CCAMLR

In this document, France presents to CCAMLR the status of its thoughts and work to assist in the establishment of new Marine Protected Areas in its Exclusive Economic Zones at Kerguelen and Crozet as well as in the Dumont d’Urville area.

The present work includes results of seven-year own author’s research and presents generalised knowledge about distribution and biology of the antarctic toothfish in different sectors of the Antarctica.

In 2011 and 2012 in Subarea 88.3 research fishing for toothfish has been conducted by Russia. In 2011 fishing was carried out by Russian longliner “Sparta” out and in 2012 it was longliner “Chio Maru 3”. Research program was performed by scientific observers from VNIRO (Moscow, Russia) and YugNIRO (Kerch, Ukraine). Totally, during the work period 44 longlines were set at a depth from 625 to 2336 m. Total number of set hooks amounted 171096. In 2011 research fishing covered SSRU B, C and D, and in 2012 ice conditions were much worse and longlines were set only in SSRU C. Collected in research fishing data contributes to the achievement of the main objectives of research for the data-poor area: estimate of number index, evaluation of fishing capacity of Subarea 88.3, preparation of hypotheses about the ratio of fish in the area and the total stock as well as studying of biological parameters associated with productivity (SC-CCAMLR-XXX/5, par. 2.26-2.29). Toothfish's biomass was calculated by the accepted in SC-CCAMLR-XXX/5 p.2.40 (ii) formula. Value of toothfish`s stock by SSRUs and all details of stock assessment methods are described in the present work.

The delegation of the United States proposes the establishment by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (Commission or CCAMLR) of a marine protected area (MPA) in the Ross Sea Region (“Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area”).  In 2010, the Commission endorsed the Scientific Committee’s work program to develop a representative system of Antarctic MPAs with the aim of conserving marine biodiversity in the Convention Area.  Consistent with this goal and to safeguard the exceptional ecological value and scientific importance of the Ross Sea Region for current and future generations, our delegation proposes to establish this MPA to conserve marine living resources, preserve ecological structure and function, protect vital ecosystem processes and areas of ecological significance, and maintain a reference area for scientific research and monitoring.  This proposal is consistent with Conservation Measure 91-04 (2011) and the scientific conclusions and processes, endorsed by the Scientific Committee, from which the United States developed its original MPA scenario for the Ross Sea Region.

To prevent the entry of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) into commerce, CCAMLR’s catch documentation scheme tracks shipments from the point of harvest through final import for consumption.  The move, in 2010, to a fully electronic Catch Documentation Scheme (e-CDS) has improved the tracking of toothfish moving in trade and decreased the potential for fraud.  It has greatly enhanced the ability of Members, as well as non-Members cooperating with CCAMLR by participating in the CDS, to ensure that the toothfish entering their markets were harvested in a manner consistent with CCAMLR conservation measures.  Other organizations and arrangements seeking to establish effective catch documentation schemes look to the e-CDS as a model of effective and efficient product traceability.  However, there are some improvements that could be made in order to clarify ambiguous fields, upgrade the CDS to take advantage of more modern electronic documentation tools in general, and ensure the requirements are operationally feasible.