Conclusion

CCAMLR’s management of the marine resources and systems for which it is responsible has had to be innovative and dynamic. It has had to take account of high levels of uncertainty in a way which strives to ensure that the Convention’s objectives are met in a manner which is practical and achievable. The recently agreed Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for toothfish illustrates the latter well. This scheme aims to: (i) monitor the international toothfish trade (ii) identify the origins of toothfish imports or exports, (iii) determine whether toothfish catches have been made in accordance with CCAMLR conservation measures, and (iv) gather catch data for the scientific evaluation of toothfish stocks.

The toothfish CDS has added a new dimension to CCAMLR’s precautionary approach as it forces fishers to become accountable for their actions through having to justify their rights to fish in a manner consistent with responsible management of the resource concerned. In an age of increasing globalisation, CCAMLR stands to be judged well as an organisation which promotes responsible fishing and which serves to preserve the fragile ecological balances characteristic of the Southern Ocean.