered, Threatened and Protected species. F Fishing mortality (with subscripts such as Fmsy = Fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield). FCO Foreign and Commonwealth Office (department of UK Government) GSGSSI Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands IUU Illegal unregulated unreported fishing activity KEP King Edwards Point, GSGSSI and BAS base on South Georgia MPA Marine Protected Area MRAG Marine Resources Assessment Group NPOA - Seabirds National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. NTZ No Take Zone RIA Reduced Impact Areas (relating to fishery impacts) ROV Remotely operated vehicles SAERI South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute SGMZ South Georgia Maritime Zone SGSSI MZ South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Maritime zone SSB Spawning Stock Biomass VME Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem WG - FSA Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment (CCAMLR)

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1 Executive Summary

» This report provides details of the MSC re-assessment process for the South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl fishery for Polar Ltd. This is a re-assessment with the fishery being initially certified on 22nd October 2010, and the certificate extended through a variation granted by the MSC until August 31st 2016. The assessment process began in 25th August 2015 and was concluded (to be determined at a later stage). » A comprehensive programme of stakeholder consultations were carried out as part of this assessment, complemented by a full and thorough review of relevant literature and data sources. » A rigorous assessment of the wide ranging MSC Principles and Criteria was undertaken by the assessment team and a detailed and fully referenced scoring rationale is provided in the assessment tree provided in Appendix 1.1 of this report. » The Target Eligibility Date for this assessment is 30th August 2016

The assessment team for this fishery assessment comprised of Andrew Hough who acted as team leader and primary Principle 2 specialist; Graham Pilling who was primarily responsible for evaluation of Principle 1 and Jim Andrews who was primarily responsible for evaluation of Principle 3.

Client strengths Fisheries in South Georgia are managed with a very strong focus on environmental sustainability. This is coincident with a similar strong conservation focus by the relevant overarching international management body, CCAMLR. The combination of CCAMLR conservation measures supported and supplemented by measures implemented by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) provides a coherent management strategy related to the target stock and all affected ecosystem components. Client weaknesses Historic exploitation of the South Georgia ecosystem (including whales, other mammals and fish, including icefish) make estimation of virgin biomass of icefish difficult; nevertheless, an appropriately conservative harvest strategy has been implemented. Final Determination It is the determination of the Acoura Marine assessment team for the South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl Fishery reassessment that the fishery should be certified against the Marine Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing. Rationale The fishery has performed well against each Performance Indicator; all PIs score 80 or more and no Principle scores are below 80. All conditions raised at the original assessment have been closed and no conditions are raised at this reassessment. Conditions & Recommendations » No conditions were considered necessary.

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For interested readers, the report also provides background to the target species and fishery covered by the assessment, the wider impacts of the fishery and the management regime, supported by full details of the assessment team, a full list of references used and details of the stakeholder consultation process. Acoura Marine Ltd. confirm that this fishery is within scope.

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2 Authorship and Peer Reviewers

2.1 Assessment Team

Andrew Hough (P2 & Team leader) has been active in the development of Marine Stewardship Council certification since 1997, when involved in the pre-assessment of the Thames herring fishery. He was a founding Director of Moody Marine, led the establishment of Moody Marine fishery certification systems and has represented Moody Marine at all MSC workshops until 2011. He has also worked with MSC on several specific development projects, including those concerned with the certification of small scale/data deficient fisheries. He has been Lead Assessor (and often also expert team member) on many fishery assessments to date. This has included Groundfish (e.g. cod, haddock, pollock, hoki, hake, flatfish), Pelagics (e.g. tuna species, herring, mackerel, sprat, krill, sardine) and shellfish (molluscs and crustacea); included evaluation of the environmental effects of all main gear types and considered many fishery administrations including the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Pacific, Southern Ocean and in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, China, Vietnam and Pacific Islands. He has recently acted solely as an expert team member of Principle 2 inputs of European inshore fisheries and Falkland Islands Toothfish. He has carried out peer reviews for various CABs including fisheries for molluscs, crustacea and freshwater finfish. Other assessments include Chain of Custody assessments for merchants, processors, distributors and retailers. Andrew has also been involved in the development of certification schemes for individual vessels (Responsible Fishing Scheme) and evaluation of the Marine Aquarium Council standards for trade in ornamental aquarium marine species. Consultancy services have included policy advice to the Association of Sustainable Fisheries, particularly with regard to the implications of MSC standard development, and assistance to fisheries preparing for, or engaged in, MSC assessment. Jim Andrews (P3) has over 20 years’ experience working in marine fisheries and environmental management. His previous experience includes running the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee as its Chief Executive from 2001 to 2005, and previously working as the SFC's Marine Environment Liaison Officer. During this time he was responsible for the regulation, management and assessment of inshore finfish and shellfish stocks along a 1,500km coastline. He has an extensive practical knowledge of both fisheries and environmental management and enforcement under UK and EC legislation. Jim has formal legal training & qualifications, with a special interest in the policy, governance and management of fisheries impacts on marine ecosystems. He has worked as an assessor and lead assessor on more than 20 MSC certifications within the UK, in Europe and in India since 2007. In 2008 he worked with the MSC and WWF on one of the pilot assessments using the new MSC Risk Based Assessment Framework. Jim has carried out numerous MSC Chain of Custody assessments within the UK. Graham Pilling (P1) joined SPC in September 2010 and is now a senior fisheries scientist within the Stock Assessment and Modelling section of the OFP, where he performs analyses and provides advice to underpin the decisions of regional and sub-regional tuna management bodies in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. His career started in 1994 as a marine fisheries consultant at MRAG Ltd in London, where he worked on fisheries in South Georgia

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and the British Indian Ocean Territory, as well as others. During this time he completed his fisheries PhD at Imperial College in 1999. In 2001 Graham moved to Cefas in Lowestoft UK, where he became the Head of the Seas and Oceans Group in 2007. During this period he provided stock assessment and ecosystem advice to the UK Government, ICES and the EU, and countries around the world. Graham has worked on a number of MSC fisheries assessments including the assessment of the NZ hake and ling fisheries. Jim Andrews and Andrew Hough are both qualified in undertaking Risk-Based Framework (RBF) assessments. 2.2 Peer Reviewers

The peer reviewers who were selected to complete a peer review for this fishery assessment are Geir Hønneland and Mike Pawson. Mike Pawson retired as senior fisheries advisor at Cefas, Lowestoft, after 39 years carrying out biological research and providing scientific advice to Defra, the EC and other national and international organisations on fish stock abundance, technical conservation measures and fisheries management regulations, and on related monitoring, sampling, survey and research programmes. Between 1974 and 1980 he initiated and led acoustic surveys for blue whiting and mackerel, and trawl surveys in the North Sea and, from 1980 to 1990, designed and managed MAFF's coastal fisheries programme, implementing biological sampling, trawl surveys, a fishermen’s logbook scheme and socio-economic evaluation of sea bass fisheries. Between 1990 and 2002 Mike led the Cefas Western demersal team, providing analytical assessments and management advice for 12 finfish stocks including hake and, since 2002, directed and managed the assessment of salmon and eel stocks in England and Wales and provided scientific advice on their conservation. During this time he was co-ordinator of the Anglo-French English Channel Fisheries Study Group (1989-1997), and chaired the ICES Southern Shelf Demersal Stock Assessment Working Group (1996-98), Seabass Study Group (2000-04) and Elasmobranch Study Group (2001-02), and scientific and technical meetings for the EC’s hake recovery plan (2000). He initiated and managed EU-funded multi-national projects on methods for egg-production stock biomass estimation, bio-geographical identity of English Channel fish stocks, bio-economic modelling of Channel fisheries, development of assessment methods for elasmobranchs and eels, and on marine recreational fishing. Since his retirement from Cefas in 2007, Mike has taken part in six Marine Stewardship Council fishery assessments. Mike has provided scientific evaluation, quality assurance and advice to several national and EC-funded projects on fisheries biology, monitoring and assessment, and one of his major roles over the last 15 years has been peer-reviewing scientific papers, project proposals, reports and manuscripts in preparation, and 35+ MSC assessments. All of Mike's work has been published in refereed Journals, in ICES and EC working group reports, and in contract reports. Geir Hønneland is Research Director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and adjunct professor at the University of Tromsø, Norway. He holds a Ph.D in political science from the University of Oslo, speaks Russian fluently and has followed the developments of Russian fishery politics and the Barents Sea fisheries management for more than two decades. Among his books are Implementing International Environmental Agreements in Russia (Manchester University Press, 2003) (including fisheries agreements), Russian Fisheries Management: The Precautionary Approach in Theory and Practice (Martinus Nijhoff , 2004), and Making Fishery

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Agreements Work: Post-Agreement Bargaining in the Barents Sea (Edward Elgar, forthcoming 2012). He has also published a number of articles about Russian fisheries management, and the Barents Sea fisheries management more widely, in peer reviewed journals. Geir also has wide range of evaluation experience, e.g. for the FAO relating to the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Further, he has produced a country study of Russian fisheries management for the OECD and several consultancies about Russian fisheries management. He was member of the team that performed the first MSC assessment of a Russian Barents Sea fishery in 2010. Geir is based near Oslo in Norway. A more comprehensive presentation can be found at the FNi´s website: http://www.fni.no/cv/cv-geh.html

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3 Description of the Fishery

3.1 Unit(s) of Assessment (UoA) and Scope of Certification Sought

The Unit of Assessment (UoA) for any given fishery is a breakdown of exactly what is being assessed to evaluate conformity with MSC Principles and Criteria. This covers not only the vessels / fishers that have been defined as part of the proposed certification (ie. the client group) but also any other party that must be considered as part of that evaluation. In other words, if the assessment is for fishing method A in geographical area X targeting stock S then the assessment must consider ALL fishers using method A in area X fishing for stock S, whether they wish to be MSC certified or not. This group outside of the core certification effort become the Other Eligible Fishers, who could potentially join the certificate at a later date through a suitable certificate sharing mechanism, devised by the certificate holder (or by joining the client group). (3.1.1 should be included in all reports prior to the PCR, to be replaced by 3.1.2 in the PCR) 3.1.1 UoA and Proposed Unit of Certification (UoC)

Species Mackerel Icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) Stock Name South Georgia Geographical Area CCAMLR Sub Area 48.3 Fishing Method/s Pelagic trawl Management System/s All of the SGSSI Maritime Zone falls within the boundaries of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, conservation measures for which are set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), a multinational organisation. Although the Maritime Zone covers three CCAMLR statistical subareas, the entire catch for this fishery comes from within only one: subarea 48.3. Where considered necessary, GSGSSSI also sets, and enforces, its own management policies, beyond those of CCAMLR. As an Overseas Territory of the UK, GSGSSI has no formal direct contact with CCAMLR, but is represented at CCAMLR by the Polar Regions unit of the Overseas Territories, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK. Enforcement is conducted by GSGSSI patrol vessels whose operations are consistent with CCAMLR standards and procedures. GSGSSI puts into effect the conservation measures set by CCAMLR, which is advised by its Scientific Committee (SC-CCAMLR), which is in turn advised by its Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment and Working Group on Statistics and Modelling (SAM). GSGSSI also implements its own fisheries and

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environmental conservation measures which are more precautionary than those of CCAMLR. Client Group Fishing Operators are Polar Ltd. Polar Ltd operate three vessels in the fishery. These are f/v Sil, f/v New Polar and f/v Robin M Lee. Other Eligible Fishers At present there are no other entrants in the fishery. If new entrant were to be licenced to join the fishery, Polar is willing to discuss with the operators the possibility of allowing them to join the UoC. The UoA therefore includes all fishers licensed within the GSGSSI fishery. Polar Ltd. cannot currently identify any fishing operators who might join the fishery in 2016 (to-date Polar Ltd. is the only licenced icefish operator in 2015) and therefore would therefore be eligible to join the certification at this stage. However, should another operator enter the GSGSSI licenced South Georgia icefish fishery in the future Polar Ltd. would welcome their inclusion in the MSC Unit of Certification and would facilitate this wherever possible and as long as a mutual agreement on cost sharing and compliance can be reached.

The proposed Unit(s) of Certification for this fishery is as defined above, without the ‘Other Eligible Fishers’ specified. These Other Eligible Fishers will be eligible to join the certificate at a later date either by joining the Client Group or through a certificate sharing agreement, defined by the fishery client.

3.1.2 Final UoC(s)

Species Stock Name Geographical Area Fishing Method/s Management System/s Client Group

Rationale for changes to UoC(s) from those defined in the Final Report

… Other Eligible Fishers

Other Eligible Fishers Other eligible fishers are any other vessels/companies licensed by GSGSSI to enter the fishery for any period which enters into agreement with Polar Ltd on cost- sharing and compliance.

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Other Eligible Fishers - as defined above - will be eligible to join the certificate at a later date either by joining the Client Group or through a certificate sharing agreement, defined by the fishery client.

3.1.3 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Catch Data

Table 3.1: TAC and Catch Data TAC Year 2015 Amount 2,659 mt UoA share of TAC Year 2015 Amount 2,600 mt UoC share of TAC Year 2015 Amount 2,600 mt Total green weight catch by Year (most 2015 Amount 270,836 kg UoC recent) Year (second 2014 Amount 33,311 kg most recent)

3.1.4 Scope of Assessment in Relation to Enhanced Fisheries

There are no enhancement activities associated with this fishery or stock.

3.2 Overview of the fishery

Mackerel icefish Champsocephalus gunnari is found in both the Atlantic (Bouvet Island, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney, South Shetland Islands and the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula) and Indian Oceans (Kerguelen and Heard and McDonald Islands). The species is now exploited only at South Georgia and in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands fishery (both are currently MSC certified), with occasional strong year classes at Kerguelen also being fished. The fishery for mackerel icefish at South Orkney and South Shetland Islands ceased in the mid-1980s and was considerably reduced at South Georgia at about the same time. Before 1987, no catch limit was set and catches reported to CCAMLR between 1976 and 1987 are considered highly uncertain due to species reporting issues and potential over-reporting of catch. The reported catches since that time have fluctuated widely, between 80,000 tonnes in 1986/87 and 0 tonnes between 1992 and 1997 (with a variation in TAC since 1986/87 of between 0 and 1300 tonnes; see Table 3.4). All of the SGSSI Maritime Zone falls within the boundaries of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, conservation measures for which are set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), a multinational organisation. Although the Maritime Zone covers three CCAMLR statistical subareas, the entire catch for this fishery comes from within only one: subarea 48.3.

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Figure 3.1 Map of the area, showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Maritime Zone, the CCAMLR Convention Area and, specifically, Subarea 48.3, and the bathymetry (2000m contours presented). Map provided by Cefas

The convention was adopted in 1980 and entered into force in 1982. Currently 24 members have subscribed to the Commission (the executive body), including the European Union. The aim of the Convention is the conservation of Antarctic marine life. Conservation is defined to include rational use, although there is no activity directed at management of seals and whales as harvestable resources, these being covered by other conventions. Fisheries management in South Georgia waters is therefore based directly on the annual scientific advice and recommended management measures of CCAMLR. As an Overseas Territory of the UK, GSGSSI has no formal direct contact with CCAMLR, but is represented at CCAMLR by the Polar Regions Unit of the Overseas Territories, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK. Enforcement is conducted by GSGSSI patrol vessels whose operations are consistent with CCAMLR standards and procedures. GSGSSI puts into effect the conservation measures set by CCAMLR, which is advised by its Scientific Committee (SC- CCAMLR), which is in turn advised by its Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment and Working Group on Statistics and Modelling (SAM). Some conservation measures are aimed at preservation of the target stock while others are aimed at the reduction of direct or incidental impacts on other species. Conservation measures for target species of fisheries include the setting of annual Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for each species according to individual sub- areas. In addition, GSGSSI makes domestic legislation that adds a more precautionary approach to conserve fish stocks and related marine living resources, maintain safe and sustainable fisheries, and raise the standards of management, research, and fishery operations.

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The gear used is a pelagic trawl, as regulated. As such nets would be damaged if they came into contact with the seabed, interaction with the seabed is actively avoided. The legal minimum mesh size is 90mm, but Polar Ltd use 95mm in order to allow a MLS of 150g fish which normally relate to a length size of 24cm. Pelagic doors are used. Exact design of the net is commercially sensitive to the net designer and Polar (note that Acoura Marine were given a net plan for information).

There are several bird mitigation measures that are used to prevent birds from meshing whilst shooting the trawl. After hauling the gear is carefully cleaned to remove any fish that are meshed or left in the extension or cod end. The gear is bound up with sisal string (biodegradable) from the cod end forward.

Figure 3.2 A crewman tying a loop of sisal twine around the trawl net, binding the net, so that the net sinks quickly when thrown over the stern during shooting.

The sisal is tied round the gear to choke/bind it (i.e. the gear is tied up like a joint of meat along its length). Weights, actually short sections of chain, are permanently sewn into the lower panel of the extension. This tying up and weighting of the gear ensures that it quickly sinks when shot away over the stern of the MFV thus reducing the time when birds may become meshed. When the gear is completely shot away the otter doors start to spread and the load, along with hydrodynamic drag, is sufficient to snap the sisal thus allowing the gear to open up and fish.

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Figure 3.3: Detail of trawl, showing links of chain sewn into the lower panel to encourage sinking.

Links of chain are permanently sewn into the lower panel of the extension to ensure the trawl net sinks quickly upon shooting away. This rapid sinking rate reduces the likelihood of sea birds being entangled in the net and being dragged underwater.

3.3 Principle One: Target species background

The stock of icefish within Area 48.3 is currently defined as a separate stock, isolated from other populations and hence able to be managed separately (WG-FSA-07/12; Clark et al., 2008). If this were not the case, then catches from other areas would need to be taken into account within stock assessment and management decisions. Separate stocks are currently defined in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean around South Georgia including Shag Rocks (area 48.3), South Shetland Islands (including the Elephant Island group), the South Orkney Islands and Bouvetøya. Populations within the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean may be genetically similar (Kuhn et al., 2006), but C. gunnari has never been found in waters deeper than 700 m and most fish live shallower than 300 m, which would clearly separate South Georgia as a management unit from other populations (WG-FSA-07/12). Although there is evidence of some differences between the Shag Rocks and South Georgia populations (Kock, 2005), notably different size compositions (WG-FSA-06/51), these are not considered significant enough to require separate management and do not represent separate stocks for the purposes of stock assessment (CCAMLR, 2013). Spawning is known to take place during the winter months (March - May) in South Georgia, within the fjords and shallower parts of the shelf to the northeast of the island. Most fish coming into spawning condition in May. All commercial fishing activity occurs further than 12nm from the coast and therefore the spawning and fishing areas do not overlap. Post-larval and small juvenile mackerel icefish have been observed close to the shore of South Georgia (Frolkina

2002). Estimates of the size at which 50% of individuals are mature are available, and an Lm50 of 26-32cm has been estimated (e.g. Kochkin, 1995), with a length at first spawning of approximately 25cm (Kock, 1989). A substantial proportion of fish with resting-stage gonads in the pre-spawning period have been found in South Georgia, with large variations from year to year. Observed length distributions peaking around the size of maturity, or above (dependent upon year class strength, etc.), implying both adult and juveniles will be exploited by the gear.

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The estimate of natural mortality (M) is highly uncertain. Average natural mortality estimates have varied from 0.49 – 1.19 year-1. The low numbers of 5+ ages in the survey, together with high levels of mortality in those years when krill is scarce (WG-FSA-07/12; Reid and Croxall, 2001), contributes to the uncertainty over natural mortality. Icefish mortality events have been linked with condition indices, and krill abundance (Hill et al. 2005; North 2005). 2 to 4 year olds are more likely to be krill dependent, but the main cause may be predation as fur seals switch from krill in poor years (Everson et al. 1999). Natural mortality may, in some years, increase by a large factor (4), declining to normal levels again when krill return (Agnew et al. 1998). Catchability may also be affected by krill abundance (Frolkina and Kasatkina 2001). Furthermore, deterioration of the habitat in northern parts of icefish distribution (e.g. South Georgia) could influence the growth, mortality, size at first maturity, fecundity and annual recruitment (WG-FSA-07/12). A natural mortality estimate of 0.71 year-1 was used in the most recent assessment, which is high for a relatively slow growing species (K=0.17 year-1) with low fecundity. Previously estimates of M ranging between 0.3 and 0.64 year The presence of relatively low numbers of age 5+ fish and virtual absence of age 6+ fish in either survey or commercial catches was suggested by the CCAMLR working group to reflect increased natural mortality for fish with ages greater than (presumably) 4 years. With values of M likely to be age- specific and dynamic, varying between areas and years, a higher estimate of M is considered more precautionary. Icefish mortality events have been linked with condition indices, and krill abundance.

3.3.1 Monitoring of Stock Status The current assessment/management approach for icefish is partly driven by uncertainties in the biology of the species which makes the use of statistical models more prone to uncertainty. A key uncertainty is in the stock-recruitment relationship. Strong icefish year classes (recruitment) have been produced around South Georgia at irregular intervals from 1972 until the present. Recruitment can range over 1 – 2 orders of magnitude. There is presently no obvious relationship between recruitment and parent stock size at South Georgia (Kock and Everson, 2003). It is strongly suspected that the growth and natural mortality parameters fluctuate in the absence of fishing, are poorly estimated and may well be changing over time, making longer term forecasting or basing reference points on a stable unexploited state unreliable. While data exist to develop recruitment indices, which are used within management indices, a stock-recruitment relationship has not been developed for use within ‘standard’ assessment models. There are often considerable problems in using pelagic trawl CPUE as a credible index of abundance. For icefish, commercial CPUE data is unlikely to relate to abundance as industry search for and fish on concentrations of this species. As a result of these issues, instead of using an analytical stock assessment to model the historical evolution of the population and estimate reference points, fishery independent demersal surveys are used as the basis for the assessment of icefish stocks, aiming to estimate the evolution of stock biomass through direct measurement rather than statistical inference. To this end, a regular stratified bottom trawl survey is performed in a consistent manner around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. This groundfish survey provides information on pre-recruit toothfish biomass and is also used to estimate icefish biomass. A highly precautionary (low) estimate of estimated icefish biomass is derived, and

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used to project the likely biomass levels that would result under specific levels of future catch in order to find the catch level that will allow a particular percentage of the population to remain. The management system is further precautionary in that: a) a lower bound of the estimated icefish biomass is used within the projection; b) the biomass estimate is known to be negatively biased due to the demersal nature of the survey, which will ‘miss’ the biomass of icefish within the water column; c) no recruitment is modelled within the projection period and hence the identified allowable catch levels will be lower than they could otherwise be. The stratified bottom trawl survey provides the estimate of biomass and population length structure for the current stock which forms the first part of the assessment of the Subarea 48.3 icefish stock. Estimates of standing stock biomass are derived using catch densities based on the area swept by the trawl (calculated from wing-spread and tow distance). Seafloor areas were obtained from the South Georgia bathymetry dataset, based primarily on swath bathymetry (Fretwell et al., 2009). Biomass estimates and confidence limits are calculated using the CCAMLR bootstrap method, which is coded in “R” and provides the lower one-sided 95% CI used in CCAMLR assessments. The bootstrap method adjusts individual haul densities (D) to correct for different sampling intensities in different strata using the following equation:

Where DC = corrected density; AS= stratum area; AT total area; HT = total number of hauls and HS number of hauls in that stratum. The biomass estimate is obtained by multiplying the mean corrected density by the total seafloor area and confidence intervals are determined by a bootstrap re-sampling of the corrected densities (see Efron & Tibshirami 1993), with 10,000 re-samples. The CCAMLR bootstrap was applied using 10 strata (five regions each with 2 depth zones). The demersal surveys have been conducted approximately every two years since 2000 as well as in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The surveys provide information on population structure as well as abundance. Commercial CPUE is available, but not used. It is noted that shifts in the timing of the survey can lead to uncertainty in the comparability of biomass estimates (Darby et al., 2013) as large variation in the temporal distribution of the Subarea 48.3 stock has been demonstrated by Frolkina (2002). Standardisation of the timing of the survey with a spatial design customised to that time of year is critical to the provision of a useable index for the stock (Darby et al., 2013). The most recent random stratified bottom trawl survey of the South Georgia and Shag Rocks shelves was performed in January 2015, and provided the basis of the 2015 icefish stock assessment (Belchier et al., 2015). A total of 77 random and representative hauls were completed (out of a proposed 80 sites across 10 different geographic strata, an increase over the 8 strata used in 2007), and indicated as giving good geographic coverage, encompassing depths between 108 and 352m. The results were used to generate a standing stock estimate. The overall mean biomass was calculated at 48,543 tonnes, comparable to estimates in 2010 and 2011, but lower than the high estimate in 2013 of 166,577 tonnes (which had associated wide confidence intervals). The lower 1-sided 95% interval estimate for 2015 was 29,300t. This lower interval is used within the second stage of the assessment and ensures that greater

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uncertainty automatically results in lower recommended TAC, which is consistent with the precautionary approach. Mackerel icefish density was low on the fishing grounds of the North West stratum but higher at the western end of the Shag Rocks shelf.

