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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2026; 1(75): 34-56
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.01.034
UDC 639.2.081:551.467(269.56)

Received: 21.01.2026
Received in revised form: 23.02.2026
Published: 31.03.2026

Analysis of the impact of hydrometeorological and ice conditions on the efficiency of the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni Norman, 1937) fishery in the Ross Sea

M. Zhuk, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0009-0004-8105-9967, State Institution “Institute of Fisheries, Marine Ecology and Oceanography”, Kyiv
O. Lavryniuk, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0003-3145-3689, Polissia National University, Zhytomyr

Purpose. Identification and analysis of causal relationships between extreme hydrometeorological anomalies of December 2025 in the Ross Sea and the operational efficiency of the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni Norman, 1937) longline fishery to improve forecasting models of the fishery situation.

Methodology. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of the results of the activities of the international fleet (in particular the vessel “Sae In Master”) in subarea 88.1 and the Special Research Zone (SRZ). The methodology includes retrospective analysis of CPUE (catch per unit effort) based on CCAMLR reporting and direct ship-based monitoring. The hydrometeorological block includes recording of air temperature, ocean surface temperature (OST), atmospheric pressure and wind vectors. Actinometric methods for assessing insolation and radar ice reconnaissance were applied. Biological data were obtained through mass measurements of the catch, ichthyological analysis of damage by necrophagous (Amphipoda) and visual recording of associated fauna according to the CCAMLR methodology.

Findings. December 2025 has become a period of “thermal conservation” of the water area. Due to the abnormal cloudiness (66%), which created a “screen effect”, the influx of solar radiation was insufficient to destroy the ice. At an average air temperature of -1.9°C and a TPO of -1.0°C, the ice cover with a score of 8–10 points remained stable, corresponding to the winter regime. The dominance of westerly air mass transfer (76%) led to constant upwelling and compression of ice fields. This caused a drop in daily catch to a critical 1-3 tons per vessel and an increase in technical losses of fishing gear up to 53% due to aggressive drift. Biological degradation of the catch was detected: forced extension of the exposure of longlines led to mass skeletonization of fish by necrophagous amphipods.

Originality. The impact of low insolation on the delay of ice melt in the Ross Sea under conditions of modern climate instability has been detailed for the first time. It has been proven that under certain synoptic conditions (the “thermos” effect), even in the summer period, the formation of a winter hydrological regime is possible, which radically changes trophic chains (intensification of the role of necrophages).

Practical Value. The need to revise longline fishing strategies in seasons with high ice cover albedo has been substantiated. The results allow optimizing the timing of fishing fleet deployment, taking into account the risks of equipment loss during western ice drift, and predicting a decrease in product quality due to amphipod activity during hauling delays.

Keywords: ice conditions, insolation, CPUE, scavengers, Special Research Zone, meteorological anomalies.

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