H-58 



PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME 



significant sub-sample of the total observations, including catches of fish and other organisms 

 by commercial or semi-commercial vessels. 



4. Statistical and related data. 



It is convenient to consider together all of the biological and related data of a routine or 

 semi-routine nature, particularly, but not exclusively, those arising from commercial or pilot 

 scale observations. Such data include: statistics of total harvest (with details of species caught, 

 and the location and time of capture); statistics of fishing effort (types of vessel and gear used, 

 number of hauls, days of operations, etc). 



The new data from individual countries or expeditions need to be combined to provide 

 best estimates of quantities such as: the total catch of a species in a certain area during a 

 particular period; the seasonal and year-to-year changes in abundance and distribution, as 

 measured by changes in catch per unit effort; changes in size composition of the catches. The 

 need to check on the reliability, consistency and comparabihty of the data can be time 

 consuming; much of the information will come from commercial sources which may have little 

 immediate interest in the quality of the data submitted. Again, those actively involved in 

 harvesting a resource, but who have not submitted information, will need to be contacted. The 

 data then have to be combined and published in tabulated forms (statistical bulletins, sampling 

 reports) similar to those issued by regional fishery bodies in other parts of the world. This is 

 presently done by the Bureau of International Whaling Statistics with respect to whaling; 

 however, the volume of work would be much greater if harvesting of other resources began on a 

 large scale. 



5. Bibliographic information. 



As the volume of publications on the living resources of the Southern Ocean grows, it 

 becomes more difficult for the individual scientist without assistance to become aware of all 

 significant new publications and to identify relevant material in the past literature. At least 

 three information systems-the Cold Regions Bibliography Project, Library of Congress (which 

 pubUshes Current Antarctic Literature and the Antarctic Bibliography); the Aquatic Sciences 

 and Fisheries Information System, sponsored by FAO and other agencies (which publishes 

 Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts); and Recent Polar Literature, published by the Scott 

 Polar Research Institute-are concerned with the living resources of the Southern Ocean, 

 although they approach the subject as part of three quite different larger themes. There would 

 seem to be little problem for these information services to produce specialized bibliographies of 

 the so-called conventional hterature (ie books, papers in journals) covering the interests of a 

 SCAR project. There would be advantages in this being done by all three (preferably in 

 conjunction) in view of their different coverage of technical and scientific journals. 



The non-conventional literature, including mimeographed reports for meetings, and 

 working party reports, is becoming increasingly important. In particular, most of the up-to-date 

 information on exploratory and experimental fishing for. krill is contained in this type of 

 literature. Since such information is not always published in the normal scientific hterature 

 without long delay, it is essential that every effort is made to ensure wide distribution of the 

 'unconventional' literature and that information on availability is provided to appropriate 

 centres. 



3.4.3 Facilities and commitments required 



1. General. 



None of the information systems briefly outlined above will work unless proper facilities 

 are available, and unless those individuals or institutions with the information provide it to the 

 relevant system. Much of the work could be carried out within existing arrangements (though 

 possibly some minor additional funding would be required to do the work effectively), while 

 some would need some essentially new arrangements. 



