The work of the Scientific Committee is expanding with a duplication of some functions in different working groups. There is also a need to give time to emerging issues for which there is insufficient time at present in the existing working groups, such as consideration of marine protected areas in a CCAMLR context. It is proposed that the working groups of the Scientific Committee be revised to streamline the work and to help reduce the number of groups needing to be attended by our experts. The Working Groups are proposed to be:
i) Biology, ecology and conservation – to discuss the broad issues and ideas about how the Antarctic marine ecosystem works and general conservation requirements, including the use of marine protected areas in the CCAMLR context,
ii) Development of assessment methods – to develop methods for (a) assessing fish, krill and bycatch populations, (b) status of predator and other populations and habitats, (c) ecosystem monitoring, and (d) estimation of yield as well as (e) methods for evaluating management systems, and
iii) Assessments – to use approved and evaluated methods to assess (a) fish, krill and bycatch populations, (b) status of predator and other populations and habitats, (c) status of the ecosystem, and (d) yield.
The ad hoc Working Group on Incidental Mortality arising from Fishing could be spread across all three with a more dedicated report in the Assessment working group as is the current practice.