CCAMLR fisheries are managed on an annual cycle which begins on 1 December each year, and ends on 30 November of the following year (Conservation Measure 32-01). This period is referred to as the ‘fishing season’, and fisheries may operate throughout this period or during shorter, defined intervals within the period.

Fishing seasons are referred to by a standard abbreviation based on the years of the start and end of each season. For example, the 2011/12 fishing season refers to the period 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2012.