CCAMLR

The present scientific report presents the analysis of a database compilation in order to describe the macrobenthic communities and geochemical proxies biogenic opal and total organic carbon (TOC) present on the seafloor of Domain 1. The soft sediment macrobenthic communities were analyzed from different approaches. We describe the macrobenthos by means of traditional parameters such as abundance and biomass. The biodiversity of two selected and taxonomical well-studied taxa (Polychaeta and Mollusca) was also analyzed. Additionally, we include a functional treat as the secondary production. We also used geochemical proxies biogenic opal and total organic carbon (TOC). We observed highest biogenic opal and TOC in sites with highest density of benthic organisms. Although, sampling effort can play an important role in the results, data suggests that the seafloor around King George Island can be considered as a hot-spot of diversity as well as production, and the geochemical proxies are in agree with the highest secondary production presented in this study. Seems to be that these proxies are indicators of “hot spots” zone and mimic the high water productivity in these zones. Thus, the present report confirms the importance of studying important benthic areas as it can provide valuable information in the determination of important areas for conservation.

The United States proposes to amend the CCAMLR electronic catch documentation system (e-CDS) and Conservation Measure 10-05 to better document the harvest and subsequent movements of Dissostichus spp. Under the current system, Dissostichus spp. are documented when they are landed by the harvesting vessel or by the transshipment vessel at landing. This proposal seeks to document the harvesting vessel’s catch, as well as the amount and description of catch that is transshipped, and to capture multiple landings from a single harvest event. These improvements will enable the use of the e-CDS to track all Dissostichus spp. moving in trade back to the original harvest event and strengthen the ability of CCAMLR Members to prevent trade in illegally-harvested fish.

The delegations of Argentina, Australia, Chile, the European Union, Norway, Uruguay, and the United States propose to amend CCAMLR Conservation Measure 32-18, as proposed also during the 2016 annual meeting, to prohibit shark finning and require that all fins of any shark that is incidentally caught and that cannot be released alive remain naturally attached through the point of first landing. This is consistent with United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions on sustainable fisheries adopted by consensus every year since 2007.

CCAMLR Science provides a valuable mechanism for promoting the science undertaken in connection with CCAMLR and for raising CCAMLR’s profile within the international scientific community. However, in recent years there has been a decrease in the number of papers submitted to CCAMLR Science for their publication. Taking into account the review made by the CCAMLR Secretariat, the subsequent recommendation made by the Scientific Committee, and that the creation of marine protected areas (MPA) in the Area of the Convention have become one of the main issues currently debated in CCAMLR, Argentina and Chile propose the publication of a special volume of CCAMLR Science, addressing the issue of CCAMLR MPAs.

Domain 1 is a complex region where multiple interests and activities coexist, including research and fishing activities. The complexity of its management is reflected in the numerous discussions held at the Commission, the Scientific Committee and the Working Groups during recent years. These have included the increase of the catch level of krill (CM 51-07), the development of a risk assessment and the feedback management strategy, and lately the designation of a Marine Protected Area. In addition, considering the significant increase in the environmental variability and climate trends observed in the region, coupled with the difficulties associated with disentangling the different factors driving such changes, a new approach involving the views of multinational experts is required, in order to identify the best way to manage the fisheries in the region. The Domain 1 complex scenario and its difficulties have been recognized by WG-EMM and considered by the Scientific Committee. Following discussions held during the WG-EMM-17, the Working Group agreed with the proposal to create a Domain 1 MPA Expert Group (WG-EMM report para. 4.21). This paper introduces the Expert Group to the Scientific Committee and presents the draft Terms of Reference to be discussed during its 2017 meeting.

In this regard, Argentina and Chile propose that the Scientific Committee considers the creation of a Domain 1 MPA Expert Group and its Terms of Reference, and invite Members and Observers to comment on the proposal.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile. Specifically, this paper describes the rationale behind the development of the Domain 1 MPA model, which was based on the identification of Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC, WG-EMM-17/23, SC-CCAMLR XXXVI/XX) and considerations of krill fishery management and climate change, which was introduced and discussed during WG-EMM 2017. 

Given the complexity of Domain 1 and the large number of human activities in the region including research, fishing activities and tourism, the creation of a multinational Expert Group was proposed during WG-EMM-17 (WG-EMM-17, paragraph 4.2). This could constitute an appropriate mechanism to further discuss the Domain 1 MPA model, as well as the most adequate Research and Monitoring Plan, in order to achieve a management that ensures protection while allowing rational use of the resources, thus, in accordance with the Objectives of the Convention (WG-EMM-17/23, SC-CAMLR XXXVI/XX).

Within the multinational approach undertaken so far, Argentina and Chile invite Members and Observers to consider the preliminary Domain 1 MPA model and encourage them to participate in future work towards the designation of a CCAMLR Domain 1 MPA through the Expert Group or other agreed mechanisms.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile. The process has resulted in the compilation, analysis, integration and display of a large amount of information, not only contributing to the best science available but also providing a platform for the sharing and visualization of information, highlighting the multinational approach in all stages of the decision making process. In particular, this paper describes the identification of Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC) in Domain 1 - as introduced during the last EMM meeting (WG-EMM-17/23)-, which included exhaustive analyses of hundreds of spatial data layers, extensive calibration of Marxan parameters and consideration of multiple alternative spatial configurations. To assist in the MPA planning process and future management, Domain 1 was thought in terms of three ecoregions (Northwestern and Southwestern Antarctic Peninsula and South Orkney Islands) that differ not only in their morphology, geology and ecology, but also in their current management and resilience to climate change.

The identification of PAC constitutes the initial step towards the development of a Domain 1 MPA that considers both conservation and rational use of marine resources. PAC can also serve other research and management strategies by providing areas where important benthic and pelagic habitats, processes and species spatially coincide, further improving the decision making process. 

In this regard, Argentina and Chile propose the Scientific Committee considers the PAC identified in Domain 1 and its relevance to the MPA planning process and other research and management strategies.

Information is presented on a Workshop for Training Russian Scientific Observers and Inspectors to work in fisheries in the CCAMLR Convention Area held at the AntlantNIRO Institute in Kaliningrad (21–25 August 2017).