CCAMLR

We examined spatio-temporal variability of krill body length and number of bycatch fish as variables of interest based on the scientific observer data for the 2010/2011 fishing season. Both krill length and number of bycatch fish were analyzed by using a hierarchical Bayesian model composed of multistage cluster units (i.e., month, sub-area, fishing gear, flag state, vessel, cruise, and haul) incorporated in a state-space model that separates biological process error from fishery process error and observation error. The parameters of the model were estimated by the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method in WinBUGS with statistical software R. Although the posterior distribution adequately converged for the krill length model, some parameters did not converge well in the bycatch fish model. The interaction between month and sub-areahas large effects on krill length. Krill length varies among cruises, but there is no clear difference among cruises within a vessel. The uncertainty in parameter estimation is large in the sub-area effect and the interaction effect between month and sub-area. For the bycatch fish model, there is no obvious influence in biological process and fishery processes except for cruise effect on the number of bycatch fish. Some cruises on which fishing gear TMB was used showed large number of bycatch fish with large its variance, which suggests the necessity of reviewing the procedure of data collection with considering the difference of fishing gear.

Notification of Chile’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of China’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Germany’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Japan’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Korea’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Norway’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Poland’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

Notification of Ukraine’s intent to conduct krill fishing in 2012/13

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is widely recognised as a leading international organisation in developing best-practice in the ecosystem approach to managing fisheries.  CCAMLR provides a useful case study for examining the impediments to implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) because it has EBFM principles embedded within its convention rather than having to make a transition from single-species management to an ecosystem approach.  CCAMLR is demonstrating that EBFM does not need to equate to complexity in management and that methods can be developed to decide on spatial management strategies for fisheries so that predators of target species are not disproportionately affected as a result of spatial and/or temporal dependencies of predators on their prey.  Science has an important role in implementing EBFM, not only in measuring and assessing the status of target species and their predators, but also in designing cost-effective management strategies and in resolving disputes.  Importantly, attention needs to be given to developing the capability and tools to overcome differences amongst scientists in providing advice to managers.  The CCAMLR experience suggests that voluntary participation by fishing States in CCAMLR and its consensus environment without adequate safeguards do not provide strong foundations for achieving, in the long term, the ecosystem-based principles for managing fisheries when there is any degree of scientific uncertainty.  Some solutions to these issues are discussed.  Overall, broader-than-CCAMLR solutions amongst the international community as well as the continued commitment of CCAMLR Members will be required to resolve these issues.