CCAMLR

Under Conservation Measure 41-01 (Annex C - Tagging Program for Dissostichus spp. in Exploratory Fisheries), the flag States of fishing vessels participating in exploratory fisheries are responsible for ensuring the tagging of Dissostichus spp., tag recovery and correct reporting. At CCAMLR XXVI (2007), “the Commission requested the Secretariat to annually prepare and submit a table for SCIC’s consideration containing data on individual Dissostichus spp. tagged and released, and the tagging rate reported by vessels operating in the exploratory fisheries” (CCAMLR-XXVI Report, paragraph 8.12). It is expected that the data will be made available to SCIC at this year’s meeting. Australia undertook an assessment of compliance with the CCAMLR tagging program based on information contained in the Fish Stock Assessment Report 2007 and discovered a high level of non-compliance. The lack of reliable information can affect stock assessments and therefore impact on the ability of the Commission to meet its objectives of conserving marine living resources. Australia considers that non-compliance with research obligations is a significant issue and should be considered further by the Commission, including adopting appropriate and proportionate mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Australia is encouraged by the willingness of Members to support the orderly and precautionary development of the krill fishery as it continues to expand. Currently Contracting Parties as well as Members are able to participate in krill fisheries. This is different to the approach taken by the Commission for new and exploratory fisheries as only Members can participate in these fisheries. To ensure a consistent approach to the management of CCAMLR fisheries (which CCAMLR is currently seeking to achieve) and the best regulation possible to achieve the orderly and precautionary development of the krill fishery, Australia recommends that Conservation Measure 21-03 be amended so that it only applies to Members.

At CCAMLR XXVI there was significant discussion in the Commission regarding a notification to conduct pair trawling operations in the krill fisheries in the 2007/08 season. During the discussion it was suggested that as the pair trawling method had not previously been used in the CCAMLR Area and there were no established data collection and analysis methods, the use of pair trawling in the CCAMLR Area constituted a new fishery. To clarify the CCAMLR requirements with regards to new fishing gear, and to ensure a clear and consistent approach to all CCAMLR fisheries, Australia proposes that a footnote be attached to the section on “Fishing technique” in Annex A of Conservation Measure 21-03 such that a krill fishing notification using new fishing gear should be notified under Conservation Measure 21-01.

Australia has identified three general improvements to conservation measures that would assist the operation of CCAMLR in meeting its overall objectives. In summary Australia recommends that: o Conservation Measure 10-02 paragraph 4(x) specify that high quality photographs must be submitted; o the IUU Vessel Lists include all subsequent sightings or IUU related activities of listed vessels by amending Conservation Measure 10-06 paragraph 16 and Conservation Measure 10-07 paragraph 20; and o a sentence be added to Conservation Measure 10-03 paragraph 1 specifying that the term fishing vessel includes mother ships and any other vessels involved in the commercial exploitation of living marine resources.

SC-CAMLR and its working groups have previously identified the lack of review of scientific research conducted within the CCAMLR Area as a key issue. At the 2007 CCAMLR meetings, there was agreement that Conservation Measure 24-01 should be reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with its intended purpose. Furthermore, SC-CAMLR agreed that if surveys are to be approved under this measure, they must provide a reasonable certainty that the state of knowledge will be advanced, and as such all notifications which propose taking toothfish should be required to forward research proposals to WG-FSA for review. Noting the recommendations of SC-CAMLR Australia proposes that revisions be made to Conservation Measure 24-01 to ensure that: • Scientific research proposals for vessels using long line gear and taking more than one (1) tonne of Dissostichus spp. would be subject to review by SC-CAMLR; • Scientific research proposals for vessels using trawl gear and pots and taking more than ten tonnes of Dissostichus spp. would be subject to review by SC-CAMLR; • Scientific research proposals for vessels using fishing gear other than specified and taking more than zero (0) tonnes of Dissostichus spp. would be subject to review by SC-CAMLR; • Scientific research proposals for vessels taking more than ten tonnes of Champsocephalus gunnari would be subject to review; • Summary results are made available to all Members via the Member-only part of the CCAMLR website, and full reports are submitted to SC-CAMLR, the results of which are considered by the Committee and its working groups; and • Conservation Measure 10-04 (Automated satellite-linked Vessel Monitoring Systems) applies to scientific research undertaken in the CCAMLR Area.

Because the requirements to participate in a New or Exploratory Fishery are substantially different, the United States proposes to combine the two measures so that needed information and data are gathered and submitted to CCAMLR in all years of the fishery. The proposed CM attempts to ensure a minimum change in existing text which has already been agreed by the Commission in the existing two measures. The requirements under the proposed merger are the same as now required by the Exploratory Fishery CM. The definition of an Exploratory Fishery has simply been expanded to include the first year of the fishery.

The United States wishes to submit for the consideration of other Commission Members a proposal to revise CCAMLR’s Scheme of International Scientific Observation. The proposal attempts to clarify requirements and responsibilities relevant to CCAMLR International Scientific Observers, Designating Members, and Receiving Members.