Table 3.2. Biomass estimates of C. gunnari from trawl survey data from surveys 2000-2015 (Belchier et al., 2015). No. Mean Lower 1- CI as Lower Upper 95 Year Trawls Biomass sided % 95 % CI % CI (Tonnes) 95% CI Mean 2000 41 27,547 6,262 65,513 7,126 25.9 2002 63 33,383 12,537 63,934 14,322 42.9 2004 65 63,383 21,339 118,894 26,328 41.5 2005* 38 7,512 3,541 12,597 4,019 53.5 2006 63 96,190 29,314 185,849 36,068 37.5 2007 49 41,468 10,265 83,050 13,136 31.7 2008 70 64,808 20,064 130,422 24,257 37.4 2009 71 25,288 13,485 39,522 15,052 59.5 2010 75 42,167 17,337 79,402 19,574 46.4 2011 87 39,769 23,139 60,898 25,263 63.5 2013 70 166,577 43,538 352,028 53,171 32 2015 77 48,543 26,536 76,050 29,300 60.4

The 2015 survey also included acoustic data to investigate the relative abundance of the pelagic component of the C. gunnari population. However, a number of operational issues were encountered that limited the use of the data. Comparison between historical bottom trawl surveys and limited acoustic/pelagic surveys of icefish conducted in Subarea 48.3 have shown C. gunnari of all sizes and ages spend time in midwater, and therefore that a bottom trawl survey tend to underestimate C. gunnari biomass (WG-FSA-07/56; WG-FSA-SAM-04/20). Biomass estimates from the survey are multiplied by a constant correction factor of 1.241 within the stock assessment process to make them consistent with a previous survey that used a higher head line height (x1.241 higher). The assumption is therefore that the demersal trawl indices monitor the dynamics of the icefish stock biomass. The current survey is known to underestimate the actual icefish biomass, due to the presence of icefish in the water column at the time of the survey (Darby et al., 2013). It is noted that the associated HCR is considered appropriate even if the whole icefish stock were in fact demersal – the proportion of fish that are in the water column and hence not sampled within the demersal survey increase the level of precaution within the management system. In 2015, high-definition camera units were also used to collect video observations on icefish behaviour around the survey trawl gear. Although catches of C. gunnari were generally average to low, some observations were made of the species, and interactions at particular stations may yield a preliminary estimate of footrope escapement (Belchier et al., 2015). The second stage of the assessment of mackerel icefish agreed by CCAMLR WG-FSA (2010) and based upon the demersal survey biomass estimate, follows the CCAMLR decision rules as implemented by the length based method described in Edwards et al. (2010a) and which removed the need for cohort identification associated with the age based projection model

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used in previous assessments. The projection algorithm applies a fixed length weight relationship to scale the survey distribution of total abundance at length to achieve a raised distribution with a weight equal to the 5th percentile of the bootstrapped survey demersal biomass distribution. The length distribution is then projected forward, using a Von-Bertalanffy growth matrix, for a further two years under the assumptions of no fishing and no recruitment to establish a reference biomass. A TAC for each year is then calculated by estimating the constant harvest rate over the two year period that allows 75% escapement of the reference biomass at the end of the second year (Edwards et al., 2010a). Analysis has shown that the approach provides a precautionary estimate of catch limit for mackerel icefish (Hillary et al., 2009, Hillary et al., 2010, Edwards et al., 2010a, Edwards et al., 2010b, Darby et. al. 2013). It has been evaluated for sensitivity to the raising procedure to the fixed length weight relationship (i.e. it is not adjusted each year) and was found not make a significant difference to the precaution of the application. Sensitivity to growth assumptions was also examined, and uncertainty was dominated by the variation in the abundance at length rather than the location of the peaks in the length distribution. Variation in recruitment abundance, noise in the survey estimates and non-constant natural mortality appear to be dominating the observed distributions. However, current growth parameters used within the assessment are felt to be suitable (Darby et al, 2013). Based on the results from retrospective analyses, the CCAMLR HCR approach resulted in projected biomass estimates that had a very high probability of falling below the subsequent survey estimates (which include recruitment). Thus the survey and the projection algorithm were considered to be providing precautionary stock biomass estimates and the catch associated with them was also precautionary (Darby et al., 2013). Clear documented harvest control rules are in place and are applied annually in CCAMLR advice on TACs. The decision rule procedure requires Monte Carlo simulations of the population biomass over a 2 year projection to achieve a given level of escapement under defined annual TAC levels. As a precautionary measure the lower 95% confidence limit of the most recent trawl surveys is taken as the population biomass. Using this value, the CCAMLR agreed management rule calculates a TAC that leaves the stock no less than 75% of the biomass that would be expected after two seasons if there were no fishing and no recruitment. Therefore the TAC is set as a proportion of the current lower 95% CI of the most recent biomass estimate. The TAC should be least sensitive to natural mortality, but quite sensitive to growth rates (see above), and very sensitive to the estimate of the current biomass from the survey. The projection approach is considered precautionary because it does not take into account the pelagic component of the population. That is, the biomass is deliberately underestimated with the purpose of providing a precautionary TAC. CCAMLR WG-SAM (2013 para. 4.33) also noted that the biomass projections upon which the catch advice is based are consistent with CCAMLR objectives and that the future levels of exploitation generated are considered precautionary. In recent years, a limit reference point has been developed for the Subarea 48.3 icefish stock, Given the lack of any clear evidence of any impairment to the stock by the CCAMLR HCR- defined level of exploitation HCR, a non-parametric biomass reference level was defined to minimise the risk of over-exploitation, based upon the biomass survey information and using the logic specified in Darby et al., 2014. On review of the surveys and analyses, the non-parametric limit reference point was based on the lowest observed biomass in the time series. This has been justified because there has been no indication of a decline in the stock, even during the late 1990s when more substantial

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catches of icefish were being taken. The lowest mean estimated biomass was 7 512 t in 2005 (Belchier et al., 2015). Although catches were poor in 2005, the survey indicated a substantial increase in 2006 and a catch of over 4000 tonnes was taken in 2007. A provisional reference point at which the fishery will be closed has been adopted when the survey estimates a median biomass of 8000t or below. This biomass limit has been implemented by GSGSSI in 2013. While assessments in the past have been run with alternative growth rates and post survey catches as alternative scenarios, the most recent assessment in 2015 was run with a single growth estimate and the biomass at the end of the current season as the lower 5%ile of the survey biomass bootstrap, minus the catch in that season. While not all the uncertainty is therefore incorporated within the advice for future catch levels, the approach can still be viewed as precautionary. Indeed, trials indicated that the sensitivity to the growth model assumed was marginal compared to the precautionary nature of the assumption that the survey biomass is absolute, and compared to the impact of noise in the length distributions. As a result, the application of the ‘HCR’ is felt by CCAMLR to be robust to the use of a single growth curve in the assessment. Further precaution is incorporated by assuming recruitment to the stock within the projection period is zero. Currently, natural mortality is set at 0.71 y-1 (Earl and Darby 2015), on the basis of the work of Edwards et al. (2010a). Forecasting selectivity is difficult. Analyses have demonstrated that, during daylight hours, young of the year and juvenile fish are found in the pelagic layer whereas adult fish were found in the catches from bottom hauls. Younger fish are less vulnerable to capture by bottom trawl than older fish because of their vertical distribution (Everson and Kock, 2007). The horizontal distribution of fish will also affect the size composition of the icefish that are caught in commercial fishing, as fishing effort is concentrated on areas of higher abundance and larger sizes. Selectivity is also controlled to some extent by net mesh size and the move-on rule, which has varied (see Conservation Measure 42-01 2007). Vulnerability of fish to capture during the commercial fishing operations is affected by the CCAMLR Conservation Measure 110/XV introduced in 1997 and maintained in CCAMLR Conservation Measure 41-01 (2014), which required that, should there be more than 10% of the catch of icefish in any haul less than 280 mm in length, the vessel must fish at least 5 nm away from that location for at least five days. The length-based move-on provision was subsequently modified as necessary to protect specific cohorts, and later reduced to 240 mm, which should provide adequate protection to fish younger than 2 (de la Mare et al. 1998). CCAMLR Conservation Measure 41-01 (2014) currently requires that, should there be more than 100kg of C. gunnari or more than 10% of the catch by number are smaller than 240mm total length, the vessel should follow the move-on rule. This will protect the juvenile life stages. Factors affecting the population dynamics of mackerel icefish have been regularly discussed and considered during WG-FSA meetings (see WG-FSA reports) and where data are lacking, suitably precautionary scientific advice is given. Research is also being undertaken to resolve various issues, albeit this will clearly take considerable time. For example, data have been analysed to assess spawning periods and locations of C. gunnari in Subarea 48.3, confirming that current 12nm fishery exclusion zones around South Georgia would protect identified important spawning areas (Belchier et al., 2007). Environmental effects on the ecosystem dynamics and icefish and krill abundance are currently being investigated. A major determinant is likely to be krill abundance (Hill et al. 2005; Everson et al. 1999). Diet analyses are regularly undertaken during surveys to support these

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investigations. The role of icefish within the food web has been examined for fishery management implications (e.g. Reid et al., 2005).

3.3.2 Current Stock Status The latest length-based assessment (Earl and Darby, 2015) was presented to the Fish Stock Assessment Working Group in 2015 (WG-FSA-15/25). Within that assessment, the bootstrap procedure was applied to estimate the demersal icefish biomass in CCAMLR subarea 48.3 using data from the UK trawl survey conducted in January 2015. The CCAMLR harvest control rule was then applied to determine catch limits for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 fishing season. Application of the CCAMLR rule ensures 75% biomass escapement after a two year projection period under the assumption of zero recruitment to the stock, incorporating precaution through the use of the one-sided lower 95% confidence limit of the survey biomass as the basis for the projections and determination of TAC. The WG-FSA recommended that based upon the estimated biomass of 59,081 tonnes (lower one sided 5th percentile: 36,530 tonnes) within Statistical Subarea 48.3 and the results of the projections for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons applying the CCAMLR harvest control rule, catch limits (TAC) should be 3,461 tonnes for 2015/16 and 2,074 tonnes for 2016/17. These TACs are very low compared to historical catches reported for the 1970s and 1980s. Catch levels relative to estimated stock biomass have caught between 19.9% and 0.0% of the median biomass estimate (Table 3.3).

Table 3.3. Icefish in Subarea 48.3 – Biomass (tonnes) estimates from groundfish surveys since 2000. Surveys in 2007 and 2008 were in September and April, respectively. The CCAMLR Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and catch taken are shown relative to the median biomass estimated by the survey. From Earl and Darby (2015).

* In 2013, one haul caught an anomalously high catch, and was excluded from the bootstrap. While the current assessment addresses changes in abundance associated with variable recruitment, it does not explicitly consider the uncertainty of growth and mortality, nor the possibility that size at first maturity and fecundity may be affected by environmental factors. However, in 2007, two model runs were undertaken with different growth parameters (growth parameters used in the previous assessment of 2006 and new parameters from North (2005)) and alternative catches taken after the survey. These sensitivity runs, based on the decision rule, produced four alternative TACs for the next two years 2007/8 and 2008/9. Of these, the lowest TACs were taken forward as recommendations to the management authority. In recent years, single assumed parameters have been used within the assessment (e.g. Darby and Earl, 2015), on the basis of the sensitivity analyses described above. While recent catches have been low in comparison to the estimated population biomass, the overall stock status (level of depletion) is unclear. Historically, catches may have been very much higher particularly 1980-1988, with reported catches by Russian trawlers being as high as 175,000t in 1982/83. The decline in yield of mackerel icefish could be due to a combination of fishing pressure and a deterioration in the environment in the northern parts of the

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distribution of the species, as well as increased predation (Everson and Kock, 2007). It is also probable that these catch data are not accurate and include some unknown proportion of species other than C. gunnari. The general yield approach deals with these uncertainties by applying an escapement policy, ensuring that some minimum proportion of the current recruits reach maturity. This avoids addressing issues related to estimating the unobserved unexploited stock size directly, which as noted above is uncertain for this stock. Historical catch data are not used in the assessment. It is possible that the stock is currently depleted due to high catches during the 1970s and 1980s. However, current catches as derived through the CCAMLR HCR have been assessed as resulting in a very low level of exploitation when compared to survey biomass estimates, which themselves are acknowledged under-estimates. Therefore, the actual level of exploitation would be considerably lower than estimated.

3.3.3 Management Advice

We note that while the ‘default’ target level of fishing considered by the MSC is maximum sustainable yield, we also note that the MSC definition of a TRP is “The point which corresponds to a state of a fishery and/or resource which is considered desirable and which management is trying to achieve” (V1.3). Management objectives for the icefish fishery for CCAMLR and GSGSSI (the latter of which are listed in Table 3.8) do not include exploitation at MSY, in acknowledgement of the ecosystem approach and uncertainties on icefish population dynamics. The general strategy is to keep the exploitation rate low until better information is available on the stock size and population dynamics. As noted, a decision rule is used to set a relatively low TAC each year based on an annual fishery independent survey. The management advice from WG-FSA for the coming years was described in Section 3.3.2. In addition, conservation measures discourage catching immature icefish below 24cm length. The strategy includes feedback to management, from setting the controls through data collection and analysis, which estimates the outcome leading to an adjustment in the TAC and conservation measures. An outline of the strategy and other aspects of the CCAMLR management regime are available from the CCAMLR website (http://www.ccamlr.org/). The full range of conservation measures are described in Conservation Measure 42-01 (2014). The TAC is administrated through a licensing system and quota allocation. Vessels are licensed on the basis of previous performance in the fishery, compliance record, safety standards and contribution to enhancing science and raising fishery standards. The number of licences reflects the size of the quota, so fewer licences would be issued should the TAC be reduced. Since licences are strictly allocated on a biennial basis (since the 2013/14 seasion), any adjustment of licences is possible in a relatively short timeframe. The pattern of effort, catch limits, and reported catches are shown in Table 3.4. CCAMLR notes that annual catches, relative to the catch limit, are variable, depending on the extent of participation in the fishery. Catches are also influenced by both interannual variation in the icefish population abundance and the availability of fish to the fishery (i.e. changes in the location and depth of fish) (Fishery report 2014).

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Table 3.4 Catch history (commercial and research catches) for C. gunnari in Subarea 48.3 (CCAMLR 2014).

The last small overshoot of the TAC was in 2008, by 29 t, which followed a small overshoot in 2007 of 8 t. However, in the last 6 years, catches have been well below the TAC levels. The catch limits are set to achieve the objectives of Article II of the Convention (Constable and de la Mare, 1996 and Constable et al. 2000). Achievement of the TAC is estimated by CCAMLR on the basis of ongoing catch reports during the season, supported by daily catch reporting to Government Officers based at King Edward Point as a condition of the licence and monitoring of the movement of vessels around the SGMZ, and the measures to close fishery each year when the TAC is achieved are effective at stopping the licensed fishery. The licensing system increases the interest in sustainable management and understanding of the regulations (see GSGSSI Licensing Criteria). The system builds an improving relationship between the industry and management, which should improve compliance. The other main controls on fishing are through area closure, and a move-on rule to reduce catches of immature icefish and bycatch species. Fishing is prohibited within 12 nautical miles

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of the coast of South Georgia (see GSGSSI Letter on Information for icefish licence holders 2014/15), and within 3nm of the South Sandwich Islands. The move-on rule requires that a vessel should move to another fishing location at least 5 nautical miles distant and not return anywhere within 5 nautical miles of the location where either: Where any haul contains more than 100 kg of Champsocephalus gunnari, and more than 10% of C. gunnari by number are smaller than 240 mm total length, the fishing vessel shall move to another fishing location at least 5 n miles distant. The fishing vessel shall not return to any point within 5 n miles of the location where the catch of small C. gunnari exceeded 10% for a period of at least five days. By-catch in this fishery shall be regulated as set out in Conservation Measures 33-01/42-01. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari, the by-catch in any one haul of any of the species named in Conservation Measure 33-01 is greater than 100 kg and exceeds 5% of the total catch of all fish by weight, or is equal to, or greater than, 2 tonnes, then the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least 5 n miles distant.

3.3.4 Key LTL Species Champsocephalus gunnari is not a key LTL species. It is not within CB1 of MSC Certification Requirements V1.3, and is not considered within CCAMLR research to be a keystone species of the ecosystem, i.e. a large proportion of the trophic connections in the ecosystem do not involve this stock, there is not a large volume of energy passing between lower and higher trophic levels through this stock, and there are many other species at this trophic level through which energy can be transmitted from lower to higher trophic levels. By contrast, species such as krill are central to the food web within the Southern Ocean (e.g. Hill et al., 2012; Murphy et al., 2013). C. gunnari has a trophic index between 3.23-3.49.

3.4 Principle Two: Ecosystem background

3.4.1 The aquatic ecosystem

The Antarctic food web is known to be based on krill production. Mackerel icefish are known to play an important role in the South Georgia ecosystem as predators of krill, other euphausiids and the amphipod Themisto and as prey species of fur seals and Gentoo penguins and, in years of high abundance, juvenile toothfish. Icefish populations have been shown to vary in response to krill availability (Fishery report 2014). Ecosystem models of the South Georgia pelagic ecosystem have been constructed allowing preliminary testing of hypotheses of ecosystem change (Hill et al, 2011, Atkinson et al 2001). The CCAMLR management framework is designed to achieve the conservation of Antarctic marine life. Conservation is defined to include rational use. Fisheries management in South Georgia waters is therefore based directly on the annual scientific advice and recommended management measures of CCAMLR. Principal among these is the maintenance of the krill resource. In February 2012 the GSGSSI announced the creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering the GSGSSI maritime zone north of 60°S (GSGSSI, 2012a). This created a 1.07

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million km2 MPA Within this area a number of No Take Zones were established, covering 20,341km2, including the area to 12nm from the coast. Further measures were introduced in June 2013 which included a ban on bottom fishing in waters deeper than 2,250m; the creation of some benthic closed areas in the depths fished for toothfish; and also the seasonal closure of the krill fishery (http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Press%20Releases/SG%20MPA%20Press%20Rel ease.pdf).

Figure 3.4 Map showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area with additional benthic and pelagic closed areas that were established in 2012. [Source: GSGSSI, 2012]

The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA protects marine predators (through the inshore exclusion area) and benthos from the impacts of fishing. The icefish fishery is entirely pelagic. 3.4.2 Retained and bycatch species

Species which may be retained on occasion are Antarctic armless flounder, Blackfin icefish, Marbled rockcod, Patagonian toothfish, the ray Raja georgiana and South Georgia icefish. These may be retained as scientific samples, for crew consumption or, for South Georgia icefish, may be marketed on occasion. There are several other bycatch species which are discarded, these are all listed in the table below. Most bycatch species are pelagic and so susceptible to catching in the pelagic trawl

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gear used. Several others were associated with a single incident in 2012/13 when gear came into contact with the sea bed, thought to be when turning the vessel during a tow.

Table 3.5 Table of bycatch species which are discarded (Provided by GSGSSI) Caught (kg) Average % 2010/11 - 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2014/15 Species under MSC certification Mackerel icefish 1730.0 983813.0 1326384.1 33366.2 270230.3 93.14 Other Retained Species Antarctic armless flounder 16.9 0.00 Blackfin icefish 34.9 102.4 1087.0 11.6 0.04 Marbled rockcod 5.7 118.1 699.5 123.1 0.03 Patagonian toothfish 1.9 3.1 16.4 0.00 Raja georgiana 18.2 261.5 0.01 South Georgia icefish 16.0 93.9 688.1 2413.9 88.4 0.12 Discards/slipped species Bathydraconidae 2.9 10.0 0.00 Humped rockcod 15.0 233.9 168.3 12.2 0.02 Jellyfish 121.0 5.5 0.00 Lanternfish 9.0 283.5 53.1 355.4 0.02 Moray cods 1.7 7.8 0.00 Painted rockcod 1.2 144.7 0.01 Skates and rays 27.6 22.8 0.00 Snake mackerels, escolars nei 0.8 0.0 4.5 0.00 Southern blue whiting 0.3 0.00 Splendor escolor 0.0 0.1 0.00 Squids 0.2 4.8 0.7 0.00 Striped rockcod 1.5 0.00 Yellowfin notothen 66971.0 0.1 94436.8 5.75 Antarctic Krill 50.0 0.00 Unidentified saltwater bony fish 156.0 0.01 Grey rockcod 23655.4 5.7 0.84 Dusky rockcod 0.5 0.00 Smalleye moray cod 4.8 0.00 Octopus spp. 0.9 0.00 Dragonfish spp. 0.1 0.00 Snailfish 0.1 0.00 Feather stars and sea lilies 0.1 0.00 eelpouts 0.1 0.00 Black rockcod 17.4 0.00 Crocodile icefishes 0.2 0.00

To be considered a ‘main’ species, bycatches must equal or exceed 5% of the total catch. According to this criterion, only the yellowfin notothen (Patagonotothen guntheri) would be considered a main species. The only other species exceeding 0.1% of the catch are South Georgia icefish and grey rockcod. A preliminary assessment of yellow-fin notothen has been carried out (Earl et al 2015), indicating a biomass of 78k t from the 2015 groundfish survey. Median estimates of exploitation rates have been less than 0.2% (except 0.8% in 2002). Applying the icefish harvest control rule would indicate sustainable catch limits of 2,497 t in 2015/16 and 1,089 t in 2016/17 – far in excess of recent observed catches. This species is also protected by the 12nm closure around Shag Rocks.

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Catch limits (based on levels considered by CCAMLR SC to be precautionary) are set for some of these species (Conservation Measure 33-01 (1995) Limitation of the by-catch of Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus, Notothenia rossii and Lepidonotothen squamifrons in Statistical Subarea 48.3, https://www.ccamlr.org/en/measure-33-01-1995) (Table 3.6).

Table 3.6 Catch limits of by-catch for selected species in statistical sub-area 48.3 Limit Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) 1 470 t Marbled rockcod (Notothenia rossii) 300 t Grey rockcod (Lepidonotothen squamifrons) 300 t South Georgia icefish (Pseudpchaenichthys georgianus) 300 t Blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus) 2 200 t

The catch of none of these species has approached its limit. Move-on rules are also specified for incidental catches (Conservation Measure 42-01 (2014) Limits on the fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 2014/15 season) which requires:  The fishery shall be conducted by vessels using pelagic trawls only.  Fishing is prohibited within 12 nm of the coast of South Georgia during the period 1 March to 31 May.  If more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240 mm total length, the fishing vessel shall move at least 5 n miles distant and not return to within 5 n miles for a period of at least five days  If the by-catch in any one haul of any of the species named in Conservation Measure 33-01 is greater than 100 kg and exceeds 5% of the total catch of all fish by weight, or is equal to, or greater than, 2 tonnes, then the fishing vessel shall move at least 5 n miles distant and not return to within 5 nm for at least five days In addition, GSGSSI license conditions specify that the bycatch of P. guntheri is limited to 100 t (Icefish Licence 2014/15); once this limit is reached the area west of 40oW (Shag Rocks where most catches of this species are made, Collins et al 2008) is closed to the icefish fishery. Groundfish surveys have been undertaken on a roughly biennial basis since the late 1980s (annually from 2006-2011), to provide estimates of standing stock and size/age structure of mackerel icefish, pre-recruit toothfish and abundance of non-target species as well as information on diet etc. Results of surveys have been compared over the period 1986 to 2013 (Belchier 2013). These show no detectable change in species composition; changes in the relative abundances of species were observed, but for the five most abundant species there were no consistent trends between species. The latest survey was carried out in 2015. Compared with 2013, N rossii has increased threefold with an estimated biomass of 71 497 t; C aceratus population appears to have reduced; P georgianus population was estimated at 7 511 t, lower than in 2013; P guntheri dominated catches at Shag Rocks, with single hauls of 5.2 t. Studies of biology and ecology have been conducted on some species, notably South Georgia icefish (Clarke et al 2008), yellow-fin notothen (Collins et al 200) and Blackfin icefish (Reid et al 2007).

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3.4.3 Endangered, threatened or protected (ETP) species

ETP species are defined as those listed in national legislation and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The only species listed in CITES Appendix I that this fishery may interact with is the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus. Other species of marine mammal and seabird species are protected under GSGSSI legislation. The fishery is subject to 100% observer coverage. Statistics for interactions with ETP species used here are taken from observer data. Seabirds The total South Georgia bird breeding population is thought to exceed 30 million breeding pairs. In global term South Georgia is the most important breeding site for Grey-headed albatrosses and white-chinned petrels, and the world’s third most important site for wandering albatrosses and black browed albatrosses (Poncet, 2005). Species listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) which breed at South Georgia are wandering albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, grey- headed albatross, black-browed albatross, southern giant petrel, northern giant petrel and white-chinned petrel. Populations of these are routinely monitored (Wolfaardt 2010). Preliminary results of the 2015 Wandering Albatross Survey show that the Wandering Albatross numbers continue to decline around South Georgia. No wandering albatross mortality is associated with vessels licenced to fish in the South Georgia Maritime http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28h%29South_Georgia_Newsletter%2C_April_2015. Both black-browed and grey-headed albatross have continued to decline, as with wandering albatross this decline is not attributed to activities in the SG Maritime Zone. Penguin populations do not interact with the fishery, with interactions further limited by the 12nm limit from coast and islands, and no penguins are dependent on icefish as a prey source. Several years’ data are available on incidental mortalities of grey-headed and black-browed albatross and white-chinned petrel (Table 3.7).

Table 3.7 Average mortalities for grey-headed and black-browed albatross and white-chinned petrel from 2010 to 2014 (with an average of 54 trawls observed per annum) Species Mortalities Grey-headed albatross None Black-browed albatross None White-chinned petrel 0.4 Other 0.2

CCAMLR Conservation Measure (CM) 42-01 specifies that the operation of this fishery shall be carried out in accordance with CM25-03 so as to minimise the incidental mortality of seabirds in the course of the fishery. Vessels shall also use net binding and consider adding weight to the cod-end to reduce seabird captures during shooting operations.

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Should any vessel catch a total of 20 seabirds, it shall cease fishing and shall be excluded from further participation in the fishery in the season.

Conservation Measure 25-03 (2011) Minimisation of the incidental mortality of seabirds and marine mammals in the course of trawl fishing specifies:  The use of net monitor cables on vessels in the CAMLR Convention Area is prohibited.  Vessels must minimise illumination directed out from the vessel  Discharge of offal and discards is prohibited during shooting and hauling of trawl gear.  Nets should be cleaned prior to shooting to remove items that might attract birds  Vessels minimise the time that the net is lying on the surface of the water with the meshes slack and net maintenance should not be carried out with the net in the water.  Vessels should develop gear configurations that minimise the chance of birds encountering the parts of the net to which they are most vulnerable. GSGSSI licensing conditions require a detailed description of mitigation measures with each application (GSGSSI 2014). Data on interactions demonstrates the success of the measures employed.

Marine mammals Several species of pinniped and cetacean occur around South Georgia. The Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals includes a number of cetaceans that occur around South Georgia (sperm whales, sei whales, blue whales, humpback whale and southern right whales). Precise numbers are difficult to determine, although orca and sperm whale are monitored in relation to the toothfish fishery. The British Antarctic Survey monitors higher predators, including fur seals around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA protects marine predators from the impacts of fishing as there is a 12nm closed area around South Georgia and Shag Rocks (rookery locations). There are no reported direct interactions of the fishery with marine mammals. Fur seals are known to take icefish, although krill is their main prey source.

3.4.4 Habitats

The general features of the South Georgia area have been identified, principally through a combination of bathymetric mapping (Belchier and Fretwell, 2009) and observations of seabed fauna that is occasionally caught in the fishing gear. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has compiled a bathymetric map of the seabed around South Georgia, using data gathered from research vessels (see Figure below). GSGSSI has used observer data to provide additional information on the distribution of marine habitats, and in particular Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) around South Georgia.

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Figure 3.5 Bathymetry of the seabed around South Georgia derived from swath bathymetric surveys [Source: BAS, 2014].

In February 2012 the GSGSSI announced the creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering the GSGSSI maritime zone north of 60°S (GSGSSI, 2012a). This created a 1.07 million km2 MPA Within this area a number of No Take Zones were established, covering 20,341km2. Further measures were introduced in June 2013 which included a ban on bottom fishing in waters deeper than 2,250m; the creation of some benthic closed areas in the depths fished for toothfish; and also the seasonal closure of the krill fishery. All icefish fishing operations must be in accordance with the SGSSI MPA Order and Management Plan. This includes that no fishing, unless requested by GSGSSI for research purposes, shall take place within the no take zones of the South Georgia Marine Protected Area (i.e. within 12 nm of South Georgia, Shag Rocks, Black Rock or Clerke Rocks). The icefish fishery is entirely pelagic, skippers are under strict instructions to avoid contact with seabed (any contacts are to be reported immediately) – assisted by net sensors, echosounders etc.

