A preliminary analysis of longline fishing activity related to the bathymetry around South Georgia ...

• Main Authors: Wakeford, R.C., Belchier, M., Morris, P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2004 - T - Theme session 2024
• Subjects: Fisheries and aquaculture; Technologies and data; Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; Antarc*; Antarctic; Patagonian Toothfish
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.25349857.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/A_preliminary_analysis_of_longline_fishing_activity_related_to_the_bathymetry_around_South_Georgia/25349857/1

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a large, predatory, nototheniid fish that is found around sub-antarctic islands and seamounts and in the cold temperate waters off Patagonia. Adult fish are usually found living close to the seabed at depths of 500 to 2,000 m whilst younger fish inhabit shallower waters. The fish, which can attain lengths in excess of 2 metres and weigh over 70 kg, are slow growing, taking between 6-10 years to reach sexual maturity and may live for more than 50 years. A longline fishery for toothfish has operated around the island of South Georgia since the early 1990’s. Between 10 and 18 vessels are licensed to fish within the South Georgia maritime zone each year. Longlines of baited hooks are usually set in water depths of 1,000 m around the South Georgia shelf edge. However, fishing effort around the island is not uniform, as fishers have established which areas are the most productive. The available ...