In the 1990’s IUU fishing for toothfish in the Convention Area was estimated to be over six times the catch reported by authorised fishing vessels. At that time, CCAMLR was aware that other Antarctic marine stocks had not recovered from overfishing in the 1970’s and identified that addressing IUU fishing was a critical need. Although it is believed that the level of IUU fishing in the Convention Area has declined it still remains a concern for the Commission and has the potential to seriously undermine CCAMLR’s conservation objectives.

CCAMLR has adopted conservation measures to specifically address the threat of IUU fishing including the establishment of the Contracting Party IUU Vessel List (Conservation Measure 10-06) and the Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List (Conservation Measure 10-07) and the control of nationals (Conservation Measure 10-08).

IUU vessel sighting reports

Members that detect possible or known IUU vessels in the Convention Area, through direct observation by their own vessels or during surveillance activities, are required to provide the details of these sightings to CCAMLR.  The Flag States of the sighted vessels are notified and encouraged to investigate the activities of such vessels and to advise CCAMLR of steps taken to investigate and eliminate IUU activity in the Convention Area.

Contracting Party and non-Contracting Party Vessel Lists

CCAMLR annually reviews available information, including Member sighting reports, on IUU fishing activities and has established the Contracting Party IUU Vessel List and the Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List. These lists are made available to the Members, non-Contracting Parties, other inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and the public and are updated regularly as new information is provided by Members and non-Contracting Parties.

Vessels included on the Contracting Party IUU Vessel List or the Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List are deemed by the Commission to have engaged in IUU activities that undermine the effectiveness of CCAMLR conservation measures and threaten toothfish stocks, marine habitats and by-catch species in the Convention Area.