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Figure 3.6 Map showing the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area with additional benthic and pelagic closed areas that were established in 2012. [Source: GSGSSI, 2012]

3.5 Principle Three: Management system background

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a UK Overseas Territory. There is no indigenous population, and no permanent population. Staff from the British Antarctic Survey and from the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) are based at the administrative centre at King Edward Point on South Georgia.

SGSSI is administered by the Commissioner, a post that is held by the Governor of the Falkland Islands, on behalf of the Queen. The GSGSSI Chief Executive Officer deals with policy matters, and is also the Director of Fisheries, legally responsible for the allocation of quotas and fishing licences. Other GSGSSI staff include an Operations Director, Marine Environment and Fisheries Manager, Environment Officer, Legal Advisor, and part-time Administration Officer.

The Fisheries Ordinance 2000 (amended in 2005) sets out formal mechanisms for addressing disputes, and also the scale of penalties that might result from a breach of fisheries regulations. Legal disputes are addressed in the Falkland Islands by a resident Senior Magistrate and a non-resident Chief Justice.

3.5.1 Administrative boundaries

The administrative boundaries for the SGSSI fisheries are the 200-mile maritime zone (MZ) extending from South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Exclusive management

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jurisdiction is exercised within that boundary. All vessels fishing within those boundaries are considered to be subject to all administrative and management regulations implemented by the Director of Fisheries for South Georgia (and SSI). Surveillance and enforcement by SGSSI authorities is exercised fully within those boundaries as well.

3.5.2 Sovereignty

The assessment team note that UK sovereignty over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is disputed by Argentina. This dispute does not materially affect the management of the fishery, which is conducted in accordance with international (CCAMLR) regulations that are independent of the sovereignty of SGSSI. The sovereignty dispute does not have any direct bearing on the status of the fishery with respect to MSC certification; and equally MSC assessment is carried out independent of sovereignty claims (providing of course that the fishery and its management meets the MSC Certification Requirements).

3.5.3 CCAMLR

All of the SGSSI Maritime Zone falls within the boundaries of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR), conservation measures for which are set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), a multinational organisation. Although the Maritime Zone covers three CCAMLR statistical subareas, the entire catch for this fishery comes from within only one: subarea 48.3.

The CAMLR convention was adopted in 1980 and entered into force in 1982. Currently 24 members have subscribed to the Commission (the executive body), including the European Community. The aim of the Convention is the conservation of Antarctic marine life. Conservation is defined to include rational use, although there is no activity directed at management of seals and whales as harvestable resources, these being covered by other conventions. Fisheries management in South Georgia waters is therefore based directly on the annual scientific advice and recommended management measures of CCAMLR.

As an Overseas Territory of the UK, GSGSSI has no formal direct contact with CCAMLR, but is represented at CCAMLR by the Polar Regions Section of the Overseas Territories Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK. Enforcement is conducted by the GSGSSI patrol vessel “Pharos SG”, operating consistent with CCAMLR standards and procedures. GSGSSI puts into effect the conservation measures set by CCAMLR, which is advised by its Scientific Committee (SC-CCAMLR), which is in turn advised by its Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment. Some conservation measures are aimed at preservation of the target stock while others are aimed at the reduction of direct or incidental impacts on other species. Conservation measures for target species of fisheries include the setting of annual Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for each species according to individual sub-areas.

3.5.4 Administration of the fishery

The administration of the fishery by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is briefly described in the sections below.

3.5.5 Licensing of fishing vessels

Fishing by any means within the SGSSI Marine Protected Area is only permissible under the authority of a licence issued by the GSGSSI. The number of licences issued is restricted and adjusted in response to changes in stock status and CCAMLR management advice. Licences are issued in accordance with strict administrative criteria, set out in documentation issued to

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applicants by the GSGSSI (GSGSSI, 2015a). Some of the key licensing criteria are summarised below:-

 Licences are only issued to vessels from Flag States that are signatories to the CAMLR Convention, have an IMO number, have a tamperproof VMS, and comply with the Torremolinos protocol for the safety of fishing vessels.  Vessels are required to pay a licence fee consisting of an access fee and a quota fee. For the 2015/16 fishing season the access fee was UK£23,604 (payable at least 7 days before the intended start of fishing) and the quota fee was £71 per tonne of quota (payable within 2 weeks of the award of a licence (GSGSSI, 2015a)  Vessels must have accommodation available for the independent fishery observer.  The Director of Fisheries will rank applications on the basis of their track record of compliance with regulation; safety of the vessel; catch efficiency; experience of the vessel owners, operators and charterers; and the extent to which the vessel is likely to contribute to raising standards in the fishery.

All vessels are required to report to the Government Officer at King Edwards Point (KEP) on South Georgia for a pre-season licensing inspection before being issued with a licence and beginning any fishing. These inspections are carried out before the start of the fishing season.

A quota is allocated with each fishing licence. This quota must not be exceeded. Quota is not transferable between vessels.

In 2013, following consultation with stakeholders, the GSGSSI altered the duration of licences for both the icefish and toothfish fisheries from annual to biennial. This change was made in order to align the licensing period more closely with the cycle of TAC advice issued by CCAMLR. The regime retains the facility to adjust and manage fishing activity in response to changes in stock status or bycatch issues within any licensing periods, so the level of precaution in management of the fishery has not been affected by this administrative change (GSGSSI, 2013b).

The fishing licences issued by the GSGSSI provide a legal and administrative mechanism for implementing and enforcing CCAMLR requirements. As well as providing the means to ensure that fishery removals are consistent with the TAC agreed by CCAMLR through quota allocations to individual vessels, the fishing licences also require vessels to adhere to CCAMLR Conservation Measures (CMs) and in particular to those relating to incidental mortality of seabirds and the capture of non-target species. The total seabird mortality limit set in the fishing licences is a total of 20 seabirds for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 season and vessels are required to use net binding and weights to minimise interactions (implementing CCAMLR CM 42-01 and described in section 3.4 of this report). An additional by-catch limit of 100t is also set by the GSGSSI for the yellowfin notothen (Patagonotothen guntheri) around Shag Rocks. If this limit is exceeded, the icefish fishery west of Shag Rocks will be closed for the remainder of the fishing season.

3.5.6 Fishery Management objectives

Long term objectives for the management and administration of the fishery are set out in documents from both the GSGSSI and also in the CAMLR Convention.

The overall objective of the CAMLR Convention is set out in Article II:-

Article II

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1. The objective of this Convention is the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

2. For the purposes of this Convention, the term ‘conservation’ includes rational use.

3. Any harvesting and associated activities in the area to which this Convention applies shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and with the following principles of conservation:

(a) prevention of decrease in the size of any harvested population to levels below those which ensure its stable recruitment. For this purpose its size should not be allowed to fall below a level close to that which ensures the greatest net annual increment;

(b) maintenance of the ecological relationships between harvested, dependent and related populations of Antarctic marine living resources and the restoration of depleted populations to the levels defined in sub-paragraph (a) above; and

(c) prevention of changes or minimisation of the risk of changes in the marine ecosystem which are not potentially reversible over two or three decades, taking into account the state of available knowledge of the direct and indirect impact of harvesting, the effect of the introduction of alien species, the effects of associated activities on the marine ecosystem and of the effects of environmental changes, with the aim of making possible the sustained conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

[Source: CAMLR, 1980]

South Georgia is located within the CAMLR zone, and the UK Government is a signatory to the CAMLR Convention. This commitment is made directly applicable to the activities of the GSGSSI through the Environment Charter of 2001 (GSGSSI, 2001).

Management objectives that guide the actions of the Government of South Georgia were set out in the “South Georgia & South Sandwich Island Strategy 2010-2015” (GSGSSI, 2010) which has subsequently been updated following public consultation during 2015 to set out the strategy for the next 5 years in the “South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020” (GSGSSI, 2015b). The new 2016-2020 strategy is shared by both the GSGSSI and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

This 2016-2020 strategy sets out overall objectives for managing the environment of the Islands, their fisheries, tourism, the built environment and cultural heritage, as well as government finances. These strategic objectives for each area of activity have informed more specific objectives for the duration of the Strategy. The hierarchy of GSGSSI objectives for 2016-2020 relevant to the icefish fishery and management of the marine environment are summarised in Table 3.8.

The South Georgia Government’s strategic objectives have been transposed into actions for the fishery through the setting of appropriate management controls in line with the specific objectives for management of the stock and also proposals for protection of marine habitats and species .

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The process of developing the South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Strategy demonstrates that the management system actively engages with stakeholders and takes account of their views. Stakeholders and interested parties were issued with a consultation draft of the revised strategy in April 2015 (GSGSSI, 2015c), and given a period of 3 months to respond to the proposals. Responses were received from a wide range of stakeholders (these responses are available for scrutiny on the GSGSSI website (GSGSSI, 2015d)) and the draft strategy revised where appropriate in response to these comments.

Table 3.8: Summary of South Georgia Government and UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Objectives relevant to the management of the icefish fishery [Source: GSGSSI, 2016].

Level Objective

Fisheries objectives Strategic  To manage SGSSI fisheries to the highest international standards of operation, stewardship and sustainability. Key Objectives  Manage SGSSI fisheries in a precautionary manner, to the highest international standards and consistent with all CCAMLR requirements, to ensure long-term sustainability.  Collaborate with stakeholders to develop fishery management plans to guide our management and research, with clear and transparent policy and updated fisheries legislation.  Establish arrangements for monitoring and assessing the performance of the MPA to provide evidence for future management decisions in the context of the MPA review in 2018.  Continue raising standards in the fisheries and ensure best practice is adopted, including by developing a plan to phase out heavy fuel, restricting bunkering activity, and introducing a minimum ice-classification standard in the toothfish fishery.  Support the UK delegation to CCAMLR to represent SGSSI’s interests and seek the highest standards of marine management and conservation in the Scotia Sea and wider Southern Ocean.  Improve public awareness about the high standards and sustainability of SGSSI fisheries, and enhance two-way knowledge and best practice information sharing with other fisheries.  Maintain a strong, enforceable policy on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) vessels, deterring IUU activity through fishery patrolling while exploring scope for additional remote sensing options. Mackerel Icefish  The volatility of the mackerel icefish stock and its availability to the fishery is an issue for both industry and management. Latest stock estimates suggest that the current level of exploitation has a negligible impact on the stock, with fishing mortality being a small fraction of predicted natural mortality. To enhance our management of this fishery we will work with the industry and stakeholders to develop a

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better understanding of biomass estimates and the determining factors that influence population dynamics. We will support industry in continuing the MSC certification of this fishery.

Environmental objectives Strategic  To conserve the Territory’s environment, minimise human impacts and, where practicable, restore the native biodiversity and habitats. Key Objectives  Integrate principles of environmental sustainability into Government policies and ensure that environmental management practices are fully transparent and conform to, or exceed, global standards.  Increase SGSSI’s environmental global reach though collaboration and knowledge sharing with our stakeholders including the UK and other UK Overseas Territory governments and non-governmental organisations.  Ensure that our obligations under multilateral environmental agreements are met.  Develop standardised environmental assessment procedures which are scalable and commensurate with the potential impact the activity may have on the environment.  Enhance knowledge of the biodiversity and habitats of SGSSI through research, monitoring and review, including to establish scientific baselines from which to assess environmental change including the potential effects of climate change.  Effectively manage invasive alien species and work along the entire biosecurity continuum to implement best practice biosecurity protocols, post-border monitoring and emergency response measures.  Adopting an evidence-based approach and using the best available data, ensure appropriate protection of the terrestrial and marine environments through a suite of protected areas, ensuring that activities are managed sustainably and with minimal impacts on the environment.  Understand and, where possible, mitigate the risks from substances that have the potential to harm the environment such as heavy fuel oil and pollutants present in old whaling stations.

3.5.7 Incentives for sustainable fishing

The GSGSSI has established both incentives to fish sustainably and disincentives (penalties) for any unsustainable fishing activities that are detected.

Incentives to fish sustainably are provided by the licensing regime for the fishery, which favours applicants with a good track record of compliance with all regulations in place to sustain the icefish stock and to protect the marine environment.

Penalties for unsustainable fishing are provided in the Fisheries (Conservation and

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Management) Ordinance 2000. This legislation provides the GSGSSI with the power to take action against any vessels that breach fisheries regulations and licence conditions or fish illegally in the South Georgia Maritime Zone. The Fisheries Ordinance enables the GSGSSI to seize and confiscate fishing vessels, gear and catches, and to fine operators up to UK£250,000.

3.5.8 Compliance monitoring

Compliance with fisheries regulations and licence conditions is monitored by the GSGSSI. Fishery protection officers (which include any UK military personnel in the SGMZ) are empowered to board and inspect fishing vessels and instigate enforcement action (such as the seizure of catch, fishing gear and vessels).

All icefish trawl vessels are required to carry a CCAMLR fishery observer, who monitors the catch and compliance with CCAMLR regulations (CCAMLR, 2011). Vessels are required to report when they are due to start and end fishing in the SGMZ, and whilst fishing are required to make daily reports of their activities to the GSGSSI (at King Edward Point). All vessels are also required to carry VMS and AIS equipment to report their position, both to CCAMLR (via their flag-state) and to the GSGSSI.

The GSGSSI fishery patrol vessel, Pharos SG, carries out extensive patrols in the area. Since the vessel came into service in 2006 it has spent between 223 and 249 days per year on patrol in CCAMLR Sub Area 48.3.

Records of compliance monitoring findings have been provided to the assessment team by the GSGSSI. These provide evidence of both the operation of the compliance monitoring system and a good level of compliance with regulations. Only one breach of licence conditions was detected in the icefish fishery 2015, when the AIS tracks for one vessel indicated that it had fished inside an MPA area (on investigation this was found to be a result of an on-board electronic chart error).

The GSGSSI is constantly vigilant for signs of IUU fishing in the area. In the mid-late 1990s IUU fishing was a major concern in SGMZ. The compliance and enforcement regime that has been established by the GSGSSI and CCAMLR has eliminated IUU fishing in the area. The last IUU vessel detected in the area was the longline fishing vessel Elqui, which was apprehended in 2006, seized and subsequently scuttled off the Falkland Islands by the GSGSSI.

3.5.9 Research

The strategic research priorities for the fishery and the marine environment are set out in the GSGSSI 2006 publication “South Georgia: Plan for Progress”. There is a triennial research plan in place for the icefish fishery which is reviewed annually (GSGSSI, 2015). The research priorities for the current (2015-2018) research plan are: icefish stock assessment methods; the assessment of stock status and appropriate by-catch limits for the yellowfin notothen (Patagonotothen guntheri); assessment of stock status of other by-catch species; monitoring of icefish diet; monitoring of icefish larval abundance; monitoring icefish and krill predators (Gentoo penguins and fur seals); and medium term changes in fish communities at South Georgia and Shag Rocks.

Fish stock assessment work is carried out for the GSGSSI by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and environmental monitoring work is carried out by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) at King Edward Point on South Georgia.

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The findings of research work commissioned by GSGSSI are reported in publications on the GSGSSI website. These include environmental and fisheries monitoring work. A summary of progress is presented in the GSGSSI Annual Plan, and is reported at the GSGSSI Fisheries- Science workshop held in London every year. Much of the research carried out in the area is also published in peer-reviewed journals which brings it to a wide audience and is testament to the quality of the research carried out in the area.

3.5.10 Monitoring & evaluation of management performance

The administration of the fishery by the GSGSSI is subject to regular scrutiny at the annual CCAMLR Scientific Committee meetings, which consider recent landings and stock assessment data before advising on future management action for the fishery. This provides the fishery with a regular system for external review of management performance with respect to the stock, non-target species, and ETP species.

During 2014 the GSGSSI commissioned two independent experts to subject the management system for the South Georgia Toothfish fishery to an external review. This review examined the management of the target stock, the marine environment, and also the system of governance for the fishery (Hanchet & Welsford, 2014). Although most aspects of that review were specific to the stock status and environmental impacts of the toothfish longline fishery, its findings for the system of governance are directly relevant to the icefish trawl fishery, which is subject to identical legal, administrative, institutional and judicial arrangements. It therefore serves as an external review of the performance of the management system for the icefish trawl fishery. The only recommendations that the report made with respect to the management system were to provide better documentation of administrative processes in order to mitigate the risk of corporate knowledge being lost with changes in key staff and to assist prioritizing research. There is evidence (for instance from the 2015-18 research plan for the icefish fishery) that these recommendations are being addressed.

The performance of the management system has also been subject to ad hoc scrutiny through Judicial Review proceedings that were brought against the GSGSSI by fishing vessel operators in the toothfish fishery. These actions resulted from certain operators being refused licences to fish for toothfish. In each case, the Courts have upheld the actions taken by the GSGSSI, indicating that the management system has operated objectively and in accordance with the requirements of good governance.

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4 Evaluation Procedure

4.1 Harmonised Fishery Assessment

No other fisheries overlap with this. There are no other fisheries in the vicinity, not subject to the certification, that may interact with the fishery being assessed. Other fisheries in 48.3 are krill and toothfish, both entirely discrete from the icefish fishery

4.2 Previous assessments

Assessment Name South Georgia icefish trawl fishery, Moody Marine Ltd, 2010

Conclusions reached The Determination reached by the certification body Moody Marine Ltd is that the South Georgia Icefish Trawl Fishery SHOULD be certified according to the MSC Principles and Criteria. Four conditions were raised in the assessment.

Table 4.1: Summary of Previous Assessment Conditions

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Condition PI(s) Year Justification closed Condition 1. Establish a 1.1.1.5 2013 There were adequate indices of recruitment and robust index of spawning spawning stock which are estimated and used biomass within the management decision-making. There are sufficient years of data available to establish a general relationship between stock and recruitment, in this case showing recruitment is not impacted by current exploitation levels. Condition 2. Address 1.1.1.6 2013 A fishery independent index is available on the uncertainties in the survey abundance, density and distribution of the stock. index to ensure robustness for The uncertainties have been analysed and the stock assessment survey provides a consistent index of biomass trends for the main fished cohorts. Indices are suitable to provide a high degree of confidence in the evaluation of stock abundance trends within the current precautionary harvest strategy. Condition 3. Establish 1.1.3.1 2014 It was accepted that a biomass-proxy limit biomass limit with a biological reference point based on the survey is rationale appropriate. Importantly, the proposed reference point has been shown to account fully for known uncertainties in data and survey. Furthermore, the exploitation of the stock has been very light and was zero in 2014, which has delayed further development of the harvest strategy. Therefore, the fishery meets SG80. Condition 4. Test the current 1.1.4.2 2011 CCAMLR rules were tested in a simulation and future decision rules study, which showed that the harvest control against plausible states of rules were robust and had little negative impact nature on the stocks over the scenarios considered. It was also noted in 2013 that a Darby et al. (2013) article provided further assessment of the survey index and the harvest control rule and confirmed that it was precautionary, as expected, and that the fishery has little impact on the stock.

4.3 Assessment Methodologies

Requirements

This fishery was assessed using the standard requirements defined within the MSC Certification Requirements (CR) v1.3 and the process requirements defined within the MSC Fishery Certification Requirements (FCR) v2.0. Reporting Template

All reports for this fishery assessment have been produced using the MSC Full Assessment Reporting Template v2.0. Assessment Tree

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The Assessment Tree used was the Default Tree as set out in MSC CR v1.3, January 2013. 4.4 Evaluation Processes and Techniques

4.4.1 Site Visits

Table 4.2: Site visit details Date/s Location/s Participants Activities 22/9/15 FCO, London, UK GSGSSI, FCO, BAS, GSGSSI SG Fishery Science and Industry CEFAS, most fishery Meeting – an opportunity for managers, operatives in South scientists, fishers and other stakeholders to Georgia – icefish, discuss developments in SG fisheries. toothfish and krill. 24/9/15 Falkland Islands Alex Reid, Director, Meeting with client, scientists and current and Government Polar Ltd previous managers involved with fishery. Office, London, Tim Earl, CEFAS UK. Paul Brewin, GSGSSI Fisheries Mark Belchier, BAS Biologist Chris Darby, CEFAS Katherine Ross, GSGSSI Martin Collins, Consultant to GSGSSI Note: this does not include meetings held, which are detailed below

4.4.2 Consultations

Table 4.3: Stakeholder consultations Name/s Organisation Information obtained Alex Reid, Director, Polar Ltd Full description of operation and management of the Tim Earl, CEFAS fishery, and science underpinning management. Paul Brewin, GSGSSI Fisheries Particular issues discussed include: Mark Belchier, BAS Biologist Timeline of management changes and development Chris Darby, CEFAS of SG strategy Katherine Ross, GSGSSI Any changes in traceability Martin Collins, Consultant to GSGSSI Confirmation of LRP operation Bycatch limits and long-term trends in trawl survey Benthic interactions Bird avoidance mitigation measures

4.4.3 Evaluation Techniques

Public announcements were made by direct email to known stakeholders and through MSC website and separate emailing lists. Information on the fishery was obtained through an extensive published and grey literature base, provided by the client and GSGSSI. This was supplemented by a combined stakeholder meeting with the client, managers and scientists which allowed all aspects of the fishery to be discussed freely and openly; this provided an opportunity for the assessment team to clarify any points on the operation of the fishery.

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Following drafting of scoring rationales by team experts, scoring was then carried out by group consensus. The certification recommendation is based on no PI scoring below 60 and no Principle having an aggregate score below 80.

Table 4.4: Scoring elements Component Scoring elements Main/Not main Data-deficient or not Species under MSC certification Mackerel icefish P1 Target Species Main Not data deficient Other Retained Species Antarctic armless P2 Retained Species Not main Data deficient flounder Blackfin icefish P2 Retained Species Not main Data deficient Marbled rockcod P2 Retained Species Not main Data deficient Patagonian toothfish P2 Retained Species Not main Not data deficient Raja georgiana P2 Retained Species Not main Data deficient South Georgia icefish P2 Retained Species Not main Data deficient Bycatch: Discards/slipped species Bathydraconidae P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Humped rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Jellyfish P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Lanternfish P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Moray cods P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Painted rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Skates and rays P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Snake mackerels, P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient escolars nei Southern blue whiting P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Splendor escolar P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Squids P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Striped rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Yellowfin notothen P2 Bycatch Species Main Not data deficient Antarctic Krill P2 Bycatch Species Not main Not data deficient Unidentified saltwater P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient bony fish

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Grey rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Dusky rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Smalleye moray cod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Octopus spp. P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Dragonfish spp. P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Snailfish P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Feather stars and sea P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient lilies Eelpouts P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Black rockcod P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient Crocodile icefishes P2 Bycatch Species Not main Data deficient

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5 Traceability

5.1 Eligibility Date

th Eligibility date: 30 August 2016.

Rationale for choosing eligibility date The current certificate expires 31 August 2016 (due to variation for certificate extension granted by the MSC). The eligibility date is expected to coincide with the release of the PCR and recertification of the fishery.

5.2 Traceability within the Fishery

Below is a description of factors that may lead to risks of non-certified fish or fish products being mixed with certified fish or fish products prior to entering the Chain of Custody.

Table 5.1: Traceability Factors within the Fishery Traceability Factor Description of risk factor if present. Where applicable, a description of relevant mitigation measures or traceability systems (this can include the role of existing regulatory or fishery management controls) Potential for non-certified gear/s to be Extremely low. 100% observer coverage and strict enforcement used within the fishery prevents use of non-compliant gear.

Potential for vessels from the UoC to Extremely low. Aggregations of icefish are present around SG fish outside the UoC or in different and observers, VMS etc prevent fishing elsewhere. geographical areas (on the same trips or different trips)

Potential for vessels outside of the UoC Other vessels are licensed to fish, but are currently outside the or client group fishing the same stock UoC. Traceability mechanisms prevent mixing, as discussed below.

Risks of mixing between certified and Extremely low. Fish caught within UoC are separately non-certified catch during storage, transported, stored and containerised. transport, or handling activities (including transport at sea and on land, points of landing, and sales at auction)

Risks of mixing between certified and Extremely low. Icefish is only caught at SG and transported to non-certified catch during processing Falklands for containerisation. Processing is minimal – only activities (at-sea and/or before involving boxing, freezing and labelling. subsequent Chain of Custody)

Risks of mixing between certified and Negligible, no transhipment takes place. non-certified catch during transhipment

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Any other risks of substitution between No other risks identified. fish from the UoC (certified catch) and fish from outside this unit (non-certified catch) before subsequent Chain of Custody is required

5.2.1 Tracking, tracing and segregation systems within the fishery

Certified South Georgia Icefish can currently only be caught by fishing boats operated by Polar Ltd (f/v Sil, f/v New Polar and f/v Robin M Lee) and from the waters of South Georgia as prescribed in this certification report. Polar Ltd do not handle/trade Icefish that are caught outside of the certified fishery. MFV Sil, New Polar and Robin M Lee do not fish for Icefish in any other Icefish fishery, certified or non-certified. Product is caught, boxed and frozen, with clear labelling of product, date and code. It is landed into Stanley and containerised prior to secure transport to customer. 5.2.2 Management systems related to traceability

Vessels are inspected prior to fishing at KEP by GSGSSI officials. Fishing activities are monitored by 100% observer coverage and VMS etc. Landings are monitored at Stanley.

5.3 Eligibility to Enter Further Chains of Custody

Upon review of all traceability systems within the fishery that pertain to the scope of potential assessment, it is the considered position of the assessment team that product will be eligible to enter further certified chains of custody and - when certified - will be eligible to be sold as MSC certified and/or carry the MSC ecolabel.

5.3.1 Parties eligible to use the fishery certificate

Fishing Operators are Polar Ltd. Polar Ltd operate three vessels in the fishery. These are f/v Sil, f/v New Polar and f/v Robin M Lee. At present there are no other entrants in the fishery. If new entrant were to be licenced to join the fishery, Polar is willing to discuss with the operators the possibility of allowing them to join the UoC. The UoA therefore includes all fishers licensed within the GSGSSI fishery. Polar Ltd. cannot currently identify any fishing operators who might join the fishery in 2016 (to- date Polar Ltd. is the only licenced icefish operator in 2015) and therefore would therefore be eligible to join the certification at this stage. However, should another operator enter the GSGSSI licenced South Georgia icefish fishery in the future Polar Ltd. would welcome their inclusion in the MSC Unit of Certification and would facilitate this wherever possible and as long as a mutual agreement on cost sharing and compliance can be reached. Should another company be included within the UoC, then the CAB would need to consider the traceability factors in FCR 7.12 in relation to them, to confirm that product from the additional company(s) was eligible to enter further Chain of Custody..

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5.3.2 Change of ownership

The intended change of point of ownership of the product under assessment is the point of first sale. At this point, boxed, frozen and labelled product is containerised and dispatched to customer. From this point onwards, Chain of Custody certification will be required for any party taking ownership of the product in any form other than consumer-ready tamper proof packaging.

5.3.3 Landing points

Eligible landing points are Stanley, Falkland Islands

5.3.4 Eligibility of Inseparable or Practicably Inseparable (IPI) stock(s) to Enter Further Chains of Custody

No IPI stocks are involved.

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6 Evaluation Results

6.1 Principle Level Scores

Table 6.1: Final Principle Scores Final Principle Scores Principle Score

Principle 1 – Target Species 90.6 Principle 2 – Ecosystem 96.0 Principle 3 – Management System 97.0

6.2 Summary of PI Level Scores

Prin- Wt Component Wt PI No. Performance Indicator (PI) ciple (L1) (L2) UoC 1

One 1 Outcome 0.5 1.1.1 Stock status 80 1.1.2 Reference points 90 1.1.3 Stock rebuilding NA Management 0.5 1.2.1 Harvest strategy 100 1.2.2 Harvest control rules & tools 100 1.2.3 Information & monitoring 100 1.2.4 Assessment of stock status 85 Two 1 Retained 0.2 2.1.1 Outcome 80 species 2.1.2 Management 100 2.1.3 Information 100 Bycatch 0.2 2.2.1 Outcome 80 2.2.2 Management 100 2.2.3 Information 100 ETP species 0.2 2.3.1 Outcome 95 2.3.2 Management 100 2.3.3 Information 100 Habitats 0.2 2.4.1 Outcome 100 2.4.2 Management 100 2.4.3 Information 85 Trophic function 0.2 2.5.1 Outcome 100 2.5.2 Management 100 2.5.3 Information 100 Three 1 Governance 0.5 3.1.1 Legal & customary framework 100 and policy 3.1.2 Consultation, roles & 100 3.1.3 Longresponsibilities term objectives 100 3.1.4 Incentives for sustainable fishing 100 Fishery specific 0.5 3.2.1 Fishery specific objectives 100 management 3.2.2 Decision making processes 100 system 3.2.3 Compliance & enforcement 100 3.2.4 Research plan 80 3.2.5 Management performance 90 evaluation

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6.3 Summary of Conditions

No Conditions are required.

6.4 Recommendations

None 6.5 Determination, Formal Conclusion and Agreement

After full assessment against the MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing, it has been determined by Acoura Marine’s expert assessment team that the South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl Fishery should be certified. Following review of this decision, and of the process followed by all parties involved, Acoura Marine are in full agreement with this determination of the assessment team and confirm that the South Georgia Icefish Pelagic Trawl Fishery be certified against the MSC’s Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing, as defined by the content of this Public Certification Report and by the certificate issued in accordance with MSC Certification Requirements. (for PCR only)

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7 References

Agnew, D. J., Everson, I., Kirkwood, G. P. & Parkes, G. B. (1998). Towards the development of a management plan for the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in subarea 48.3. CCAMLR Science 5, 63–77. Belchier, M and P Fretwell (2009). Revised estimate of the area of the South Georgia and Shag Rocks shelf (CCAMLR subarea 48.3). CCAMLR Science, 16: 167-175. Belchier, M, Gregory, S, Fallon, N, McKenna, J, Hill, S, Soffker, M, Lafite, P, Featherstone, L. (2015). Report of the UK Groundfish Survey at South Georgia (CCAMR sub-Area 48.3) in January 2015. Document submitted to CCAMLR Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment 2015. Belchier, M. 2013. Decadal trends in the South Georgia demersal fish assemblage. WG-FSA- 13/26. Belchier, M., Collins, M. and Clarke, S. (2007). Spawning periods and locations of Champsocephalus gunnari in Subarea 48.3 (South Georgia and Shag Rocks): a review. WG- FSA-07/55. British Antarctic Survey. May 2015. South Georgia groundfish survey 2015. FV New Polar. CAMLR, 1980. Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Available from: http://www.ccamlr.org/en/organisation/camlr-convention-text CCAMLR (2010). Report of the working group on fish stock assessment (WG-FSA) (Hobart, Australia, 11 to 22 October 2010). 121p. CCAMLR (2013). Fishery Report 2013: Champscephalus gunnari, South Georgia (Subarea 48.3). 10p. CCAMLR (2015). Report of the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment (Hobart, Australia, 5 to 16 October 2015). WG-FSA-15. 83p. CCAMLR 2013a. Report of the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment Hobart, Australia, 7 to 18 October 2013. SC-CAMLR-XXXII. Annex 6. CCAMLR 2013b. Report of the Thirty-Second Meeting of the Scientific Committee. Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Hobart, Australia. 21– 25 October 2013. SC-CAMLR-XXXII. CCAMLR 2014. Fishery Report 2014: Champsocephalus gunnari South Georgia (Subarea 48.3). 10pp. Available from: https://www.ccamlr.org/en/document/publications/fishery-report- 2014-champsocephalus-gunnari-south-georgia-subarea-48-3 CCAMLR 2015. Limits on the fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons. 3pp. Available from: https://www.ccamlr.org/en/measure-42-01-2015 CCAMLR, 1986. CONSERVATION MEASURE 31-01 (1986) Regulation of fishing around South Georgia (Statistical Subarea 48.3). Available from: http://www.ccamlr.org/sites/drupal.ccamlr.org/files//31-01.pdf CCAMLR, 1995. CONSERVATION MEASURE 33-01 (1995) Limitation of the by-catch of Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus,

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Notothenia rossii and Lepidonotothen squamifrons in Statistical Subarea 48.3. Available from: http://www.ccamlr.org/sites/drupal.ccamlr.org/files//33-01.pdf CCAMLR, 2006. CONSERVATION MEASURE 32-18 (2006) Conservation of sharks. Available from: http://www.ccamlr.org/sites/drupal.ccamlr.org/files//32-18.pdf CCAMLR, 2011. Scientific Observers Manual (Observation Guidelines and Reference Materials). CCAMLR, Australia. 65pp. Available from https://www.ccamlr.org/en/system/files/obsman.pdf CCAMLR, 2012a. CONSERVATION MEASURE 32-02 (2012) Prohibition of directed fishing. Available from: http://www.ccamlr.org/sites/drupal.ccamlr.org/files//32-02_9.pdf Clarke S., Reid W.D.K., Collins M.A. and Belchier M. (2008) Biology and distribution of South Georgia icefish (Pseudochaenichthys georgianus) around South Georgia and Shag Rocks. Antarct Sci 20: 343-353. Collins, MA, RS Shreeve, S Fielding and M Thurston. 2008. Distribution, growth, diet and foraging behaviour of the yellow-fin notothen Patagonotothen guntheri (Norman) on the Shag Rocks shelf (Southern Ocean). J Fish Biol, 72: 271-286. Constable, A.J. and de la Mare, W.K. (1996). A generalised model for evaluating yield and the long term status of fish stocks under conditions of uncertainty. CCAMLR Science 3: 31-54 Constable, A.J., W.K. de la Mare, D.J. Agnew, I. Everson and D. Miller. (2000). Managing fisheries to conserve the Antarctic marine ecosystem: practical implementation of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Proc. SCOR/ICES Symposium, Montpelier, France, 1999, ICES J. Mar. Sci, 57: 778-791. Darby. C, T. Earl, H. Peat. (2013) An evaluation of the performance of the CCAMLR mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) harvest control rule as applied within CCAMLR Subarea 48.3. CCAMLR working document WG-SAM-13/31 Rev. 1, CCAMLR, Hobart, Australia. de la Mare, W.K., Williams, R. & Constable, A.J. (1998). An assessment of the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) off Heard Island. CCAMLR Science 5. 79-101. Earl, T, C Darby, M Soeffker (In prep). Biomass estimate of yellow-fin notothen Patagonotothen guntheri in the shag Rocks strata of subarea 48.3 based on the 2015 groundfish survey. Earl, T. and Darby, C (2015). Assessment of Mackerel Icefish Champsocephalus gunnari in CCAMLR Statistical Subarea 48.3 based on the 2015 demersal fish survey. WG-FSA- 2015/25. Edwards, C. T. T., Hillary, R., Mitchell, R. E. & Agnew, D. J. (2010b) Comparison of age and length based harvest control rules for the South Georgia icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) fishery. CCAMLR Document, WG-SAM-10/12. Edwards, C. T. T., Mitchell, R. E., Pearce, J. & Agnew, D. J. (2010a) Estimation of the 2011 catch limit for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in sub-area 48.3 using a length based population dynamics model. CCAMLR working document WG-FSA-10/37, CCAMLR, Hobart, Australia. Efron, B., Tibshirami, R.J. (1993) An introduction to the bootstrap. Chapman & Hall, New York. Everson I, Parkes G, Kock KH, Boyd IL (1999) Variation in standing stock of the mackerel icefish Champsocephalus gunnari at South Georgia. J Appl Ecol 36: 591-603

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Everson, I. and Kock, K.H. (2007). Species profile of mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari). WG-FSA-07/12. Fisheries (Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 (No. 1 of 2002). Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Legislation/Fisheries%20(Conservation%20and%20Manage ment)(Amendment)%20Ordinance.pdf Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000. (No. 2 of 2000). Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Legislation/Fisheries%20(Conservation%20and%20Manage ment)%20Ordinance%202000.pdf Fisheries (Conservation and Management)(Amendment) Ordinance 2004 (No: 1 of 2004). Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Legislation/Fisheries%20(Conservation%20and%20Manage ment)(Amendment)%20Ordin%20(1).pdf Fretwell, P.T., Tate, A.J., Martin, T. and Belchier, M. (2009). Compilation of a new bathymetric dataset of South Georgia. Antarctic Science 21, 171-174. Frolkina, Z.H. A. 2002. Distribution and some biological features of icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) at different life cycle stages in the South Georgia Subarea 48.3. CCAMLR Sci. 8, 49- 70. Frolkina, Zh. A. and Kasatkina, S. M. 2001. Possible causes of variation of Champsocephalus gunnari vertical and horizontal distribution. WAMI-01/8. Hobart, Australia: CCAMLR (mimeogr.). Gregory, S, MA Collins, M Belchier (2014). The demersal fish communities of the shelf and slope of South Georgia and Shag Rocks (CCAMLR subarea 48.3). WG-FSA-14/26 GSGSSI (2015). Icefish fishery management system. 3p. GSGSSI (2015). Information for icefish licence holders 2014/15. 9p. GSGSSI 2014. Icefish licensing for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Information for Applicants. GSGSSI, 2001. Environment Charter, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. 1pp. Available from: http://www.ukotcf.org/pdf/charters/sgssi.pdf GSGSSI, 2006. South Georgia Plan for Progress: Managing the Environment, 2006-10 Available from: http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(d)Plan_for_Progress?useskin=edu GSGSSI, 2010. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2010-2015 GSGSSI, 17pp. Available from: http://www.sgisland.gs/download/South%20Georgia%20Strategy%20final.pdf GSGSSI, 2011. Court Dismisses Judicial Review Action Brought Against the Department of Fisheries. Available from: http://www.sgisland.gs/download/Court%20dismisses%20judicial%20review%20action%20b rought%20against%20the%20Director%20of%20Fisheries.docx GSGSSI, 2012a. South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Areas: Existing Protection And Proposals For Further Protection. Consultation Document. October 2012. 15pp. Available from:

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http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Environment/Marine%20Protected%20Area/SGSSI%20MPA %20Consultation%20Oct%202012.pdf GSGSSI, 2012b. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area Management Plan. 57pp. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Environment/Marine%20Protected%20Area/MPA%20Manag ement%20Plan%20v2.0.pdf GSGSSI, 2013a. Annual Report 2013. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Annual%20Reports/GSGSSI%202013%20Annual% 20Report.pdf GSGSSI, 2013b. GSGSSI to implement two-year licensing arrangements for toothfish and icefish fisheries. Available from: http://www.sgisland.gs/download/Long- term%20licences%20announcment.pdf GSGSSI, 2014a. Annual Report 2014. 14pp. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Annual%20Reports/Annual%20report%202014.pdf GSGSSI, 2014d. Review of Toothfish Fisheries Management. Terms of Reference. Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. 2pp. GSGSSI, 2014e. Administrative penalty issued to longline vessel. Notice issued by Director of Fisheries, June 11th 2014. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Press%20Releases/Administrative%20Penalty%20I ssued%20to%20Longline%20Fishing%20Vessel.pdf GSGSSI, 2015a. Icefish licensing for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons. Information for applicants. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Fisheries/Icefish%20Licensing%202015_16%20and%202016 _17%20Information%20for%20Applicants%20.pdf GSGSSI, 2015b. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020. GSGSSI, 24pp. Available from: GSGSSI, 2015c. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020 Consultation letter, April 30th 2015. GSGSSI, 1pp. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Strategy/GSGSSI%20Strategy%20Letter%2030%2 0April%202015.pdf GSGSSI, 2015d. South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Strategy. Stakeholders response to the consultation on the SGSSI Strategy. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/gsgssi/#tab-1420885935-1-95 GSGSSI, 2015e. Icefish Fishery Research Plan 2015-2018 (reviewed annually). 3pp. GSGSSI, 2015f. Annual Report 2014. 14pp. Available from: http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Annual%20Reports/150828%20Annual%20Report %202015%20(Final)%20Compressed.pdf GSGSSI. 2013. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Marine Protected Area. Management Plan. V2.0: 31/8/13. Hanchet, S., & Welsford, D., 2014. Independent expert review of the South Georgia toothfish fishery. Prepared for Martin Collins, Government of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands.

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8pp. Australian Government Department of the Environment Australian Antarctic Division & NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi. Hill, S. L., K. Reid, et al. (2005). Recruitment of mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) at South Georgia indicated by predator diets and its relationship with sea surface temperature. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62, 2530-2537 Hill, S.L., Keeble, K., Atkinson, A. and Murphy, E.J. (2012). A foodweb model to explore uncertainties in the South Georgia shelf pelagic ecosystem. Deep Sea Research II, 59-60, 237-252. Hillary, R., Edwards, C., Mitchell, R. & Agnew, D. J. (2010) Length-based assessment for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in sub-area 48.3. CCAMLR Science 17, 129- 137. Hillary, R., Mitchell, R. E. & Agnew, D. J. (2009) Length-based assessment for mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) in sub-area 48.3. CCAMLR Document, WG-SAM-09/15. http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/GSGSSI/Strategy/Final%20Published%20Strategy%20- %20PDF%20Version.pdf Kock, K. H. and I. Everson (2003). Shedding new light on the life cycle of mackerel icefish in the Southern Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology 63, 1-21 Kock, K.-H. (1989). Reproduction of the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) and its implications for fisheries management in the Atlantic Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. In: Selected Scientific Papers (1989) (SC-CAMLR-SSP/6). CCAMLR, Hobart, Australia: 51-68. Kock, K.-H. (2005). Antarctic icefishes (Channichthyidae): a unique family of fishes. A review, Part 1. Polar Biology 28, 862 – 895 Kochkin, P.N., 1995. On estimates of natural mortality of the mackerel icefish,Champsocephalus gunnari (Channichthyidae), in the South Georgia Island area. J. Ichthyol. 35(7):153-157. Kuhn, K.L. and Gaffey, P.M. (2006). Preliminary assessment of population structure in the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari). Polar Biology 29, 927 – 935 Marine Protected Areas Order 2012. (S.R. & O. No. 1 of 2012). Available from http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Legislation/SGSSI%20Marine%20Protected%20Areas%20Or der%202012.pdf MRAG (2012) Analysis of larval bycatch on the Saga Sea during continuous trawling for krill in CCAMLR Areas 48 between December 2007 and September 2011. MRAG, London. 36 pp. Murphy, E.J., Hofmann, E.E., Watkins, J.L., Johnston, N.M., Pinones, A. and Ballerini, T. (2013). Comparison of the structure and function of Southern Ocean regional ecosystems: The Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. Journal of Marine Systems 109-110,22-42. North, A. W. (2005). Mackerel icefish size and age differences and long-term change at South Georgia and Shag Rocks. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 1666-1685. Penguin News, 2014 South Georgia Toothfish fishery best in world say reviewing scientists in Falklands. 27th June 2014. Available from: http://en.mercopress.com/2014/06/28/south- georgia-toothfish-fishery-best-in-world-say-reviewing-scientists

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Reid K, and Croxall J.P. (2001). Environmental responses of upper trophic-level predators reveals a system change in an Antarctic marine ecosystem. Proc Roy Soc, Lond B (200) 268: 377–384. Reid, K., Hill, S.L., Diniz, T.C.D. and Collins, M.A. (2005). Mackerel icefish Champsocephalus gunnari in the diet of upper trophic level predators at South Georgia: Implications for fisheries management. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 305, 153-161. Reid, WDK, S Clarke, MA Collins and M Belchier (2007). Distribution and ecology of Chaenocephalus aceratus (Channichthidae) around South Georgia and Shag Rocks (Southern Ocean). Polar Biol, 30: 1523-1533. SAERI, 2014. South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute. Website homepage. Available from: http://www.south-atlantic-research.org/ Wildlife and Protected Areas Ordinance 2011 (No. 1 of 2011). Available from http://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Legislation/Wildlife%20and%20Protected%20Areas%20Ordi nance%202011-1.pdf Wolfaardt, A. 2010. Guidelines for the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

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Appendices

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Appendix 1 Scoring and Rationales

Appendix 1.1 Performance Indicator Scores and Rationale

Evaluation Table for PI 1.1.1 The stock is at a level which maintains high productivity and has a low PI 1.1.1 probability of recruitment overfishing Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 A Guide It is likely that the It is highly likely that There is a high degree of post stock is above the the stock is above the certainty that the stock is above point where point where recruitment the point where recruitment recruitment would be would be impaired. would be impaired. impaired. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The assessment for C. gunnari in subarea 48.3 does not rely on a stock-recruitment cation relationship given uncertainty in the form of that relationship, and judgement relative to the SG text must be inferred. Inference is drawn from the results of the swept- area survey performed regularly for the species, and the 2015 stock assessment. Estimated biomass has remained stable, with some slight increase over time, removals are estimated to be considerably lower than 5% of the stock, and there is no evidence from the length structure data of systematic decline. The assumed high natural mortality rate for this species (0.71y-1) compared to fishery removals of <7% in the last five years supports the precautionary nature of the strategy. A limit reference point at which the fishery will be closed has been adopted when the survey estimates a median biomass of 8,000t or below. This biomass limit has been implemented by GSGSSI. Mean biomass estimates since 2010 have been above 40,000 mt. Stock trends and conservative nature of the harvest strategy imply that there is a high degree of certainty that the stock is above the point at which recruitment is impaired. In turn, the recent survey stock biomass has been around five times that of the adopted limit reference point, a limit that has been shown to allow the stock size to increase and suggests minimial recruitment impairment. A score of 100 is therefore given. b Guide The stock is at or There is a high degree of post fluctuating around its certainty that the stock has target reference point. been fluctuating around its target reference point, or has been above its target reference point, over recent years. Met? Y N Justifi A specific target reference point has not been formally set given uncertainty in the cation stock-recruitment relationship. Instead, an escapement policy has been developed which is more precautionary than fishing at a ‘default’ MSY level. The approach is similar– if not identical – to that used in other MSC Certified fisheries under the auspices of CCAMLR.

Catches limits are set exactly at the fishing mortality target level. This has a high chance of maintaining the stock above its implicit limit. Current assessments estimate the stock to be well above the reference level, and the harvest strategy is designed to ensure that this remains the case. TAC levels are recognised to be precautionary with respect to the stock sustainability and the future harvest level

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The stock is at a level which maintains high productivity and has a low PI 1.1.1 probability of recruitment overfishing rules ensure that the future TAC would be reduced before precautionary levels are reached. As noted above, the assumed high natural mortality rate for this species (0.71y-1) compared to fishery removals (approximate exploitation rate) of <7% per annum in the last five years) supports the precautionary nature of the strategy. Combined with the basis of these catch levels – a survey that is known to under-estimate the total icefish biomass- suggests that the exploitation rate will be consistent with the precautionary target level. In turn, management and controls on catch are rigorous, with reporting systems sufficiently robust to detect potential concerns before they become problematic. However, there cannot be said to be a high degree of certainty on stock status, and hence a score of 80 is given. Earl and Darby, 2015 Belchier et al., 2015 References Darby et al., 2013 Darby et al., 2014 Stock Status relative to Reference Points Type of reference Value of reference Current stock status relative

point point to reference point Target Escapement target 75% of total biomass This escapement policy has reference (75% of total biomass retained in two years been appropriately used to set point at the end of the time. catch limits in subsequent second year) years, under precautionary assumptions of zero recruitment, and based upon the lower 95th percentile estimate of stock biomass from the survey. Limit Non-parametric 8,000 t 48,543 t in 2015 reference biomass level from the point demersal survey OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 90 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant):

Evaluation Table for PI 1.1.2 PI 1.1.2 Limit and target reference points are appropriate for the stock Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Generic limit and Reference points are post target reference points appropriate for the are based on stock and can be justifiable and estimated. reasonable practice appropriate for the species category. Met? Y Y Justifi The reference points are based on a precautionary approach and conform to the cation CCAMLR standard for management. The biological basis for the level of risk aversion and depletion level are not tightly tied to the biology of this species, but are

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PI 1.1.2 Limit and target reference points are appropriate for the stock conservative compared to the standard practice in fisheries and hence are appropriate for the stock and available knowledge. For this fishery the reference point used is based on a 75% escapement. This reference point is used as a conservative limit point in the absence of a clear estimate of a stock-recruitment relationship. The total mortality and escapement policy take into account life characteristics and parameter values. Reference levels are routinely estimated as part of each (generally biennial) stock assessment. It is noted that management applies greater precaution to account for this (e.g. the lower 95% confidence interval is used as the biomass estimate from which the escapement is calculated, no recruitment is assumed in the coming years within the projections, and zero TACs have been set in relation to low survey estimates of biomass), which results in a score higher than otherwise would be the case. It is noted that the basis for the control rule, being the demersal survey, can lead to fluctuations in catch limits from year to year. Indeed, high biomass estimates and hence TACs can result from relatively large survey catches of older fish, which are unlikely to be present in the population in the coming years due to the high level of natural mortality, and that catch level may not be achievable. However, retrospective analysis and sensitivity evaluation has indicated that the precautionary nature of the catch setting process appears able to cope with uncertainties. It is also noted that a biomass LRP of 8,000 t has been adopted by GSGSSI. b Guide The limit reference The limit reference point is set post point is set above the above the level at which there level at which there is is an appreciable risk of an appreciable risk of impairing reproductive capacity impairing reproductive following consideration of capacity. precautionary issues. Met? Y Y Justifi The limit reference point is currently defined indirectly as part of the harvest control cation rule, and a biomass limit level of 8,000 t has been adopted by GSGSSI. In turn, the precautionary nature of the harvest control rule has been examined and given the uncertainties within the system, and the precautionary approach used to estimate TAC levels, it has been shown to provide consistent and precautionary estimates of future biomass and potential catches, and consistent with CCAMLR objectives has an ‘almost negligible impact on the stock’. A score of 100 is therefore given. c Guide The target reference The target reference point is post point is such that the such that the stock is stock is maintained at a maintained at a level consistent level consistent with with BMSY or some measure or BMSY or some measure surrogate with similar intent or or surrogate with outcome, or a higher level, and similar intent or takes into account relevant outcome. precautionary issues such as the ecological role of the stock with a high degree of certainty. Met? Y N Justifi As for the limit reference point, the target reference point is defined indirectly as cation part of the harvest control rule and catch limits in future years are set exactly at the fishing mortality target level. Those catch limits are lower than require to achieve BMSY, and hence are precautionary. That precaution is consistent with the CCAMLR ecosystem objectives by having an almost negligible impact on the stock. We note that recent TAC levels represent less than 6% of the median biomass estimate,

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PI 1.1.2 Limit and target reference points are appropriate for the stock which is itself an underestimate of total annual biomass, and hence recent TAC levels are below rough ‘proxy’ levels for MSY. For example, FMSY can be approximated through 0.5*M, implying an exploitation rate of 35%, noting that the value for M used within the assessment may be high. While it is highly likely therefore that the target is consistent with a higher biomass level than BMSY, taking into account relevant precautionary issues, this cannot be said with a high degree of certainty. A score of 80 is therefore given. d Guide For key low trophic post level stocks, the target reference point takes into account the ecological role of the stock. Met? Not relevant Justifi C. gunnari is not considered a LTL species. It is not within CB1 of MSC Certification cation Requirements V1.3, and is not considered within CCAMLR research to be a keystone species of the ecosystem, i.e. a large proportion of the trophic connections in the ecosystem do not involve this stock, there is not a large volume of energy passing between lower and higher trophic levels through this stock, and there are many other species at this trophic level through which energy can be transmitted from lower to higher trophic levels. Hill et al., 2012 Murphy et al., 2013 Darby et al., 2013 Hillary et al., 2010 References Belchier et al., 2015 CCAMLR, 2015 Constable et al., 2000 Earl and Darby, 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 90 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant):

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Evaluation Table for PI 1.1.3 Where the stock is depleted, there is evidence of stock rebuilding within a PI 1.1.3 specified timeframe Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Where stocks are Where stocks are depleted, post depleted rebuilding strategies are demonstrated to strategies, which have be rebuilding stocks a reasonable continuously and there is strong expectation of evidence that rebuilding will be success, are in place. complete within the specified timeframe. Met? NA NA Justifi The stock is not considered depleted (see PI 1.1.1) and hence this PI is not scored. cation b Guide A rebuilding timeframe A rebuilding timeframe The shortest practicable post is specified for the is specified for the rebuilding timeframe is depleted stock that is depleted stock that is specified which does not the shorter of 30 years the shorter of 20 years exceed one generation time for or 3 times its or 2 times its the depleted stock. generation time. For generation time. For cases where 3 cases where 2 generations is less generations is less than than 5 years, the 5 years, the rebuilding rebuilding timeframe is timeframe is up to 5 up to 5 years. years. Met? NA NA NA Justifi The stock is not considered depleted (see PI 1.1.1) and hence this PI is not scored. cation c Guide Monitoring is in place There is evidence that post to determine whether they are rebuilding the rebuilding stocks, or it is highly strategies are effective likely based on in rebuilding the stock simulation modelling or within a specified previous performance timeframe. that they will be able to rebuild the stock within a specified timeframe. Met? NA NA Justifi The stock is not considered depleted (see PI 1.1.1) and hence this PI is not scored. cation

References

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: NA CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 1.2.1 PI 1.2.1 There is a robust and precautionary harvest strategy in place Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide The harvest strategy is The harvest strategy is The harvest strategy is post expected to achieve responsive to the state responsive to the state of the stock management of the stock and the stock and is designed to objectives reflected in elements of the harvest achieve stock management the target and limit strategy work together objectives reflected in the target reference points. towards achieving and limit reference points. management objectives reflected in the target and limit reference points. Met? Y Y Y Justifi CCAMLR has developed models which attempt to incorporate some of the key cation effects of uncertainty into analysis of biological parameters and into the subsequent management advice provided. Model outputs are then used to identify management options and these are objectively selected to set catch limits most congruent with the objectives of Article II of the Convention. CCAMLR sets an overall quota for Subarea 48.3. The fishery is entirely within the South Georgia Maritime Zone. The harvest strategy is based upon the estimated TAC allowed for C. gunnari within Subarea 48.3, and updated regularly based upon the one-sided lower 95% confidence limit of the estimate of the stock size from the regular UK demersal survey, which is highly precautionary. This precaution is enhanced by the fact that the survey is highly likely to underestimate total biomass due to the pelagic nature of the younger ages (noting that some adjustment for this is made when calculating the TAC). The confidence limit of the standing stock is estimated using a weighted bootstrap on calculated icefish densities from the UK survey by strata. This procedure was agreed at WG-FSA-03. The resulting lower one sided 95%ile of the biomass estimate is projected forward for two years under the further precautionary assumption that recruitment to the stock does not occur. Given the regular nature of the biomass surveys, the precautionary nature of the harvest control rule, and the regular updating of TAC levels, the harvest strategy is clearly responsive to the state of the stock. Clear, documented decision rules have been reconciled with the precautionary reference points through the TAC estimation process and have been periodically evaluated, and shown to be robust to uncertainties. All vessels operating within the GSGSSI Maritime Zone are licensed by the GSGSSI. The number of licensed vessels is determined on an biennial basis, and combined with catch limits work to control fishing pressure. This is considered an effective measure. The fishery can be closed by CCAMLR on a proactive basis when the TAC is forecast to have been met. GSGSSI can also close the fishery independently of CCAMLR if it is considered that the TAC has been met. Move on rules also minimize fishing impacts on juvenile fish and by-catch species. In order to ensure IUU is not occurring in this fishery a variety of surveillance and enforcement methods are in place. The GSGSSI has a dedicated patrol vessel presence and there is 100% observer coverage. Because IUU fishing has not been observed in this fishery, the CCAMLR estimate of IUU is set at zero. Mechanisms are in place to contain harvest as and when required to maintain productive levels. Measures are robust to uncertainty in data inputs or stock biology, and designed to achieve stock management objectives reflected in the reference points. A score of 100 is given.

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PI 1.2.1 There is a robust and precautionary harvest strategy in place b Guide The harvest strategy is The harvest strategy The performance of the harvest post likely to work based on may not have been strategy has been fully prior experience or fully tested but evaluated and evidence exists plausible argument. evidence exists that it to show that it is achieving its is achieving its objectives including being objectives. clearly able to maintain stocks at target levels. Met? Y Y Y Justifi Specific measures to demonstrate effectiveness are in place and their robustness cation has been examined against a wide range of uncertainties. The control rule is very effective in regulating catch relative to stock status; the TAC has not been overshot since 2008, when the TACs were exceeded by only a small amount. Surveillance and enforcement in place is currently sufficient to act as a deterrent to IUU fishing. No IUU fishing has been observed and is considered negligible. The precautionary nature of the harvest strategy has been tested and the precautionary nature of the TAC process shown to be consistent with the CCAMLR ecosystem objectives by having an almost negligible impact on the stock. This can be considered an appropriate evaluation, being “tested for robustness to uncertainty, appropriate to the scale and intensity of the fishery” given the precautionary nature of the TAC and level of exploitation (MSC Certification Requirements V1.3 CB 2.5.1.1). A score of 100 is therefore given. c Guide Monitoring is in place post that is expected to determine whether the harvest strategy is working. Met? Y Justifi Extensive monitoring is in place through the logsheet, VMS and 100% observer cation coverage of licenced vessels, and surveillance and enforcement assets for South Georgia. The regular UK demersal survey provides updated estimates of C. gunnari biomass and allows the effectiveness of the harvest strategy to be identified. Assessments and survey results are reviewed by CCAMLR WG-FSA. Information gathered is therefore sufficient to determine whether the harvest strategy is achieving its objectives. d Guide The harvest strategy is post periodically reviewed and improved as necessary. Met? Y Justifi There is evidence of review of the harvest strategy and adaptation to improve its cation performance or apply precautionary controls to prevent problems occurring. The strategy is adjusted where new biological or fishery information is identified, as evidenced by adjustments for fisheries such as toothfish in Subarea 48.3. Although management interventions are also to prevent impacts on the ecosystem, they often have recognisable benefits for fish stocks. This process is on-going, as indicated by research and reporting to understand problems and identify if any response is required. The efficacy of the current strategy for icefish was examined through retrospective analysis and sensitivity analyses. Issues with uncertainty in the biomass estimate, which are currently dealt with through the precautionary nature of the harvest strategy, are being investigated through the use of acoustic survey methods. Further information is reviewed through the CCAMLR WG-FSA. There is also a documented research plan for the icefish fishery. Therefore there is evidence of both review and response as part of the harvest strategy, and a score of 100 is given.

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PI 1.2.1 There is a robust and precautionary harvest strategy in place e Guide It is likely that shark It is highly likely that There is a high degree of post finning is not taking shark finning is not certainty that shark finning is place. taking place. not taking place. Met? Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Justifi Sharks are not a target species within this fishery, so this SG is not scored. cation Constable and de la Mare, 1996 Constable et al. 2000 Darby et al., 2013 References Belchier et al., 2015 Earl and Darby, 2015 CCAMLR, 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant):

Evaluation Table for PI 1.2.2 PI 1.2.2 There are well defined and effective harvest control rules in place Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Generally understood Well defined harvest post harvest rules are in control rules are in place that are place that are consistent with the consistent with the harvest strategy and harvest strategy and which act to reduce ensure that the the exploitation rate as exploitation rate is limit reference points reduced as limit are approached. reference points are approached. Met? Y Y Justifi Clear documented harvest control rules are in place and are applied in CCAMLR cation advice on TACs. The TAC (harvest control rule) is set based a one-sided lower 95% confidence limit of the estimate of the stock size, which is highly precautionary. The confidence limit of the standing stock is estimated using a weighted bootstrap on calculated icefish densities from the UK survey by strata. This procedure was agreed at WG-FSA-03. The length-based assessment approach for icefish in Subarea 48.3 was again agreed at WG-FSA 15, and produces precautionary estimation of TACs consistent with the target escapement. If stock size falls, as identified by the UK demersal survey, TAC levels would be reduced accordingly. The TAC setting process would therefore ensure that the exploitation rate was reduced in the face of a declining stock biomass, as identified through the demersal survey. CCAMLR WG-FSA 15 noted the results of the bootstrap-estimated median demersal biomass at 59 081 tonnes, with a one-sided lower 95% confidence interval of 36 530 tonnes. WG-FSA 15 recommended that the catch limit in Subarea 48.3 be consistent with the harvest control rule, which ensures 75% biomass escapement after a two-year projection period, being a catch limit of 3 461 tonnes for 2015/16 and 2 074 tonnes for 2016/17. TAC levels have varied over time, based upon the stock biomass level identified by the UK demersal survey. There is therefore evidence that the harvest control rule is well defined, consistent with the

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PI 1.2.2 There are well defined and effective harvest control rules in place precautionary harvest strategy, and that it will ensure that exploitation rate is reduces as the stock declines. b Guide The selection of the The design of the harvest post harvest control rules control rules takes into account takes into account the a wide range of uncertainties. main uncertainties. Met? Y Y Justifi The precautionary nature of the TAC estimation process acknowledges the cation uncertainty within the system and the biomass estimation approach, and is noted to be precautionary in that the biomass estimate for the stock from the demersal survey has been evaluated to underestimate total biomass due to the more pelagic nature of particular age classes, while the projection approach assumes no recruitment occurs. The precautionary nature of the approach has been confirmed through retrospective and sensitivity analyses. The precautionary nature of the control rule takes into account a wide range of uncertainties. A score of 100 is given. c Guide There is some Available evidence Evidence clearly shows that the post evidence that tools indicates that the tools tools in use are effective in used to implement in use are appropriate achieving the exploitation levels harvest control rules and effective in required under the harvest are appropriate and achieving the control rules. effective in controlling exploitation levels exploitation. required under the harvest control rules. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The TAC appears to apply an effective control on fishing mortality. All vessels are cation subject to a Licensing Inspection at King Edward Point. Catch is reported on entry and exit, while all vessels carry VMS and the Automatic Identification System (AIS). All vessels must record in the electronic logbook all catch, other fish by-catch, any incidental seabird mortality and benthos. Therefore, careful watch is made on the use of quota. Fishery patrols are regularly conducted, with vessels routinely inspected at-sea by Fishery Protection Officers, who undertake CCAMLR inspections, but will also cover any additional licence conditions that GSGSSI may have imposed. There is no evidence of IUU in the area. The feedback from the scientific assessment indicates that the expected controls on fishing are being achieved. Indicators of stock abundance suggest that the stock size is stable and potentially increasing under the current catch, and therefore the limit on exploitation, is less than or equal to the maximum productivity of the resource. This meets SG100. Earl and Darby 2015 CCAMLR 2015 References GSGSSI, 2015 GSGSSI, 2014 Darby et al., 2013 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant):

Evaluation Table for PI 1.2.3

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PI 1.2.3 Relevant information is collected to support the harvest strategy Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Some relevant Sufficient relevant A comprehensive range of post information related to information related to information (on stock structure, stock structure, stock stock structure, stock stock productivity, fleet productivity and fleet productivity, fleet composition, stock abundance, composition is composition and other fishery removals and other available to support data is available to information such as the harvest strategy. support the harvest environmental information), strategy. including some that may not be directly related to the current harvest strategy, is available. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The regular fishery-independent biomass survey for demersal species around cation South Georgia provides up-to-date information on the stock structure and abundance (size composition, biomass spatial distribution). Information on stock biology is still being collected (e.g. there is no clear stock-recruitment relationship, partly due to uncertainties in recruitment levels as young fish are under-sampled in the survey) but the harvest strategy has been designed to be robust to such uncertainties. Investigation of acoustic approaches to improve knowledge of icefish abundance and distribution is underway. Improvements to the survey design are also routinely undertaken. Information is complete on the fleet and fishery removals. There is a long history of information on the environment as well as important components of the ecosystem, such as krill abundance. Although these are not used directly in the harvest strategy, they are used to inform discussions of the working groups, among others, and do influence decision making. Ecosystem information is also collected through stomach samples during surveys, of direct relevance to wider harvest strategy considerations (including higher predator impacts). Investigation of ecosystem influences on recruitment and biology of icefish have been undertaken, although work is ongoing. Fleet composition is known directly through licensing requirements and associated vessel information. The only fishing method for icefish in subarea 48.3 and the SGMZ is pelagic trawling. Bottom trawling is prohibited, although permitted for the stratified survey. The same gear is used among vessels and is inspected before fishing commences. In situ observations are made by observers of fishing practices. All catches of icefish in areas 48.3 (landings and discards) are accurately recorded on CCAMLR logbook forms and verified by 100% observer coverage. Any discards are included in TAC calculations. IUU fishing is considered absent. There is therefore a comprehensive range of information, including some not directly related to the current harvest strategy. In addition, where information gaps threatening the harvest strategy have been identified, there has been an appropriate response through the level of precaution in the strategy. A score of 100 is therefore given. b Guide Stock abundance and Stock abundance and All information required by the post fishery removals are fishery removals are harvest control rule is monitored and at least regularly monitored at a monitored with high frequency one indicator is level of accuracy and and a high degree of certainty, available and coverage consistent and there is a good monitored with with the harvest control understanding of inherent sufficient frequency to rule, and one or more uncertainties in the information support the harvest indicators are available [data] and the robustness of control rule. and monitored with assessment and management sufficient frequency to to this uncertainty.

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PI 1.2.3 Relevant information is collected to support the harvest strategy support the harvest control rule. Met? Y Y Y Justifi As noted, a regular (annual or biennial) fishery-independent survey is performed to cation estimate stock abundance levels for the harvest control rule in place. The uncertainties within this survey are acknowledged (in particular, a demersal survey to estimate abundance of a species with younger ages commonly higher in the water column, which implies the survey represents a conservative biomass estimate) and further precaution is taken by using the lower percentile of biomass estimates for management decisions. Retrospective analyses have shown that the strategy is robust and suitably precautionary in the face of those uncertainties. Vessels report daily to GSGSSI, every 5 days to CCAMLR and logbook haul-by- haul data are sent to CCAMLR during the fishing season on a monthly basis. Catches are described annually in the CCAMLR fishery reports. Monitoring is carried out in accordance with the CCAMLR scheme of observation, requiring 100% observer coverage, and using CCAMLR protocols. These protocols are set out in the CCAMLR Scientific Observers manual. These data are sufficient to produce a valid stock assessment and therefore to support the harvest control rule. Changes in stock biomass and levels of fishing relative to the TAC are monitored regularly and there is a good understanding of inherent uncertainties in the information [data] and the robustness of assessment and management to this uncertainty. Therefore, a score of 100 is given. c Guide There is good post information on all other fishery removals from the stock. Met? Y Justifi Catches are complete and information on them is well recorded in both target cation fisheries and bycatch. Some fish will be taken in the research fishery, and are accounted for in quota allocations. IUU catch estimates are zero for this fishery, as there is no evidence for IUU pressure on the fishery and no history of IUU fishing of this species. Limited work has explored the bycatch of small and larval fish taken in the krill fishery, which includes C. gunnari. Recent estimates of larval bycatch per tonne of krill are relatively low, being 389 individuals (all icefish species) in Subarea 48.3. This suggests that mortality is not great in comparison to natural mortality levels experienced by larval fish. Indeed, the report concluded that it was highly unlikely that the rates of larval fish bycatch within that krill fishery posed any threat to icefish stocks in Area 48. All fisheries in the area that are not subject to this certification are identified and monitored. There are no other significant sources of fishing mortality. All the catches are recorded and used in the stock assessment in the same way as for the vessels under this assessment. Levels of IUU fishing are reliably estimated to be negligible and none has been recorded on this stock. In turn, recent deployment of cameras on the UK demersal survey to examine net performance and fish behavior in the area surrounding the footrope and bobbins. This will lead to a better understanding of survey performance and fish behaviour. Darby et al., 2013 Earl and Darby, 2015 References Belchier et al. 2015 Hill et al., 2005 MRAG, 2012

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PI 1.2.3 Relevant information is collected to support the harvest strategy OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

Evaluation Table for PI 1.2.4 PI 1.2.4 There is an adequate assessment of the stock status Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide The assessment is The assessment is appropriate post appropriate for the for the stock and for the harvest stock and for the control rule and takes into harvest control rule. account the major features relevant to the biology of the species and the nature of the fishery. Met? Y N Justifi The assessment for icefish is not based on a statistical population model, but on the cation regular UK demersal survey around South Georgia. The resulting lower 95th percentile biomass estimate is used as the basis for length-based projection of the resulting biomass to achieve the desired escapement defines future TAC levels. The assessment is therefore appropriate for the stock and harvest control rule, and is necessarily precautionary given the demersal nature of the survey and pelagic nature of many of the age classes. However, as a result, the assessment cannot be said to take into account the major features of relevance to the biology of the species and nature of the pelagic trawl fishery, although further development of acoustic biomass estimates will help in this regard. We note that this is catered for within the precautionary nature of the HCR used, which is scored under 1.2.1 and 1.2.2. A score of 80 is given here. b Guide The assessment post estimates stock status relative to reference points. Met? Y Justifi The assessment approach described above specifically estimates the TAC relative cation to the desired reference points (specifically the 75% escapement policy, with TACs set exactly at the fishing mortality target level). c Guide The assessment The assessment takes The assessment takes into post identifies major uncertainty into account uncertainty and is sources of uncertainty. account. evaluating stock status relative to reference points in a probabilistic way. Met? Y Y N Justifi The bootstrapped survey estimates take into account uncertainty in the pattern of cation biomass estimates from the survey. The resulting estimates provide a probabilistic distribution of potential stock biomass levels. The 95th percentile of that distribution is then taken for the projection analyses and used within the 75% escapement strategy to set TAC. However, the stock status cannot be said to be evaluated relative to the reference points in a probabilistic way (only the step of estimating biomass being evaluated in this way). A score of 80 is given. d Guide The assessment has been post tested and shown to be robust.

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PI 1.2.4 There is an adequate assessment of the stock status Alternative hypotheses and assessment approaches have been rigorously explored. Met? Y Justifi A retrospective analysis and sensitivity evaluation of the performance of the cation CCAMLR harvest control rule for C. gunnari in Subarea 48.3 indicated that the approach provided consistent, precautionary estimates of future biomass and potential catches. The current length-based assessment was developed in response to issues with age estimation in the previous approach, and aims to reduce uncertainty in the analysis. It is noted that in the past, alternative hypotheses have been explored for biological parameters within assessments, although that has not been pursued in the most recent assessment (and guidepost c has been marked down accordingly). Given the testing of the assessment, and that historical examination of alternative hypotheses, a score of 100 is given. e Guide The assessment of The assessment has been post stock status is subject internally and externally peer to peer review. reviewed. Met? Y N Justifi The assessment is subject to peer review by the CCAMLR Working Group on Fish cation Stock Assessment (WG-FSA). In 2015, the Working Group agreed that the length- based assessment for icefish should be used in Subarea 48.3, following the methodology presented in WG-FSA-15/25. In turn, the inherent harvest strategy has been reviewed extensively. However, the approach as specifically applied to icefish in Subarea 48.3 has not been externally peer reviewed (external to GSGSSI and CCAMLR), and hence SG100 is not met. CCAMLR, 2015 Earl and Darby, 2015 References Belchier et al., 2015 Hillary et al. 2009 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 85 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant):

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.1.1 The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the PI 2.1.1 retained species and does not hinder recovery of depleted retained species Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Main retained species Main retained species There is a high degree of post are likely to be within are highly likely to be certainty that retained species biologically based within biologically are within biologically based limits (if not, go to based limits (if not, go limits and fluctuating around scoring issue c below). to scoring issue c their target reference points. below). Met? Y Y N Justifi There are no main retained species, and catches of any retained species are cation extremely low. SG80 is met. While it is highly likely that all retained species are within biologically based limits, target reference points have not been defined for all and so SG100 is not met. b Guide Target reference points are post defined for retained species. Met? N Justifi Target reference points are not defined for retained species and so this SI is not cation met. c Guide If main retained If main retained post species are outside species are outside the the limits there are limits there is a partial measures in place that strategy of are expected to ensure demonstrably effective that the fishery does management measures not hinder recovery in place such that the and rebuilding of the fishery does not hinder depleted species. recovery and rebuilding. Met? Y Y Justifi It is not considered likely that retained species are outside of biologically based cation limits. Nevertheless, several management measures are in place including catch limits (based on levels considered by CCAMLR SC to be precautionary) for marbled rockcod, South Georgia icefish and Blackfin icefish. There are also general move- on rules specified (if more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240mm or if the catch of specified species exceed 100kg or 5% of the total catch). These rules have been effectively employed and population studies have not shown any evidence that the fishery may hinder recovery and rebuilding if this were necessary. SG80 is met. d Guide If the status is poorly post known there are measures or practices in place that are expected to result in the fishery not causing the retained species to be outside biologically based limits or hindering recovery. Met? Y

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The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the PI 2.1.1 retained species and does not hinder recovery of depleted retained species Justifi As above, several management measures are in place including catch limits for cation marbled rockcod, South Georgia icefish and Blackfin icefish. There are also general move-on rules specified. These rules have been effectively employed and population studies have not shown any evidence that the fishery may cause any species to be outside biologically based limits nor hinder recovery and rebuilding if this were necessary. This SI is met. Conservation Measure 33-01 Conservation Measure 42-01 References GSGSSI catch data Belchier 2013 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 80 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.1.2 There is a strategy in place for managing retained species that is designed to PI 2.1.2 ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to retained species Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There are measures in There is a partial There is a strategy in place for post place, if necessary, strategy in place, if managing retained species. that are expected to necessary, that is maintain the main expected to maintain retained species at the main retained levels which are highly species at levels which likely to be within are highly likely to be biologically based within biologically limits, or to ensure the based limits, or to fishery does not hinder ensure the fishery does their recovery and not hinder their rebuilding. recovery and rebuilding. Met? Y Y Y Justifi GSGSSI have implemented a strategy to manage incidental catches. Firstly, this is cation informed by biennial groundfish surveys which track population status of non-target species, and careful monitoring of fishing operations and catches, including 100% observer coverage. Where considered appropriate, catch limits have been set for retained species. These include the following retained species  Marbled rockcod (Notothenia rossii): 300 t  South Georgia icefish (Pseudpchaenichthys georgianus): 300 t  Blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus): 2 200 t There are also general move-on rules specified (if more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240mm or if the catch of specified species exceed 100kg or 5% of the total catch) affecting all retained species. SG100 is met. b Guide The measures are There is some Testing supports high post considered likely to objective basis for confidence that the strategy will work, based on confidence that the work, based on information plausible argument partial strategy will directly about the fishery and/or (e.g., general work, based on some species involved. experience, theory or information directly comparison with about the fishery and/or similar species involved. fisheries/species). Met? Y Y Y Justifi The performance of the strategy is continually monitored by GSGSSI through cation observations of catches and fishing operations (including 100% observer coverage) and through fishery independent monitoring of populations via the biennial groundfish survey. This ongoing monitoring is therefore based on information directly about the fishery and the species involved. SG100 is met. c Guide There is some There is clear evidence that the post evidence that the strategy is being implemented partial strategy is being successfully. implemented successfully. Met? Y Y

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There is a strategy in place for managing retained species that is designed to PI 2.1.2 ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to retained species Justifi The requirements of the strategy, via regulations, are clearly established and cation communicated to fishing companies and skippers. Monitoring of fishing operations, including VMS, 100% observer coverage etc provide evidence of enforcement and compliance is considered to be very good. There is, therefore, clear evidence that the strategy is being implemented successfully and so SG100 is met. d Guide There is some evidence that post the strategy is achieving its overall objective. Met? Y Justifi Evidence of the success of the strategy is provided by monitoring of populations via cation the groundfish survey which shows no detectable change in species composition; changes in the relative abundances of species were observed, but for the five most abundant species there were no consistent trends. Compliance with the relevant regulations is considered to be good. There is, therefore, evidence that the strategy is achieving its overall objective. SG100 is met.

e Guide It is likely that shark It is highly likely that There is a high degree of post finning is not taking shark finning is not certainty that shark finning is place. taking place. not taking place. Met? Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Justifi Scoring issue not scored as no retained species are sharks cation Conservation Measure 33-01 Conservation Measure 42-01 References GSGSSI catch data Belchier 2013 Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.1.3 Information on the nature and extent of retained species is adequate to PI 2.1.3 determine the risk posed by the fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage retained species Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Qualitative information Qualitative information Accurate and verifiable post is available on the and some quantitative information is available on the amount of main information are catch of all retained species retained species taken available on the and the consequences for the by the fishery. amount of main status of affected populations. retained species taken by the fishery. Met? Y Y Y Justifi Accurate information is recorded by vessels in electronic logbooks. Data is cation recorded and reported according to CCAMLR specifications and is subject to 100% observer coverage and verification. Consequences for the status of affected populations is determined through biennial groundfish surveys which measure trends in populations of affected species. Close integration between GSGSSI, BAS and CCAMLR SC ensures this information is all taken into consideration in managing the fishery. SG100 is met. b Guide Information is Information is sufficient Information is sufficient to post adequate to to estimate outcome quantitatively estimate outcome qualitatively assess status with respect to status with a high degree of outcome status with biologically based certainty. respect to biologically limits. based limits. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The information provided by the fishery is fully quantitative and verified. This is cation sufficient to quantitatively estimate the effects of fishing on the outcome status of affected populations with a high degree of certainty. SG100 is met. c Guide Information is Information is adequate Information is adequate to post adequate to support to support a partial support a strategy to manage measures to manage strategy to manage retained species, and evaluate main retained species. main retained species. with a high degree of certainty whether the strategy is achieving its objective. Met? Y Y Y Justifi As above, the information provided by the UoC is fully quantitative and verified; a cation similar level of monitoring, observer coverage and reporting also applies to other operators in fishery. The effects of the fishery are therefore closely monitored and information is adequate to support the strategy to manage retained species, and evaluate with a high degree of certainty whether the strategy is achieving its objective. SG100 is met. d Guide Sufficient data continue Monitoring of retained species post to be collected to is conducted in sufficient detail detect any increase in to assess ongoing mortalities to risk level (e.g. due to all retained species. changes in the outcome indicator score or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the strategy)

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Information on the nature and extent of retained species is adequate to PI 2.1.3 determine the risk posed by the fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage retained species Met? Y Y Justifi The current monitoring protocols, including reporting of catches, observer coverage cation and biennial groundfish surveys are expected to continue as at present. This is considered to provide sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortalities to all retained species. SG100 is met. Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI catch data References Belchier 2013 Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.2.1 The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the bycatch PI 2.2.1 species or species groups and does not hinder recovery of depleted bycatch species or species groups Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Main bycatch species Main bycatch species There is a high degree of post are likely to be within are highly likely to be certainty that bycatch species biologically based within biologically are within biologically based limits (if not, go to based limits (if not, go limits. scoring issue b below). to scoring issue b below). Met? Y Y N Justifi The only main bycatch species is yellowfin notothen, P guntheri. A preliminary cation assessment of yellow-fin notothen has been carried out (Earl et al 2015), indicating a biomass of 78k t from the 2015 groundfish survey. Median estimates of exploitation rates have been less than 0.2% (except 0.8% in 2002). Applying the icefish harvest control rule would indicate sustainable maximum yields of 2,497 t in 2015/16 and 1,089 t in 2016/17 – far in excess of recent observed catches. The main bycatch species is highly likely to be within biologically based limits and so SG80 is met. While it is probable that all bycatch species are within safe limits, specific biologically based limits have not been defined and so SG100 is not met. b Guide If main bycatch If main bycatch species post species are outside are outside biologically biologically based based limits there is a limits there are partial strategy of mitigation measures in demonstrably effective place that are mitigation measures in expected to ensure place such that the that the fishery does fishery does not hinder not hinder recovery recovery and and rebuilding. rebuilding. Met? Y Y Justifi It is not considered likely that yellowfin notothen is outside of biologically based cation limits. Nevertheless, GSGSSI license conditions specify that the bycatch of P guntheri is limited to 100 t; once this limit is reached the area west of 40oW (Shag Rocks where most catches of this species are made, Collins et al 2008) is closed to the icefish fishery. There are also general move-on rules specified (if more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240mm or if the catch of specified species exceed 100kg or 5% of the total catch). These rules have been effectively employed and population studies have not shown any evidence that the fishery may hinder recovery and rebuilding if this were necessary. SG80 is met. c Guide If the status is poorly post known there are measures or practices in place that are expected to result in the fishery not causing the bycatch species to be outside biologically based limits or hindering recovery.

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The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the bycatch PI 2.2.1 species or species groups and does not hinder recovery of depleted bycatch species or species groups Met? Y Justifi As for SIb) above. cation Earl et al 2015 Collins et al 2008 Conservation Measure 33-01 References Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI catch data Belchier 2013 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 80 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.2.2 There is a strategy in place for managing bycatch that is designed to ensure PI 2.2.2 the fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to bycatch populations Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There are measures in There is a partial There is a strategy in place for post place, if necessary, strategy in place, if managing and minimizing that are expected to necessary, that is bycatch. maintain the main expected to maintain bycatch species at the main bycatch levels which are highly species at levels which likely to be within are highly likely to be biologically based within biologically limits, or to ensure the based limits, or to fishery does not hinder ensure the fishery does their recovery and not hinder their rebuilding. recovery and rebuilding. Met? Y Y Y Justifi GSGSSI have implemented a strategy to manage incidental catches. Firstly, this is cation informed by biennial groundfish surveys which track population status of non-target species, and careful monitoring of fishing operations and catches, including 100% observer coverage. Where considered appropriate, catch limits have been set by CCAMLR for bycatch species. These include the following: Humped rockcod (Gobionotothen gibberifrons) 1 470 t Grey rockcod (Lepidonotothen squamifrons) 300 t GSGSSI license conditions also specify that the bycatch of P guntheri is limited to 100 t; once this limit is reached the area west of 40oW (Shag Rocks where most catches of this species are made, Collins et al 2008) is closed to the icefish fishery. This species is also protected by the 12nm closure around Shag Rocks. There are also general move-on rules specified (if more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240mm or if the catch of specified species exceed 100kg or 5% of the total catch) affecting all bycatch species. SG100 is met. b Guide The measures are There is some Testing supports high post considered likely to objective basis for confidence that the strategy will work, based on confidence that the work, based on information plausible argument partial strategy will directly about the fishery and/or (e.g. general work, based on some species involved. experience, theory or information directly comparison with about the fishery and/or similar species involved. fisheries/species). Met? Y Y Y Justifi The performance of the strategy is continually monitored by GSGSSI through cation observations of catches and fishing operations (including 100% observer coverage) and through fishery independent monitoring of populations via the biennial groundfish survey. A preliminary assessment of yellow-fin notothen has also been carried out (Earl et al 2015), indicating a biomass of 78k t from the 2015 groundfish survey. Median estimates of exploitation rates have been less than 0.2% (except 0.8% in 2002). Applying the icefish harvest control rule would indicate sustainable maximum yields of 2,497 t in 2015/16 and 1,089 t in 2016/17 – far in excess of recent observed

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There is a strategy in place for managing bycatch that is designed to ensure PI 2.2.2 the fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to bycatch populations catches. This ongoing monitoring is therefore based on information directly about the fishery and the species involved. SG100 is met. c Guide There is some There is clear evidence that the post evidence that the strategy is being implemented partial strategy is being successfully. implemented successfully. Met? Y Y Justifi The requirements of the strategy, via regulations, are clearly established and cation communicated to fishing companies and skippers. Monitoring of fishing operations, including VMS, 100% observer coverage etc provide evidence of enforcement and compliance is considered to be very good. There is, therefore, clear evidence that the strategy is being implemented successfully and so SG100 is met. d Guide There is some evidence that post the strategy is achieving its overall objective. Met? Y Justifi Evidence of the success of the strategy is provided by monitoring of populations via cation the groundfish survey which shows no detectable change in species composition; changes in the relative abundances of species were observed, but for the five most abundant species there were no consistent trends. Compliance with the relevant regulations is considered to be good. There is, therefore, evidence that the strategy is achieving its overall objective. SG100 is met. Earl et al 2015 Collins et al 2008 Conservation Measure 33-01 References Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI catch data Belchier 2013 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.2.3 Information on the nature and the amount of bycatch is adequate to PI 2.2.3 determine the risk posed by the fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage bycatch Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Qualitative information Qualitative information Accurate and verifiable post is available on the and some quantitative information is available on the amount of main information are catch of all bycatch species and bycatch species taken available on the the consequences for the by the fishery. amount of main status of affected populations. bycatch species taken by the fishery. Met? Y Y Y Justifi Accurate information is recorded by vessels in electronic logbooks. Data is cation recorded and reported according to CCAMLR specifications and is subject to 100% observer coverage and verification. Consequences for the status of affected populations is determined through biennial groundfish surveys which measure trends in populations of affected species. Close integration between GSGSSI, BAS and CCAMLR SC ensures this information is all taken into consideration in managing the fishery. SG100 is met. b Guide Information is Information is sufficient Information is sufficient to post adequate to broadly to estimate outcome quantitatively estimate outcome understand outcome status with respect to status with respect to status with respect to biologically based biologically based limits with a biologically based limits. high degree of certainty. limits Met? Y Y Y Justifi The information provided by the fishery is fully quantitative and verified. This is cation sufficient to quantitatively estimate the effects of fishing on the outcome status of affected populations with a high degree of certainty. SG100 is met. c Guide Information is Information is adequate Information is adequate to post adequate to support to support a partial support a strategy to manage measures to manage strategy to manage retained species, and evaluate bycatch. main bycatch species. with a high degree of certainty whether the strategy is achieving its objective. Met? Y Y Y Justifi As above, the information provided by the fishery is fully quantitative and verified. cation The effects of the fishery are therefore closely monitored and information is adequate to support the strategy to manage retained species, and evaluate with a high degree of certainty whether the strategy is achieving its objective. SG100 is met. d Guide Sufficient data continue Monitoring of bycatch data is post to be collected to conducted in sufficient detail to detect any increase in assess ongoing mortalities to risk to main bycatch all bycatch species. species (e.g., due to changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectively of the strategy).

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Information on the nature and the amount of bycatch is adequate to PI 2.2.3 determine the risk posed by the fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage bycatch Met? Y Y Justifi The current monitoring protocols, including reporting of catches, observer coverage cation and biennial groundfish surveys are expected to continue as at present. This is considered to provide sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortalities to all retained species. SG100 is met. Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI catch data References Belchier 2013 Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.3.1 The fishery meets national and international requirements for the protection of ETP species PI 2.3.1 The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to ETP species and does not hinder recovery of ETP species Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Known effects of the The effects of the There is a high degree of post fishery are likely to be fishery are known and certainty that the effects of the within limits of national are highly likely to be fishery are within limits of and international within limits of national national and international requirements for and international requirements for protection of protection of ETP requirements for ETP species. species. protection of ETP species. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The effects of the fishery are carefully monitored, with 100% observer coverage and cation good reporting mechanisms in place for vessels. The strong commitment of GSGSSI to conservation requirements ensures high levels of attention are given to any interactions. There have been no recorded direct interactions with any marine mammals, grey- headed or black-browed albatross. Mortalities of white-chinned petrel (average mortality for the fishery of 0.4 individuals per season) and other seabirds (average 0.2) are well within national and international limits for protection (a total of 20 seabirds per vessel in any season). SG100 is met. b Guide Known direct effects Direct effects are highly There is a high degree of post are unlikely to create unlikely to create confidence that there are no unacceptable impacts unacceptable impacts significant detrimental direct to ETP species. to ETP species. effects of the fishery on ETP species. Met? Y Y Y Justifi As above, direct effects are extremely limited, only affecting a small number of cation seabirds with ongoing efforts to minimise such effects further. Observer coverage provides a high degree of confidence in the information available. SG100 is met. c Guide Indirect effects have There is a high degree of post been considered and confidence that there are no are thought to be significant detrimental indirect unlikely to create effects of the fishery on ETP unacceptable impacts. species. Met? Y N Justifi A high degree of confidence represents a 90% probability that there are no cation significant detrimental indirect effects of the fishery, unlikely represents 80%. It is known that icefish play an important role in the South Georgia ecosystem as predators of krill and other invertebrates and as prey species of fur seals and Gentoo penguins (and in years of high abundance, juvenile toothfish). Indirect effects would therefore be trophic effects on predators due to the removal of icefish biomass. Ecosystem models of the South Georgia pelagic ecosystem have been constructed allowing preliminary testing of hypotheses of ecosystem change, but these understandably focus on krill and other secondary production. It is noted that research is ongoing in relation to monitoring of predation of krill and icefish.

The harvest of icefish is very precautionary and catches are, currently, low. Catches of other species are too low to plausibly exert any trophic effects. There is no

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The fishery meets national and international requirements for the protection of ETP species PI 2.3.1 The fishery does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to ETP species and does not hinder recovery of ETP species indication from modelling or monitoring of any unacceptable impacts arising from the fishery but equally, no evidence has been presented specifically examining the likelihood of trophic effects on predator species arising from the icefish fishery, for example in years of low krill availability. Indirect effects have therefore been considered and are thought to be unlikely to create unacceptable impacts and so SG80 is met. The absence of specific analysis means that SG100 is not met.

Hill et al, 2011 Atkinson et al 2001 References GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 GSGSSI Research Plan OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 95 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.3.2 The fishery has in place precautionary management strategies designed to:  Meet national and international requirements; PI 2.3.2  Ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of serious harm to ETP species;  Ensure the fishery does not hinder recovery of ETP species; and  Minimise mortality of ETP species. Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There are measures in There is a strategy in There is a comprehensive post place that minimise place for managing the strategy in place for managing mortality of ETP fishery’s impact on ETP the fishery’s impact on ETP species, and are species, including species, including measures to expected to be highly measures to minimise minimise mortality, which is likely to achieve mortality, which is designed to achieve above national and designed to be highly national and international international likely to achieve requirements for the protection requirements for the national and of ETP species. protection of ETP international species. requirements for the protection of ETP species. Met? Y Y Y Justifi There is a comprehensive strategy for managing the fishery’s impact on the cation ecosystem, and ETP species feature prominently in this. As there are no interactions with marine mammals, this strategy focuses on seabirds. CM 42-01 specifies that the operation of this fishery shall be carried out so as to minimise the incidental mortality of seabirds in the course of the fishery. Measures required include that vessels shall also use net binding and consider adding weight to the codend to reduce seabird captures during shooting operations and should any vessel catch a total of 20 seabirds, it shall cease fishing and shall be excluded from further participation in the fishery in the 2014/15 season. Conservation Measure 25-03 (2011) requires that: a) The use of net monitor cables on vessels in the CAMLR Convention Area is prohibited; b) Vessels must minimise illumination directed out from the vessel; c) Discharge of offal and discards is prohibited during shooting and hauling of trawl gear; d) Nets should be cleaned prior to shooting to remove items that might attract birds; e) Vessels minimise the time that the net is lying on the surface of the water with the meshes slack and net maintenance should not be carried out with the net in the water; f) Vessels should develop gear configurations that minimise the chance of birds encountering the parts of the net to which they are most vulnerable. GSGSSI licensing conditions also require a detailed description of mitigation measures with each application. The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA, particularly the creation of closed areas including Shag Rocks and the 12nm limit around South Georgia protects marine predators from the indirect impacts of fishing. There is, therefore, a comprehensive strategy in place for managing the fishery’s impact on ETP species, including several well considered measures to minimise mortality, which is designed to achieve above national and international requirements for the protection of ETP species (the aim being to eliminate adverse effects). SG100 is met. b Guide The measures are There is an objective The strategy is mainly based on post considered likely to basis for confidence information directly about the work, based on that the strategy will fishery and/or species involved, plausible argument work, based on and a quantitative analysis (e.g., general information directly supports high confidence that experience, theory or the strategy will work.

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The fishery has in place precautionary management strategies designed to:  Meet national and international requirements; PI 2.3.2  Ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of serious harm to ETP species;  Ensure the fishery does not hinder recovery of ETP species; and  Minimise mortality of ETP species. comparison with about the fishery and/or similar the species involved. fisheries/species). Met? Y Y Y Justifi The strategy is developed by scientists and managers within (or working with) cation GSGSSI and CCAMLR and fishers within the fishery. The strategy is based on information directly about the icefish fishery and this is monitored through accurate observations by fishers and observers and quantitative analysis by GSGSSI and CCAMLR. SG100 is met. c Guide There is evidence that There is clear evidence that the post the strategy is being strategy is being implemented implemented successfully. successfully. Met? Y Y Justifi As detailed in Section 3.5 of the report, provision of information to fishers, cation compliance and cooperation by fishers and ongoing monitoring, including 100% observer coverage, is all in place and effective. There is clear evidence that the strategy is being implemented successfully. SG100 is met d Guide There is evidence that the post strategy is achieving its objective. Met? Y Justifi The low levels of impact, and ongoing monitoring and development of mitigation cation techniques, provide clear evidence that the strategy is achieving its objective. SG100 is met. GSGSSI 2014 Conservation Measure 42-01 Conservation Measure 25-03 References GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 Wolfaardt and Christie 2010 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.3.3 Relevant information is collected to support the management of fishery impacts on ETP species, including: PI 2.3.3  Information for the development of the management strategy;  Information to assess the effectiveness of the management strategy; and  Information to determine the outcome status of ETP species. Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Information is sufficient Sufficient information is Information is sufficient to post to qualitatively available to allow quantitatively estimate outcome estimate the fishery fishery related mortality status of ETP species with a related mortality of and the impact of high degree of certainty. ETP species. fishing to be quantitatively estimated for ETP species. Met? Y Y Y Justifi Very accurate quantitative information is provided by fishery (following CCAMLR cation reporting protocols) and supported by 100% observer coverage (for whom ETP interactions are a significant part of their activities). These provide a high degree of certainty in the information. SG100 is met. b Guide Information is Information is sufficient Accurate and verifiable post adequate to broadly to determine whether information is available on the understand the impact the fishery may be a magnitude of all impacts, of the fishery on ETP threat to protection and mortalities and injuries and the species. recovery of the ETP consequences for the status of species. ETP species. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The information described above provides accurate and verifiable data on the cation magnitude of all impacts, mortalities and injuries and the consequences for the status of ETP species. ETP populations (seabirds and mammals) are closely monitored in South Georgia by BAS. SG100 is met. c Guide Information is Information is sufficient Information is adequate to post adequate to support to measure trends and support a comprehensive measures to manage support a full strategy strategy to manage impacts, the impacts on ETP to manage impacts on minimize mortality and injury of species. ETP species. ETP species, and evaluate with a high degree of certainty whether a strategy is achieving its objectives. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The information collection in place is considered entirely adequate to support the cation strategy to manage impacts and minimize mortality and injury of ETP species. It is also sufficient to evaluate with a high degree of certainty whether the strategy is achieving its objectives. SG100 is met. GSGSSI 2015. Strategy Conservation Measures 42-01, 23-01, 23-04, 23-05 References GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.4.1 The fishery does not cause serious or irreversible harm to habitat structure, PI 2.4.1 considered on a regional or bioregional basis, and function Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide The fishery is unlikely The fishery is highly There is evidence that the post to reduce habitat unlikely to reduce fishery is highly unlikely to structure and function habitat structure and reduce habitat structure and to a point where there function to a point function to a point where there would be serious or where there would be would be serious or irreversible irreversible harm. serious or irreversible harm. harm. Met? Y Y Y Justifi Habitats which could be affected are pelagic habitats and benthic (seabed) habitats. cation There is no reason to justifiably expect a pelkagic net to cause noticeable (in a timeframe of a few hours) disruption of pelagic features (stratification, currents etc). The icefish fishery is entirely pelagic. Current technology such as forward facing sonar and net monitors allows skippers to carefully manage the position of the net in the water column and avoid seabed contact. As nets are not designed or rigged for contact with the seabed, any impacts could result in significant net damage and will be avoided. GSGSSI catch data, and interviews, suggest an occasion in 2012/13 when the net did come into contact with the seabed (during turning when velocity decreased) but this is clearly a very unusual occurrence. The MSC definition of serious or irreversible harm considers effects such as loss of habitat types and threats of local extinction of habitat-forming species. There is, therefore, evidence that this fishery is highly unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function to any such extent. SG100 is met. Conservation Measure 42-01 References GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.4.2 There is a strategy in place that is designed to ensure the fishery does not PI 2.4.2 pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to habitat types Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There are measures in There is a partial There is a strategy in place for post place, if necessary, strategy in place, if managing the impact of the that are expected to necessary, that is fishery on habitat types. achieve the Habitat expected to achieve Outcome 80 level of the Habitat Outcome performance. 80 level of performance or above. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The GSGSSI strategy includes for ‘preserving … native biodiversity and habitats’. cation To achieve this strategy in relation to habitats, a number of measures are in place, principally, it is a license requirement for the icefish fishery that the fishery be prosecuted by pelagic trawl only and skippers are under strict instructions to avoid contact with seabed (any contacts are to be reported immediately). GSGSSI have also created a 1.07 million km2 Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering the GSGSSI maritime zone north of 60°S (GSGSSI, 2012a). Further measures include the creation of closed areas, including the 12nm limit around South Georgia, where many vulnerable habitats are to be found. SG100 is met. b Guide The measures are There is some Testing supports high post considered likely to objective basis for confidence that the strategy will work, based on confidence that the work, based on information plausible argument partial strategy will directly about the fishery and/or (e.g. general work, based on habitats involved. experience, theory or information directly comparison with about the fishery and/or similar habitats involved. fisheries/habitats). Met? Y Y Y Justifi Close monitoring of vessels through observers, VMS etc provides clear evidence of cation a lack of contact with the seabed and avoidance of fishing in closed areas. By avoiding contact altogether, it is clear that the strategy will work. SG100 is met. c Guide There is some There is clear evidence that the post evidence that the strategy is being implemented partial strategy is being successfully. implemented successfully. Met? Y Y Justifi Interviews with fishers, managers and scientists provide clear evidence that all cation conservation measures are clearly communicated, understood, enforced and complied with. SG100 is met. d Guide There is some evidence that post the strategy is achieving its objective. Met? Y Justifi By avoiding contact with the seabed, and through compliance with measures to cation protect MPAs (monitored through observers, VMS etc) the preservation of habitats will be clearly achieved. SG100 is met.

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There is a strategy in place that is designed to ensure the fishery does not PI 2.4.2 pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to habitat types Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 References GSGSSI 2015. Strategy GSGSSI 2015 Information for licence holders. GSGSSI 2013. MPA Management Plan OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.4.3 Information is adequate to determine the risk posed to habitat types by the PI 2.4.3 fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage impacts on habitat types Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There is basic The nature, distribution The distribution of habitat types post understanding of the and vulnerability of all is known over their range, with types and distribution main habitat types in particular attention to the of main habitats in the the fishery are known occurrence of vulnerable area of the fishery. at a level of detail habitat types. relevant to the scale and intensity of the fishery. Met? Y Y N Justifi The nature and distribution of the main habitat types in the area has been cation determined in part from information gathered from the fishery by fishery observers in the toothfish fishery (identifying VMEs) and a fine scale bathymetric map of the seabed around South Georgia produced by BAS. The distribution of habitat types over their range is not known however. As this is a pelagic fishery, the information on the nature, distribution and vulnerability of all main habitat types is known at a level of detail relevant to the fishery. The information available meets the SG60 and SG80 requirements, but does not meet the SG100 requirements. b Guide Information is Sufficient data are The physical impacts of the post adequate to broadly available to allow the gear on the habitat types have understand the nature nature of the impacts of been quantified fully. of the main impacts of the fishery on habitat gear use on the main types to be identified habitats, including and there is reliable spatial overlap of information on the habitat with fishing spatial extent of gear. interaction, and the timing and location of use of the fishing gear. Met? Y Y Y Justifi As the fishery is pelagic, and monitored closely to ensure it is pelagic, the physical cation impacts will be quantified as zero, or close to zero. Some contact with the seabed has occurred, but this is recorded, skippers and owners warned and lessons learned. Quantification is probably as accurate as in any fishery. SG100 is considered to be met. c Guide Sufficient data continue Changes in habitat distributions post to be collected to over time are measured. detect any increase in risk to habitat (e.g. due to changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the measures). Met? Y N Justifi Ongoing monitoring of fishing operations and gear used, together with continuing cation collection of information on habitats is considered sufficient to determine any

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Information is adequate to determine the risk posed to habitat types by the PI 2.4.3 fishery and the effectiveness of the strategy to manage impacts on habitat types increase in risk to habitat. Changes in habitat distributions over time are not measured, however. The SG80 requirement is therefore met, but not the SG100. BAS 2014 GSGSSI catch data References Site Visit 2015 GSGSSI 2013. MPA Management Plan OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 85 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.5.1 The fishery does not cause serious or irreversible harm to the key elements PI 2.5.1 of ecosystem structure and function Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide The fishery is unlikely The fishery is highly There is evidence that the post to disrupt the key unlikely to disrupt the fishery is highly unlikely to elements underlying key elements disrupt the key elements ecosystem structure underlying ecosystem underlying ecosystem structure and function to a point structure and function and function to a point where where there would be to a point where there there would be a serious or a serious or would be a serious or irreversible harm. irreversible harm. irreversible harm. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The effects of the fishery on each of the Principle 2 components (retained and cation bycatch species; ETP species and habitats) all indicate that the fishery is highly unlikely to disrupt any of these components of ecosystem structure and function. Any potential effects would therefore arise from trophic effects of removing icefish biomass. However, the marine ecosystem around South Georgia is based on krill. Ecosystem modelling (using Ecopath and Ecosim) has been carried out which identifies and to some extent quantifies the role of icefish in the South Georgia ecosystem. The harvest of icefish is very precautionary and catches are generally low. Catches of other species are too low to plausibly exert any trophic effects. There is no indication from modelling or monitoring of any unacceptable impacts arising from the fishery. ‘Evidence of effects being Highly unlikely’ means that there is a more than a 20% probability of serious or irreversible harm. Serious or irreversible harm is interpreted by the MSC (CR v1.3 GCB 3.17) in terms such as: • (Fishing) “…does not impact the abundance levels of more than 15% of other species and trophic groups by more than 40% and does not reduce the level of any other species or trophic group by more than 70% (a level of effects apparently not achieved for target spp) • Trophic cascade caused by depletion of top predators • Severely truncated size composition of the ecological community to the extent that recovery would be slow due to increased predation by intermediate- sized predators • Gross changes in species diversity (loss of species, major changes in species evenness). The same section also notes that “relatively few fisheries would have the information needed to address ecosystem effects quantitatively...” The extent of information, and level of effect likely to arise from this fishery, means that SG100 is met. Hill et al, 2011 Atkinson et al 2001 References GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.5.2 There are measures in place to ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of PI 2.5.2 serious or irreversible harm to ecosystem structure and function Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide There are measures in There is a partial There is a strategy that consists post place, if necessary. strategy in place, if of a plan, in place. necessary. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The strategy of GSGSSI includes a commitment to “conserve the …environment, cation minimise human impacts and, where practicable restore the native biodiversity and habitats” and “To manage SGSSI fisheries to the highest international standards of operation, stewardship and sustainability”. Measures to implement this strategy in relation to the target species, other retained, bycatch and ETP species, and habitats have been outlined above, and are summarised for fishers in the document ‘Information for Licence Holders’ provided by GSGSSI. b Guide The measures take The partial strategy The strategy, which consists of post into account potential takes into account a plan, contains measures to impacts of the fishery available information address all main impacts of the on key elements of the and is expected to fishery on the ecosystem, and ecosystem. restrain impacts of the at least some of these fishery on the measures are in place. The ecosystem so as to plan and measures are based achieve the Ecosystem on well-understood functional Outcome 80 level of relationships between the performance. fishery and the Components and elements of the ecosystem.

This plan provides for development of a full strategy that restrains impacts on the ecosystem to ensure the fishery does not cause serious or irreversible harm. Met? Y Y Y Justifi The GSGSSI strategy is based on measures implemented by CCAMLR (which itself cation has strategic objectives to maintain the Antarctic environment) and other specific measures, such as establishment of a MPA and closed areas, implemented by GSGSSI. These address the main impacts (at least) of the fishery on the ecosystem and all measures are in place. The plan and measures are based on well-understood functional relationships between the fishery and the Components and elements of the ecosystem, including ecopath-ecosim modelling of interactions. The strategy and measures in place are expected to restrain impacts on the ecosystem to ensure the fishery does not cause serious or irreversible harm. SG100 is met. c Guide The measures are The partial strategy is The measures are considered post considered likely to considered likely to likely to work based on prior work, based on work, based on experience, plausible argument plausible argument plausible argument or information directly from the (e.g., general (e.g., general fishery/ecosystems involved. experience, theory or experience, theory or comparison with

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There are measures in place to ensure the fishery does not pose a risk of PI 2.5.2 serious or irreversible harm to ecosystem structure and function similar comparison with similar fisheries/ecosystems). fisheries/ecosystems). Met? Y Y Y Justifi The measures are considered likely to work, and have largely been demonstrated cation to work, based on very good levels of information from the icefish fishery and South Georgia ecosystem. SG100 is met. d Guide There is some There is evidence that the post evidence that the measures are being measures comprising implemented successfully. the partial strategy are being implemented successfully. Met? Y Y Justifi Interviews with fishers, managers and scientists provide clear evidence that all cation conservation measures are clearly communicated, understood, enforced and complied with. This is supported by information coming from the fishery. SG100 is met. Hill et al, 2011 Atkinson et al 2001 Site Visit 2015 References Conservation Measure 42-01 GSGSSI 2015. Strategy GSGSSI 2015 Information for licence holders. GSGSSI 2013. MPA Management Plan OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 2.5.3 PI 2.5.3 There is adequate knowledge of the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guide Information is Information is adequate post adequate to identify to broadly understand the key elements of the key elements of the the ecosystem (e.g., ecosystem. trophic structure and function, community composition, productivity pattern and biodiversity). Met? Y Y Justifi The key elements of the ecosystem are understood and the relationships between cation these subject to ecosystem modelling. The impact of the fishery on the ecosystem elements (target species, non-target species, ETP species, and habitats) is monitored to inform understanding of impacts. SG80 is met. b Guide Main impacts of the Main impacts of the Main interactions between the post fishery on these key fishery on these key fishery and these ecosystem ecosystem elements ecosystem elements elements can be inferred from can be inferred from can be inferred from existing information, and have existing information, existing information been investigated in detail. and have not been and some have been investigated in detail. investigated in detail. Met? Y Y Y Justifi All apparent sources of interaction between the fishery and ecosystem elements cation have been investigated in some detail and are subject to ongoing monitoring – retained species, bycatch species, ETP species (seabirds in particular) and habitats. SG100 is met. c Guide The main functions of The impacts of the fishery on post the Components (i.e., target, Bycatch, Retained and target, Bycatch, ETP species are identified and Retained and ETP the main functions of these species and Habitats) Components in the ecosystem in the ecosystem are are understood. known. Met? Y Y Justifi The impacts of the fishery on target, Bycatch, Retained and ETP species and cation habitats have been identified, as outlined in the PIs above. The main functions of these Components in the ecosystem are understood and have been subject to ecosystem modelling. SG100 is met. d Guide Sufficient information is Sufficient information is post available on the available on the impacts of the impacts of the fishery fishery on the Components and on these Components elements to allow the main to allow some of the consequences for the main consequences for ecosystem to be inferred. the ecosystem to be inferred. Met? Y Y Justifi There is sufficient information available on all of the components and elements of cation the ecosystem to allow the consequences of the fishery for each component to be

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PI 2.5.3 There is adequate knowledge of the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem determined. All available information indicates that the fishery has very little impact on ecosystem components and/or elements. SG100 is met. e Guide Sufficient data continue Information is sufficient to post to be collected to support the development of detect any increase in strategies to manage risk level (e.g., due to ecosystem impacts. changes in the outcome indicator scores or the operation of the fishery or the effectiveness of the measures). Met? Y Y Justifi Information about the fishery and its effects on ecosystem components and cation elements is gathered continually through the GSGSSI and CCAMLR research programmes, vessel reporting and interactions with fishing companies and on- board observer programme. This information has also been used to develop strategies to manage ecosystem impacts such as seabird mitigation measures and implementation of the GSGSSI MPA management plan. SG100 is met. GSGSSI 2015. Strategy Conservation Measures 42-01, 23-01, 23-04, 23-05 GSGSSI catch data Site Visit 2015 References GSGSSI 2013. MPA Management Plan Hill et al, 2011 Atkinson et al 2001 GSGSSI 2015 Information for licence holders. OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): -

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.1.1

The management system exists within an appropriate legal and/or customary framework which ensures that it:  Is capable of delivering sustainable fisheries in accordance with PI 3.1.1 MSC Principles 1 and 2; and  Observes the legal rights created explicitly or established by custom of people dependent on fishing for food or livelihood; and  Incorporates an appropriate dispute resolution framework. Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost There is an effective There is an effective There is an effective national legal system national legal system national legal system and a framework for and organised and and binding procedures cooperation with other effective cooperation governing cooperation parties, where with other parties, where with other parties which necessary, to deliver necessary, to deliver delivers management management outcomes management outcomes outcomes consistent consistent with MSC consistent with MSC with MSC Principles 1 Principles 1 and 2 Principles 1 and 2. and 2.

Met? Y Y Y Justificatio The stock of icefish in CCAMLR Area 48.3 is neither a straddling or shared stock n (see section Error! Reference source not found. of this report). The G overnment of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has sole competence for the management of the stock. Because this stock is located within the Antarctic, the GSGSSI is under an international legal obligation to comply with the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The CCAMLR Commission resolved in 1986 that the South Georgia fisheries should be managed in accordance with binding “limitations on catch, or equivalent measures” set by the Commission (CCAMLR, 1986).

GSGSSI has established a management regime for the fishery that is compatible with CCAMLR and gives effect to the Convention. There is clear evidence that GSGSSI participates fully with CCAMLR requirements to monitor and report both fishing activity, stock status and environmental impacts associated with the fishery (CCAMLR, 2013c). The GSGSSI also implement a TAC for the stock that is more precautionary than the advice from CCAMLR as a matter of policy. The CCAMLR advice on TAC, fishing seasons, and the distribution of fishing effort between management areas is given effect through enforceable licence conditions (GSGSSI, 2015a).

The management system for the fishery is set out in the Fisheries (Conservation and Management Ordinance) 2000, which includes formal provisions, procedures, and duties for managers that are designed to deliver outcomes required by CCAMLR both with respect to the conservation of fish stocks (MSC Principle 1) and also the protection of the marine environment (MSC Principle 2).

In addition to this, the 2001 GSGSSI Environment Charter sets out a binding commitment for the GSGSSI to implement international agreements for the protection of wildlife, such as the UN Rio Declaration (and hence the Convention on Biological Diversity).

The national legal system meets all of the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements and delivers outcomes consistent with SG60, 80 and 100 for this aspect of the SI. The commitment made by GSGSSI to implement CCAMLR requirements demonstrates compliance with binding procedures for international cooperation,

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The management system exists within an appropriate legal and/or customary framework which ensures that it:  Is capable of delivering sustainable fisheries in accordance with PI 3.1.1 MSC Principles 1 and 2; and  Observes the legal rights created explicitly or established by custom of people dependent on fishing for food or livelihood; and  Incorporates an appropriate dispute resolution framework. meeting the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements in this regard. The legal system also delivers management outcomes consistent with MSC Principles 1 and 2.

b Guidepost The management The management The management system incorporates or is system incorporates or is system incorporates or subject by law to a subject by law to a subject by law to a mechanism for the transparent mechanism transparent mechanism resolution of legal for the resolution of legal for the resolution of legal disputes arising within disputes which is disputes that is the system. considered to be appropriate to the effective in dealing with context of the fishery and most issues and that is has been tested and appropriate to the proven to be effective. context of the fishery. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio The management system includes mechanisms to resolve disputes that involve n the transgression of fisheries regulations and also to allow participants in the fishery to challenge management decisions taken by the GSGSSI.

The mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from transgressions of the regulations that govern the vessels operating in the fishery are set out in the Fisheries (Conservation and Management Ordinance) 2000. This ordinance sets out the powers of enforcement offices and the mechanism for resolving disputes, either through administrative penalties (for minor transgressions) or through the Courts for more major offences. This system has been tested through the occasional prosecution of transgressors for minor offences.

The mechanism for challenging management decisions is provided either through the Courts, either through the opportunity to offer a defence for transgressions; or through the opportunity for Judicial Review of management decisions.

The management system was challenged through a Judicial Review (concerning the licensing of the South Georgia toothfish longline fishery) in 2011-12, which found in favour of the GSGSSI, ruling that the mechanisms in place for restricting access to the fishery are lawful.

In summary, all of the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements are met by the management system.

d Guidepost The management The management The management system has a system has a system has a mechanism to generally mechanism to observe mechanism to formally respect the legal rights the legal rights created commit to the legal rights created explicitly or explicitly or established created explicitly or established by custom of by custom of people established by custom of people dependent on dependent on fishing for people dependent on fishing for food or food or livelihood in a fishing for food and livelihood in a manner manner consistent with livelihood in a manner consistent with the the objectives of MSC consistent with the objectives of MSC Principles 1 and 2. objectives of MSC

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The management system exists within an appropriate legal and/or customary framework which ensures that it:  Is capable of delivering sustainable fisheries in accordance with PI 3.1.1 MSC Principles 1 and 2; and  Observes the legal rights created explicitly or established by custom of people dependent on fishing for food or livelihood; and  Incorporates an appropriate dispute resolution framework. Principles 1 and 2. Principles 1 and 2. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio No indigenous people are dependent on this fishery for their food. All fishing is n commercial.

The management system for the fishery is based on the allocation of licences on the basis of stock status, and the track record of applicants (with respect to their compliance with fisheries regulation in force to protect both the target stock and the marine environment). The procedure for licence allocations used by the GSGSSI has been tested with approval in the Courts through Judicial Review proceedings for the toothfish longline fishery (but no challenges have arisen for the icefish trawl fishery)

This management system represents an explicit and formal commitment to respect the legal rights of individuals dependent on the fishery for their livelihood, which in this case is the commercial fishing fleet operating in the UoC.

The fishery meets the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements. CCAMLR, 1986, 2014; GSGSSI, 2001, 2011, 2014a, 2015a References

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.1.2

The management system has effective consultation processes that are open to interested and affected parties. PI 3.1.2 The roles and responsibilities of organisations and individuals who are involved in the management process are clear and understood by all relevant parties Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost Organisations and Organisations and Organisations and individuals involved in individuals involved in individuals involved in the management the management the management process have been process have been process have been identified. Functions, identified. Functions, identified. Functions, roles and responsibilities roles and responsibilities roles and responsibilities are generally are explicitly defined are explicitly defined understood. and well understood for and well understood for key areas of all areas of responsibility responsibility and and interaction. interaction. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio n Management processes for SGSSI are straightforward and explicitly defined in UK legislation and also in the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000.

The Commissioner of SGSSI has full responsibility for administration of the Island, and the Marine Environment and Fisheries Manager has full responsibility for the conservation and management of fish stocks, fishing activities and their regulation. Fishery Protection Officers are empowered to enforce these regulations (such officers include, inter alia, police officers, customs officers, harbour masters, UK military personnel and Fishery Protection Officers appointed by the Commissioner). The roles and responsibilities of all individuals and organisations are explicitly defined in this legislation and well understood by participants in the fishery.

The SG60, 80 and 100 requirements are fully met by the management processes in place.

b Guidepost The management The management The management system includes system includes system includes consultation processes consultation processes consultation processes that obtain relevant that regularly seek and that regularly seek and information from the accept relevant accept relevant main affected parties, information, including information, including including local local knowledge. The local knowledge. The knowledge, to inform the management system management system management system. demonstrates demonstrates consideration of the consideration of the information obtained. information and explains how it is used or not used. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio There is evidence of consultation with stakeholders over all aspects of n management of this fishery. Consultation documents were issued prior to changes to the duration of fishing licences in 2013; extensive consultations

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The management system has effective consultation processes that are open to interested and affected parties. PI 3.1.2 The roles and responsibilities of organisations and individuals who are involved in the management process are clear and understood by all relevant parties were carried out before implementation of the new MPA arrangements in 2012; and more recently stakeholders and interested parties were consulted over the new South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020.

The consultations that were carried out during the process of creating the new MPA arrangements and the 2016-2020 strategy demonstrate that the management system is capable of seeking and considering information from stakeholder and the explaining how it has been used.

As well as these ad-hoc consultations carried out in advance of changes to the management regime, the GSGSSI holds annual stakeholder meetings in London. A key part of these meetings is a Fishery Science-Industry session, at which the latest scientific work on fish stock status and marine science are presented and discussed with fishery operators and other stakeholders. Members of the assessment team attend these meetings as part of the regular surveillance schedule for this and other South Georgia fisheries, and to verify that the consultation processes are operating effectively.

The consultation systems in place meet all of the SG60. 80 and 100 requirements. c Guidepost The consultation The consultation process provides process provides opportunity for all opportunity and interested and affected encouragement for all parties to be involved. interested and affected parties to be involved, and facilitates their effective engagement. Met? Y Y Justificatio South Georgia has no resident population, but nevertheless there are a n significant number of parties interested in the management of the Island and the seas around it.

To facilitate stakeholder engagement in the management process, the GSGSSI makes use of electronic media in its consultations with stakeholders, and publishes an annual report summarising its activities which is published on the internet.

The administrative officers of GSGSSI are based in Stanley on the Falkland Islands, which is the base of operations for many of the vessels prosecuting the fishery.

To further facilitate engagement, the GSGSSI holds an annual meeting with stakeholders in London, at which presentations are given about current management issues and proposals. The Commissioner and Director of Fisheries directly engage with interested parties at this meeting. During the assessment of the fishery the Assessment Team attended the annual stakeholder meeting held in September 2015 to observe the consultation process in operation. The meeting was attended by a wide range of stakeholders from many sectors including the fishing industry and environmental NGOs.

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The management system has effective consultation processes that are open to interested and affected parties. PI 3.1.2 The roles and responsibilities of organisations and individuals who are involved in the management process are clear and understood by all relevant parties

There is evidence of consultation processes that provide opportunities for all interested parties to be involved, and the actions of the GSGSSI facilitate the engagement of any interested parties. The fishery meets the SG80 and 100 requirements.

References GSGSSI, 2012a, 2013a, b; 2015, b,c,d. OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.1.3

The management policy has clear long-term objectives to guide decision- PI 3.1.3 making that are consistent with MSC Principles and Criteria, and incorporates the precautionary approach Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost Long-term objectives to Clear long-term Clear long-term guide decision-making, objectives that guide objectives that guide consistent with the MSC decision-making, decision-making, Principles and Criteria consistent with MSC consistent with MSC and the precautionary Principles and Criteria Principles and Criteria approach, are implicit and the precautionary and the precautionary within management approach are explicit approach, are explicit policy within management within and required by policy. management policy. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio n Clear long term objectives for the fishery are set out in the CAMLR Convention (Article II) and also in the GSGSSI 5 year strategy. These objectives are listed in section 3.5.6 of this report. These include at the strategic level,

“…the conservation [including rational exploitation] of Antarctic marine living resources.”[CAMLR Article II, para 1];

and to

“Manage SGSSI fisheries in a precautionary manner, to the highest international standards and consistent with all CCAMLR requirements, to ensure long-term sustainability.” [GSGSSI Strategy 1016-2020]

Management policy for the fishery (set out in the Fisheries Ordinance (2000)) requires the Director of Fisheries and all Fishery Officers to have regard to the provisions of the CAMLR Convention (at §4(5)). Objectives that are specific to the management of the fishery are in place to guide the harvest strategy in response to stock assessment information (see section Error! Reference s ource not found.3.3 & the scoring rationale set out in PI 1.1.2of this report).

Management objectives that guide the actions of the Government of South Georgia are set out in the “South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020” (GSGSSI, 2015b). This strategy is shared by both the GSGSSI and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

The clarity of the objectives coupled with the legal requirements set out by the GSGSSI meet the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements.

CAMLR, 1980; GSGSSI, 2010, 2015b; Fisheries (Conservation and References Management) Ordinance 2000. Sections 3.3 & 3.5.4 of this report.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.1.4

The management system provides economic and social incentives for PI 3.1.4 sustainable fishing and does not operate with subsidies that contribute to unsustainable fishing Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost The management The management The management system provides for system provides for system provides for incentives that are incentives that are incentives that are consistent with consistent with consistent with achieving the outcomes achieving the outcomes achieving the outcomes expressed by MSC expressed by MSC expressed by MSC Principles 1 and 2. Principles 1 and 2, and Principles 1 and 2, and seeks to ensure that explicitly considers perverse incentives do incentives in a regular not arise. review of management policy or procedures to ensure they do not contribute to unsustainable fishing practices. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio n Incentives for sustainable fishing are set out in the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000 and in the administrative procedures associated with the licensing and management of the fishery.

The legislation provides a disincentive to fish unsustainably, by identifying offences and associated penalties.

The administration of the fishery provides a proactive mechanism for both encouraging good practice and discouraging bad practice. Licences are awarded to vessels on the basis of their past performance in the fishery with respect to compliance with regulations in place to conserve both icefish and non-target species (including ETP species) and marine habitat protection measures. This provides a system for explicitly considering and reviewing both the compliance of the fleet and the effectiveness of the management system.

The management system for the fishery is also subject to regular review from CCAMLR, which considers catch and stock assessment data as well as information on environmental impacts in its assessment of the status of the fishery.

Taken together the legal and administrative arrangements established by GSGSSI and CCAMLR meet all of the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements for both the target species and Principle 2 Components for this fishery.

CAMLR, 1980; CCAMLR, 2015; GSGSSI, 2010, 2015b; Fisheries Ordinance, References 2000. OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.2.1

The fishery has clear, specific objectives designed to achieve the PI 3.2.1 outcomes expressed by MSC’s Principles 1 and 2 Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost Objectives, which are Short and long-term Well defined and broadly consistent with objectives, which are measurable short and achieving the outcomes consistent with long-term objectives, expressed by MSC’s achieving the outcomes which are demonstrably Principles 1 and 2, are expressed by MSC’s consistent with implicit within the Principles 1 and 2, are achieving the outcomes fishery’s management explicit within the expressed by MSC’s system fishery’s management Principles 1 and 2, are system. explicit within the fishery’s management system. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio Short and long term objectives are set for this fishery by both CCAMLR and the n GSGSSI. These objectives are implemented through the management system that is administered by the GSGSSI. The overall objective for the management of the fishery is set by Article II of the CAMLR Convention which is demonstrably consistent with the outcomes expressed by MSC Principle 1 and 2.

The short and long term objectives for the SG icefish fishery are set out in the CCAMLR harvest strategy for the stock, where the reference point used is based on a 75% escapement of the total mortality (75% escapement of the reference biomass at the end of the second year). This harvest strategy is considered to be very precautionary, and likely to ensure that fishing mortality is maintained at a level below Fmsy and stock biomass above Bmsy. This long term fishery-specific objective is transposed into a shorter term objective through TAC advice from CCAMLR.

At the GSGSSI level the CCAMLR TAC advice is implemented through the process of issuing fishing licences with their associated conditions. These licences govern the quantity of fish that can be caught and other restrictions on fishing activity (such as the spatial and temporal restrictions in place to protect non-target species and marine habitats). The GSGSSI management system is in turn guided by long term objectives which require, inter alia, that the TAC is set at a lower level than advised by CCAMLR.

The objectives for the fishery are measurable in that performance against the objective can be quantified (in the case of the target species and more abundant non-target species there are appropriate catch limits; for ETP species there are targets for managing and reducing by bycatch). The performance of the fishery against these objectives is monitored, measured and reported.

Overall, there are explicit objectives in place within the management system at the CCAMLR and GSGSSI level, and these are consistent with MSC Principles 1 and 2, meeting the SG60. 80 and 100 requirements.

References CAMLR, 1980; CCAMLR, 2015; GSGSSI, 2010; Fisheries Ordinance, 2000.

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The fishery has clear, specific objectives designed to achieve the PI 3.2.1 outcomes expressed by MSC’s Principles 1 and 2

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.2.2

The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision- making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the PI 3.2.2 objectives, and has an appropriate approach to actual disputes in the fishery under assessment. Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost There are some There are established decision-making decision-making processes in place that processes that result in result in measures and measures and strategies strategies to achieve the to achieve the fishery- fishery-specific specific objectives. objectives. Met? Y Y Justificatio n The decision making processes for the fishery are set out in both CAMLR and also the Fisheries Ordinance 2000, which established the administrative mechanisms for managing and regulating the fishery. These processes result in the setting of an annual TAC, technical restrictions for the fishery, and spatial and temporal constraints on fishing activity that form the strategy for controlling the exploitation rate of the stock in order to achieve the fishery specific objectives. There is evidence that there are established decision making processes in place within the GSGSSI and CCAMLR that result in the measures and strategies currently in place and that are delivering fishery specific objectives successfully, meeting the SG60 and 80 requirements. b Guidepost Decision-making Decision-making Decision-making processes respond to processes respond to processes respond to all serious issues identified serious and other issues identified in in relevant research, important issues relevant research, monitoring, evaluation identified in relevant monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a research, monitoring, and consultation, in a transparent, timely and evaluation and transparent, timely and adaptive manner and consultation, in a adaptive manner and take some account of transparent, timely and take account of the the wider implications of adaptive manner and wider implications of decisions. take account of the decisions. wider implications of decisions. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio The decision making processes for the fishery respond to advice from n CCAMLR about the appropriate exploitation rate for the target stock and also advice on how to manage impacts on non-target species and habitats provided by CCAMLR and resulting from ongoing research (including monitoring of the target and non-target species that would detect changes that might arise from climate change). Changes to the management regime have been made in a timely and adaptive manner in response to this advice and research (for instance through the reduction in TACs for the target species and non-target species and the creation of BCAs and NTZs around South Georgia). Issues that are relevant to the management of the fishery are reviewed on at least an annual basis through both CCAMLR meetings and also the GSGSSI stakeholder consultation meetings, which ensure that the decision making

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The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision- making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the PI 3.2.2 objectives, and has an appropriate approach to actual disputes in the fishery under assessment. Decisions are also informed by formal stakeholder consultations about changes to the management regime (for instance over the creation of new MPAs and changes to the licensing regime for the fishery, and also the new South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Strategy 2016-2020).

The SG60, 80 and 100 requirements are fully met.

c Guidepost Decision-making processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information. Met? Y Justificatio n Decisions concerning the management of the fishery are taken in response to scientific advice from CCAMLR and research work carried out or commissioned by the GSGSSI. There is evidence that decisions are precautionary (CCAMLR TAC advice is precautionary and is formally implemented by the GSGSSI; NTZs and BCAs have been established as precautionary management measures to protect non-target species and marine habitats). The requirements of this SI are fully met.

d Guidepost Some information on Information on fishery Formal reporting to all fishery performance and performance and interested stakeholders management action is management action is provides comprehensive generally available on available on request, information on fishery request to stakeholders. and explanations are performance and provided for any actions management actions or lack of action and describes how the associated with findings management system and relevant responded to findings recommendations and relevant emerging from research, recommendations monitoring, evaluation emerging from research, and review activity. monitoring, evaluation and review activity. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio Information about fishery performance and management actions is provided n directly to stakeholders throughout the year (through correspondence, reports, publications, and through meetings with stakeholders based in Stanley). Information about the fishery is available to all stakeholders on the GSGSSI website and in an annual report (GSGSSI, 2013a, 2014a, 2015f). Information on stock status and management decisions taken by CCAMLR are also available on the CCAMLR website (CCAMLR, 2014, 2015).

The GSGSSI website provides information about current consultations and the decisions taken after the consultation period (the most recent example being

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The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision- making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the PI 3.2.2 objectives, and has an appropriate approach to actual disputes in the fishery under assessment. the November 2013 announcement about the change to long-term licensing for the fishery (GSGSSI, 2013b).

The GSGSSI also holds an annual meeting in London with stakeholders at which information about fishery performance and management actions and also the findings of recent research, monitoring and evaluation are presented for scrutiny and discussion.

The SG60, 80 and 100 requirements are fully met by the systems in place for reporting fishery performance and management actions.

e Guidepost Although the The management The management management authority system or fishery is system or fishery acts or fishery may be attempting to comply in proactively to avoid legal subject to continuing a timely fashion with disputes or rapidly court challenges, it is judicial decisions arising implements judicial not indicating a from any legal decisions arising from disrespect or defiance of challenges. legal challenges. the law by repeatedly violating the same law or regulation necessary for the sustainability for the fishery. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio n There is no evidence that the fishery or management system has shown any disrespect or defiance of the law, nor repeatedly violated any laws or regulations necessary for the sustainability of the fishery.

There have been some legal disputes between the GSGSSI and operators of longline fishing vessels operating in the toothfish fishery. Although this legal action was not associated with the icefish fishery, it serves to demonstrate that the management system that is shared by both fisheries has an appropriate approach to allow disputes to be resolved. These disputes arose when the restrictive licensing scheme in place for the toothfish fishery resulted in vessels either not being allocated a licence or having their licence withdrawn. In some instances this resulted in the operator taking Judicial Review proceedings against the GSGSSI. In each case (most recently in November 2012) the GSGSSI has been found to have acted in accordance with the law.

The SG60, 80 and 100 requirements are met for this SI.

References GSGSSI, 2011, 2012a, 2013a, 2013b, 2014a, 2015b, 2015c, 2015d; CCAMLR, 2014, 2015. OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100

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The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision- making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the PI 3.2.2 objectives, and has an appropriate approach to actual disputes in the fishery under assessment. CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

Evaluation Table for PI 3.2.3

Monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms ensure the fishery’s PI 3.2.3 management measures are enforced and complied with Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost Monitoring, control and A monitoring, control A comprehensive surveillance and surveillance system monitoring, control and mechanisms exist, are has been implemented surveillance system has implemented in the in the fishery under been implemented in the fishery under assessment and has fishery under assessment and there is demonstrated an ability assessment and has a reasonable to enforce relevant demonstrated a expectation that they are management measures, consistent ability to effective. strategies and/or rules. enforce relevant management measures, strategies and/or rules. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio The fishery is closely monitored and controlled by the GSGSSI which operates n a statutory surveillance system. Additional monitoring and control measures are applied by the client and Government to ensure compliance with the CCAMLR requirements.

The statutory system in force requires, inter alia, that the fishing vessel reports daily fishing activity (location and catch weight) to the GSGSSI; monitoring of landings that are reconciled with daily catch reports; surveillance of the fishing vessel using two VMS systems (one for GSGSSI and another for CCAMLR); direct observation of all fishing trips, monitoring of fishing practices and sampling of catches by on-board observers; inspection of vessels by GSGSSI staff at King Edward Point; and surveillance of fishing activity at sea by the patrol vessel Pharos SG, which routinely patrols for more than 200 days per year in CCAMLR sub-area 48.3.

This comprehensive system is capable of detecting breaches of management measures, strategies and rules. The level of compliance is excellent demonstrating the ability of the system to enforce these measures, strategies and rules.

b Guidepost Sanctions to deal with Sanctions to deal with Sanctions to deal with non-compliance exist non-compliance exist, non-compliance exist, and there is some are consistently applied are consistently applied evidence that they are and thought to provide and demonstrably applied. effective deterrence. provide effective deterrence. Met? Y Y Y

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Monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms ensure the fishery’s PI 3.2.3 management measures are enforced and complied with Justificatio A clear set of statutory sanctions are in place. These are set out in the n Fisheries Ordinance 2000. Fisheries Protection Officers are empowered to stop, board, inspect and seize fishing vessels. Offences can result in withdrawal of fishing licences and a fine of up to UK£250,000. Minor offences can be dealt with by the Director of Fisheries; more major offences are heard in the Magistrates’ Court.

The only offence detected in recent years was a position offence in 2015 (one vessel fished within an MPA area; the offence was detected from the position data relayed by that vessel, and upon investigation was attributed to an electronic chart error).

The low incidence of offences detected under this well monitored fishery demonstrates that the system is both enforced and complied with, supporting a conclusion that the sanctions provide effective deterrence, meeting the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements.

c Guidepost Fishers are generally Some evidence exists to There is a high degree thought to comply with demonstrate fishers of confidence that the management system comply with the fishers comply with the for the fishery under management system management system assessment, including, under assessment, under assessment, when required, providing including, when including, providing information of required, providing information of importance to the information of importance to the effective management of importance to the effective management of the fishery. effective management of the fishery. the fishery. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio n The combination of 100% observer coverage in the fishery, close monitoring of fishing activity using electronic surveillance equipment (AIS and VMS), , inspections of vessels at sea, and inspection of landings provides a high degree of confidence that the fishery is compliant with all relevant management measures.

The fishery also assists management through the provision of daily catch data which supports effective stock management, and by working with GSGSSI observers to assist with biological sampling of the catch from the fishery and also bycatch of non-target and ETP species.

The level of compliance with the management system and cooperation between the fishers and GSGSSI meets the SG60. 80 and 100 requirements. d Guidepost There is no evidence of systematic non- compliance. Met? Y Justificatio n Evidence of inspections of vessels has been provided. Only one minor offence has been detected (one position offence in 2015). There is no evidence of

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Monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms ensure the fishery’s PI 3.2.3 management measures are enforced and complied with systematic non-compliance with the management system; in fact all evidence indicates a very high level of compliance. Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000; Interview with References GSGSSI (section Error! Reference source not found. of this report).

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 100 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.2.4

The fishery has a research plan that addresses the information needs of PI 3.2.4 management Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost Research is undertaken, A research plan A comprehensive as required, to achieve provides the research plan provides the objectives consistent management system the management system with MSC’s Principles 1 with a strategic with a coherent and and 2. approach to research strategic approach to and reliable and timely research across P1, P2 information sufficient to and P3, and reliable and achieve the objectives timely information consistent with MSC’s sufficient to achieve the Principles 1 and 2. objectives consistent with MSC’s Principles 1 and 2. Met? Y Y N Justificatio n The GSGSSI “plan for progress” identifies the key strategic priorities for fisheries research, and provides an overview of the work that is being carried out to address these priorities. The strategic priorities have been translated into a more detailed triennial Icefish Fishery Research Plan for the period 2015-18, which is subject to annual review.

The research priorities for the current (2015-2018) research plan are: icefish stock assessment methods; the assessment of stock status and appropriate by- catch limits for the yellowfin notothen (Patagonotothen guntheri); assessment of stock status of other by-catch species; monitoring of icefish diet; monitoring of icefish larval abundance; monitoring icefish and krill predators (Gentoo penguins and fur seals); and medium term changes in fish communities at South Georgia and Shag Rocks.

The GSGSSI commission research by the British Antarctic Survey based at King Edward Point and stock assessment by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in order to deliver these priorities. Stock assessment information is submitted in a timely fashion to the annual CCAMLR Scientific Committee meetings in Hobart, Australia.

The GSGSSI supports the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, which is working to encourage research and build research capacity within and between UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories.

The research plan and research underway meets the SG60 and 80 requirements fully. The SG100 requirements are not fully met because this standard of performance would require a more comprehensive research plan that is also relevant to MSC Principle 3. A score of 80 is therefore appropriate.

b Guidepost Research results are Research results are Research plan and available to interested disseminated to all results are disseminated parties. interested parties in a to all interested parties timely fashion. in a timely fashion and are widely and publicly available. Met? Y Y N Justificatio Results of research are circulated to all interested parties and a summary is n published in the GSGSSI Annual Report. Reports on research findings and

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The fishery has a research plan that addresses the information needs of PI 3.2.4 management plans for the coming year are made at the annual GSGSSI Science-Industry meeting in London, which stakeholders are invited to attend. The results of the stock assessment are discussed at the annual CCAMLR Scientific Committee and published on the CCAMLR website.

Where appropriate, research results from the fishery are also published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Many of these publications are cited in the relevant sections of this report with respect to both the stock status and life history of both the target and non-target species.

The dissemination of research information meets the SG60, 80 and 100 requirements, however the research plan is not available on the GSGSSI website, so the SG100 requirements are not fully met. A score of 80 is therefore appropriate for this SI.

GSGSSI, 2006, 2012a, 2013a, 2015e, 2015f; CCAMLR, 2014, 2015; SAERI, References 2014.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 80 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Evaluation Table for PI 3.2.5

There is a system of monitoring and evaluating the performance of the fishery-specific management system against its objectives PI 3.2.5 There is effective and timely review of the fishery-specific management system Scoring Issue SG 60 SG 80 SG 100 a Guidepost The fishery has in place The fishery has in place The fishery has in place mechanisms to evaluate mechanisms to evaluate mechanisms to evaluate some parts of the key parts of the all parts of the management system. management system management system. Met? Y Y Y Justificatio Key parts of the management system are reviewed on an annual basis by the n CCAMLR scientific committee. The scope of this review is, however, limited to the effectiveness of stock management and the implementation of measures to manage stock status and environmental impacts.

During 2014 the GSGSSI commissioned two independent experts to subject the management system for the South Georgia Toothfish fishery to an external review. This review examined the management of the target stock, the marine environment, and also the system of governance for the fishery (Hanchet & Welsford, 2014). Although most aspects of that review were specific to the stock status and environmental impacts of the toothfish longline fishery, its findings for the system of governance are directly relevant to the icefish trawl fishery, which is subject to identical legal, administrative, institutional and judicial arrangements. It therefore serves as an external review of the performance of the management system for the icefish trawl fishery. The only recommendations that the report made with respect to the management system were to provide better documentation of administrative processes in order to mitigate the risk of corporate knowledge being lost with changes in key staff and to assist prioritizing research. There is evidence (for instance from the 2015-18 research plan for the icefish fishery) that these recommendations are being addressed.

The evaluation mechanisms currently in place are adequate to meet the SG60, 80 & 100 requirements.

b Guidepost The fishery-specific The fishery-specific The fishery-specific management system is management system is management system is subject to occasional subject to regular subject to regular internal review. internal and occasional internal and external external review. review. Met? Y Y N Justificatio n The management of the fishery by GSGSSI is subject to internal review by the Government’s scientific advisors, Cefas. Management is also subject to regular external review at the annual CCAMLR Scientific Committee meetings that are held in Hobart, Australia. Reports of fishing activity and stock assessment are scrutinised by the Scientific Committee, and reports of the status of the fishery are published by CCAMLR along with advice on TAC and any other management measures.

As noted above, the GSGSSI appointed external reviewers to carry out a comprehensive review of all parts of the management system for the toothfish fishery, the findings of which are also relevant to the icefish fishery.

The regular internal and occasional external review of the management system meets the SG60, and 80 requirements, but not SG100.

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There is a system of monitoring and evaluating the performance of the fishery-specific management system against its objectives PI 3.2.5 There is effective and timely review of the fishery-specific management system

CCAMLR, 2013c; GSGSSI, 2014; Hanchet & Welsford, 2014. References

OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: 90 CONDITION NUMBER (if relevant): NA

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Appendix 1.2 Risk Based Framework (RBF) Outputs

The RBF was not used for this assessment.

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Appendix 1.3 Conditions

No conditions are required.

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Appendix 2 Peer Review Reports

Appendix 2.1 Peer Reviewer 1

Overall Opinion

Has the assessment team arrived at an Yes Conformity Assessment Body appropriate conclusion based on the evidence Response presented in the assessment report? Justification:

The report is well researched and the scorings well justified. An Noted overall score above 80 is achieved for all three principles and there is no individual score below 60.

Do you think the condition(s) raised are N/A Conformity Assessment Body appropriately written to achieve the SG80 Response outcome within the specified timeframe? Justification: N/A

If included: Do you think the client action plan is sufficient N/A Conformity Assessment Body to close the conditions raised? Response Justification: N/A

General Comments on the Assessment Report (optional) N/A

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Performance Indicator Review Please complete the table below for each Performance Indicator which are listed in the Conformity Assessment Body’s Public Certification Draft Report.

Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

1.1.1 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.1.2 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.1.3 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.2.1 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.2.2 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.2.3 Yes Yes NA N/A

1.2.4 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.1.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

2.1.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.1.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.2.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.2.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.2.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.3.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.3.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.3.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.4.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.4.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

2.4.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.5.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.5.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.5.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

3.1.1 Yes Yes N/A 3.1.1 d): The 100 score here is correct. We have edited the text to make it However, I do not understand why information clear that no indigenous people on the licencing system is relevant here. are dependent on the fishery for Further, is it correct that the management food. system has an explicit and formal commitment to respect the legal and customary rights of In the remainder of the scoring people dependent on the fishery for their rationale we have considered the livelihood? There are no ‘indigenous’ people performance of the fishery with in the Antarctic. respect to people who are dependent on the fishery for their livelihood – the commercial fishing fleet in this instance.

In this context the operation of the licensing scheme is relevant here, as these establish the “legal rights” that the commercial fleet is dependent upon.

We agree that our wording was itself not sufficiently explicit and have revised the text to make our rationale clearer.

3.1.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

3.1.3 Yes Yes N/A Perhaps mention what the clear long-term Good point. Rather than objectives are, and not just refer to where they reiterating all of them, we have can be found. included the text of two strategic objectives and have made reference to section 3.5.6 of our report which summarises all of the relevant objectives.

3.1.4 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.4 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performance Has all the Does the Will the Justification Conformity Assessment Body Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to Response information and/or rationale raised improve specific scoring issues and any relevant documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score Indicator support performance to this Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

3.2.5 Yes No N/A 3.2.5 a) It is a matter of interpretation whether 3.2.5 a) We agree, and have been it is relevant to consider the reviews of the careful to highlight that it is only the toothfish fishery as review of the present review of the governance of the fishery. But I agree with the pragmatic view toothfish fishery that is relevant taken by the assessment team here. here, as it is identical to the icefish fishery. 3.2.5 b) The external review commisioned in 2014 (referred to under SI a)) does not count as regular. It is not quite clear whether the 3.2.5 b) This is a good point. We external (and regular) review performed by have reviewed our scoring the CCAMLR Scientific Committee represents accordingly. A score of 80 is a review of the management system as such. justified, but not 100. The assessment team only states that these reviews cover ‘fishing activity and stock The overall score for this PI has assessment’. been reduced to 90. This does not affect the assessment outcome.

Any Other Comments Comments Conformity Assessment Body Response None N/A

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Peer Reviewer 2 Overall Opinion Has the assessment team arrived at an No Certification Body Response appropriate conclusion based on the evidence presented in the assessment report? Justification: I am happy with the team’s conclusions for P2 and We have addressed these comments as P3 , but the high scores presented for P1 do not reflect the part of responses to the points raised by uncertainties in the stock “assessment” (essentially, short-term the reviewer below. modeling of a survey catch series that may not fully represent the icefish population) or the absence of target reference points (in the conventional sense, related to MSY). These shortcomings are not helped by the overly technical presentation of the way in which estimates of stock status are used in management, and by the absence of basic information on the biological parameters of icefish and its stock structure.

Do you think the condition(s) raised are N/A Certification Body Response appropriately written to achieve the SG80 outcome within the specified timeframe? Justification: No conditions are raised N/A

If included: Do you think the client action plan is sufficient N/A Certification Body Response to close the conditions raised? Justification: No conditions are raised and therefore there is no N/A action plan.

General Comments on the Assessment Report (optional)

1.4 Strengths and Weaknesses: it is inconceivable that the main weakness in this assessment, the lack of an analytical stock assessment that can be used to show the historic evolution of the population and to estimate reference points, is not mentioned here (noting that this is a priority for the current (2015-2018) fishery research plan).

Acoura: We have expanded upon the existing text in section 3.3.1.

It would be useful to clearly state that this fishery was first assessed in 2009 (by the same team) and certified in 2010, and that this is a re-assessment (it is not obvious in the text).

Acoura: further clarification has been added to the text.

2.1 Assessment Team: Why is the summary information on fulfilment of competency criteria given in 1.1 repeated here, and not a brief CV that allows readers to better understand the team’s experience and expertise? Also, is it no longer necessary to provide a bio for the Peer Reviewers (at 2.2)?

Acoura: The information is related to MSC competence criteria.

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Under 1.3 Summary of Assessment Activities you note that during the assessment of this fishery you confirmed the scope of assessment, the correct scoring approach and the version of the assessment tree to be used. It would be useful to state which version is being used before detailing the Unit(s) of Assessment (UoA) and Scope of Certification Sought at 3.1, etc (seems to be V1.3). Must the assessment really consider ALL fishers using a particular method (e.g. otter trawl) in a given area (e.g. North Sea) fishing for a particular target species stock (e.g. plaice), whether they wish to be MSC certified or not? Clearly, the SG Icefish pelagic trawl fishery which comprises the three client boats satisfies this criterion.

Acoura: Text added to report. All fishers must be considered if they are potentially to be included in a certification (what is now called a Unit of Assessment).

Stock assessment: You note that demersal surveys provide information on population structure as well as abundance, and provide an index for the stock, but they are clearly not sampling the same part of the population as that taken by the fishery (pelagic trawl). You later note that, during daylight hours, juvenile fish are found in the pelagic layer whereas adult fish were found in bottom haul catches. Thus, the relative abundance (indices) of juveniles may be underestimated in relation to those for older fish, and they are more vulnerable to capture by pelagic trawl. Does this mean that the pelagic fishery is effectively under-exploiting the adult population, and that avoidance of overfishing juveniles relies on mesh selection and the move-on rule?

Acoura: we note in section 3.1.1 that while this is the general case, “C. gunnari of all sizes and ages spend time in midwater”. The view is indeed that a bottom trawl survey tend to underestimate C. gunnari biomass (WG-FSA-07/56; WG-FSA-SAM-04/20), and hence the precautionary biomass levels selected as the basis for the TAC is a (considerable) underestimate. With an LM50 of 26-32cm, and observed length distributions peaking around this size or above (dependent upon year class strength, etc.), both adult and juveniles will be exploited by the gear, but the move-on rule will provide a defense against overfishing of juveniles. Details on this and a fuller description of the biology have been added to section 3.3.

This section is not written for the non-technical reader and, given that the assessment methodology is bespoke and possibly peculiar to SG Icefish, it would be very useful to have an account of the way in which stock status is assessed, reference points set and future catch options estimated that is more accessible to a non-specialist. Anyone who does want to make sure that CCAMLR are doing a good job can always go to the original documentation. Acoura: we have attempted to ‘simplify’ the text at the start of each section, but have in the main concentrated those efforts upon the scoring table. This high level of technical detail contrasts with the absence of simple biological information, and an account of the species’ life history is required (and the level of knowledge: you state that growth and natural mortality parameters are poorly estimated): where does the stock spawn; are there particular nursery areas; age at maturity; maximum age observed in the fishery etc. NB there is considerable variation in year-to-year abundance estimates from the demersal survey (assumed to be the only reliable source of population data, apparently), which are possibly biased towards the adult population – does this fit with what is known about the life history/ age structure?

Acoura: We have responded to this comment through expansion of the section on biology in section 3.3. I re-iterate a comment made in my review of the original ice fish assessment in 2009, where I noted that very few fish in samples appeared to exceed 5 years old (no population size or rage age structure is included in the present report), and it was unclear whether we are dealing with a one-off spawner, a population in which older adults are generally invulnerable to the commercial fishery, or a stock that has been severely depleted and is now managed with the implicit aim of avoiding complete collapse. None of this, however, detracts from the very precautionary nature of the way in which exploitation of the stock is managed, but it should be reflected in the relevant scoring issues. Acoura: We now note this within the additional text of section 3.3.

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There is also a lack of information on the gear used and its operation, both during fishing and strategically in relation to fishing opportunities for other species. Because of this, we have no idea how to interpret the observation that, in the last 6 years, catches have been well below the TAC levels. Have the vessels not been fishing for SG Icefish, or have the fish just not been there? Acoura: Text has been added noting CCAMLR’s observation on the differences between TAC and catch levels. Under 3.4.1 The aquatic ecosystem you describe the CCAMLR management framework for conservation of Antarctic marine life and the creation of a MPA covering 1.07 million km2 within the GSGSSI maritime zone north of 60° S, which includes 20,341 km2 of No Take Zones. What are the implications for the operation of the client fishery, if any?

Acoura: Text has been added to report to clarify this. Notably, the provisions of the no-take zones apply to the icefish fishery. Under 3.4.2 Retained and bycatch species you fail to mention that there is a requirement to assess the impacts on vulnerable species taken at lower levels than 5%, in addition to ETP species. Are there any? You later say that move-on rules are also specified for incidental catches, and then that if more than 10% of the catch is smaller than 240 mm total length, the fishing vessel shall move ----. Does this size apply only to Icefish, or to any bycatch species?

Acoura: The assessment of impacts is covered in the scoring table. All bycatch species are listed in Table 3.5. Of course, as fish species come in different sizes, the minimum size requirement applies to icefish.

At 3.4.3, under Marine mammals, you say that orca and sperm whale are monitored in relation to the toothfish fishery. Does this mean as bycatch, or sightings, and is there similar monitoring in the icefish fishery? Also, just how does the SGSSI MPA protect marine predators and from the impacts of fishing if only 2% of it is a NTZ?

Acoura: Re the toothfish fishery, there is no marine mammal bycatch – this is monitoring of populations, principally in relation to depredation. The MPA includes a 12nm closed area around South Georgia (rookery location).

Under 3.4.4 Habitats, you state that skippers in the Icefish fishery avoid contact with seabed assisted by net sensors, etc, but earlier you say that Conservation Measure 25-03 (2011) specifies that the use of net monitor cables on vessels in the CAMLR Convention Area is prohibited. Do the net sensors report remotely to the vessel?

Acoura: This minor point to be clarified with client.

Harmonisation: given that there is one other MSC-certified mackerel icefish fishery, operating in shelf areas within the Australian Fishing Zone surrounding the Heard Island and McDonald Islands and having similar technical regulations, it might be useful to at least compare P1 scores here, since it is currently undergoing re-assessment. Acoura: These are entirely different stocks with separate assessment and management; there is no overlap in fishing operations and no requirement or benefit in any harmonisation activities.

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Performance Indicator Review Please complete the table below for each Performance Indicator which are listed in the Certification Body’s Public Certification Draft Report.

Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

1.1.1 Yes No N/A Whilst a limit biomass reference point As the reviewer notes, the precautionary icefish has been established, there is no escapement policy should keep the stock at sizes evidence that a target reference point above those consistent with fishing at MSY. has been set. Rather, an escapement policy has been developed which is The approach we have used is consistent with more precautionary than fishing at MSY. However, this is not a target reference that of the Certification of some other fisheries point, and it cannot be ascertained within CCAMLR, including the Aker Biomarine whether the stock is fluctuating around a Antarctic krill fishery where the ‘target’ is 75% of target (even if it is assessed to be well B0 after 20 years (essentially a similar above the limit reference level). So, ‘escapement’ policy). We have noted this within whilst the stock has a low probability of SG1.1.1 text. recruitment overfishing, it is not shown to be at a level that maintains high productivity.

1.1.2 Yes No N/A No problems with the limit reference As a very rough estimate to place the argument point, but it is not at all clear that the in context, FMSY ~ 0.5*M. If the high M=0.71 target reference point (the 75 % estimate used in the assessment is taken, this escapement is not a reference point and implies F would equate to taking around 35% the “target” can fluctuate through time) MSY of the estimated biomass. The precautionary is “such that the stock is maintained at a icefish catch level taken in recent years (as level consistent with BMSY or some measure or surrogate with similar intent detailed in Table 3.3) has been <6% of the or outcome”. There is no estimate of (underestimated) icefish biomass.

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Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

BMSY, or FMSY, and it is not possible to Acknowledging that the icefish value of M may be demonstrate that the “target” is an overestimate, and hence a rule of thumb FMSY consistent with a higher biomass level % would actually be lower than 35%, we feel than BMSY. This uncertainty is not taking 6% of the (underestimated) biomass is reflected in the score of 100 for this highly unlikely to be equal to or greater than MSY. 1.1.2.c, and high marks for harvest strategy should be restricted to PI 1.2. Although MSY has not been estimated within the assessment, we view the low level of catches set relative to the available biomass estimates to reflect F < FMSY. Text has been added to SG1.1.2. However, we take the point that this issue means that, however likely the TAC to imply catches below MSY, this cannot be said with a high degree of certainty. The score has therefore been reduced to 80.

1.1.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

1.2.1 Yes No N/A Yes, the harvest strategy is responsive The approach we have taken is, as noted above, to the state of the stock and is designed consistent with that taken for other certified to achieve stock management fisheries under the auspices of CCAMLR. objectives, but these are not reflected in a target reference point (since there isn’t We note that the MSC definition of a TRP is “The one). The problem here is that MSC is encouraging management to achieve point which corresponds to a state of a fishery MSY, and the (rightly, in the absence of and/or resource which is considered desirable a robust assessment, as acknowledged and which management is trying to achieve” at 1.2.4a) precautionary approach taken (V1.3) and that management objectives for this here does not achieve this. Other fishery include those of CCAMLR and GSGSSI

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Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

fisheries that are otherwise stable and (Table 3.8) which do not include exploitation at with no signs of recruit overfishing are MSY in acknowledgement of the ecosystem penalised for not fishing at FMSY, and the approach. We have added text along these lines scoring of this fishery should reflect this. within section 3.3.

1.2.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

1.2.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

1.2.4 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.1.1 Yes Yes N/A Please clarify if the move-on rules apply As clarified above, this relates to icefish only. when >10% of the catch of any/all species is smaller than 240mm.

2.1.2 Yes Yes N/A Are there any species regarded as There are no retained species that are “vulnerable” that are not ETP species? considered main in respect of their vulnerability to fishing operations.

2.1.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.2.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.2.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

2.2.3 Yes No N/A Against 2.2.3b you state that information The information obtained from the fishery is fully provided by the fishery is sufficient to quantified for all bycatches; the information is quantitatively estimate the effects of sufficient to quantitatively estimate outcome fishing on the outcome status of affected status (with respect to biologically based limits) populations, which addresses 2.2.3d with a high degree of certainty – so wherever (monitoring is conducted in sufficient detail to assess ongoing mortalities to all limits exist, the information is sufficient to retained species). This is not the same evaluate against these. as estimating status with a high degree of certainty, which would require stock assessments. Please clarify.

2.3.1 No Probably N/A Either here, or at 2.3.3, it is The only ETP species that would be affected are necessary to present the actual seabirds. These are presented here. species that are considered ETP under the MSC scheme.

2.3.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.3.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.4.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.4.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

2.4.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.5.1 Yes Possibly N/A Although the fishery is highly unlikely to The point made here was that the MSC CR disrupt the key elements underlying recognise that having quantitative information is ecosystem structure and function to a a relatively rare performance level, but this does point where there would be a serious or not preclude a score of 100 in the absence of irreversible harm (SG80), is there such quantification. That such information exists sufficient information that quantifies the role of the icefish fishery in the South for SG provides the evidence required for a 100 Georgia ecosystem to demonstrate that score. it is an exception to the CR rule that “relatively few fisheries have the information needed to address ecosystem effects quantitatively...” i.e. achieve SG100?

2.5.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

2.5.3 Yes No N/A You say that all apparent sources of This seems a little semantic. The main interaction between the fishery and interactions have all been investigated in detail – ecosystem elements have been sufficient detail for the assessment team to investigated in some detail, but is this appraise the significance of these interactions. the same as “have been investigated in detail”, and thus meeting SG100?

3.1.1 Yes Yes N/A N/A

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Performanc Has all the Does the Will the Justification Certification Body Response e Indicator relevant information condition(s) Please support your answers by referring to specific scoring issues and any relevant information and/or rationale raised improve documentation where possible. Please attach available been used to score this the fishery’s additional pages if necessary. used to score this Indicator support performance to Indicator? the given score? the SG80 level? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) (Yes/No/NA)

3.1.2 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.1.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.1.4 Yes Yes N/A

3.2.1 Yes Probably N/A It would be useful here (referring back to Good point. The scoring rationale has been PI 1.2.1) to explain how the modified in response to this comment. management policy’s long-term objectives are consistent with MSC Principles and Criteria when they clearly do not seek to achieve MSY for this stock, erring instead towards the precautionary approach

3.2.2 Yes Yes N/A . N/A

3.2.3 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.4 Yes Yes N/A N/A

3.2.5 Yes Yes N/A N/A

Comments Certification Body Response

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None N/A

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Appendix 3 Stakeholder Submissions

Appendix 3.1 Written Submissions Made by Stakeholders

Appendix 3.1.1 Comments on entry into assessment

None

Appendix 3.1.2 Comments on Public Comment Draft Report

Marine Stewardship Council – Technical Oversight:

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ACOURA MARINE Response

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Main Sub Page Requirement Grade Oversight Description Pi CAB Comment ID ID Reference Version The report mentions that Polar Ltd. cannot currently identify any fishing operators who might join the fishery in 2016, however would welcome their inclusion in the MSC Unit of The point suggested here has been included within Certification. the traceability section of the report. FCR-7.12.1.3 17956 20621 46 Guidance v2.0 It does not mention This is a guidance level comment and does not however that if there relate to scoring. No changes to scoring, rationales was an addition of or conditions have been made. another company sharing the certificate that the CAB would need to consider the traceability factors in FCR 7.12 in relation to them.

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Appendix 3.1.3 Verbal Submissions Made by Stakeholders

No verbal submissions were received, other than during the Site Visit – these having been included in the report and scoring rationales.

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Appendix 4 Surveillance Frequency

Table 7.1: Surveillance level rationale Year Surveillance Number of Rationale activity auditors 1 - 3 Off-Site Audit 1 auditor off-site There are no conditions of certification. Accordingly, it is decided that a reduced surveillance programme is appropriate for the following reasons: a) There are ample opportunities for stakeholder engagement using electronic means, with stakeholders predominantly in UK and Falkland Islands b) Reports relating to the fishery can easily be checked remotely. d) Information relevant to P1, P2 and P3 may be verified remotely e) There is a very high level of transparency in the management system f) There are no aspects of the fishery requiring on-site investigation of activities.

4 On-Site Audit At least on on-site Fourth surveillance to be combined with reassessment Site Visit. A reduced reassessment is expected. To be confirmed following Surveillance 3.

Table 7.2: Timing of surveillance audit Year Anniversary date Proposed date of Rationale of certificate surveillance audit 1-4 June 2016 September 2017 Annual South Georgia Science meetings are held in London in or around September each year. Audits will be combined with this meeting, principally to facilitate the fourth surveillance/reassessment Site Visit.

Table 7.3: Fishery Surveillance Program

Surveillance Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Level Level 3 Off-site surveillance Off-site surveillance Off-site surveillance On-site surveillance audit audit audit audit & re- certification site visit

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Appendix 5 Objections Process

(Decisions arising from an objection to be included here following objections process - if there is no objection, remove this section entirely)

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Appendix 6 Consultancy

ISO/IEC 17065 defines consultancy as:

3.2 Consultancy participation in: a) the designing, manufacturing, installing, maintaining or distributing of a certified product or a product to be certified, or b) the designing, implementing, operating or maintaining of a certified process or a process to be certified, or c) the designing, implementing, providing or maintaining of a certified service or a service to be certified NOTE In (ISO/IEC 17065), the term “consultancy” is used in relation to activities of certification bodies, personnel of certification bodies and organizations related or linked to certification bodies.

If any stakeholder reviewing this report believes that consultancy has been offered by Acoura Marine representatives to this fishery client in the course of this assessment (as defined in ISO/IEC 17065:3.2 above), please advise Acoura head office directly using the contact details below (please include details of any evidence that consultancy has been provided):

Acoura Marine ltd 6 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9DQ Scotland, UK

[email protected]

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