CCAMLR

In 2008, CCAMLR agreed that the establishment of a representative system of marine protected areas (RSMPA) by 2012 was a priority. This assessment shows that the Scientific Committee and Commission can be kept informed of progress towards this goal using a relatively short list of simple criteria that are based on robust ecological and experimental design principles, and the Commission’s objectives. This study indicates that the currently designated marine protected areas provide important contributions towards a RSMPA, however we are not there yet. Establishment of the proposed MPAs in Domain 1, Weddell Sea and East Antarctica would make significant contribution towards a RSMPA under a scientific definition of representation, and enable CCAMLR to focus efforts on the remaining values yet to be included in proposals.

The CAMLR Scientific Committee in 2017 reviewed the scientific background document SC-CAMLR- XXXVI/BG/28. Germany was asked to carry out further work, in particular as regards the issues and questions raised at WG-EMM-17 and SC-CAMLR-XXXVI with respect to the WSMPA proposal (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.1-5.14).

Chapter 1 reflects on the recommendations concerning the suitability of some data layers for Marxan analyses, such as the data layer representing the distribution of Antarctic krill larvae (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.9 - 5.10). Chapter 2 discusses the recommendations concerning the suitability of the cost layer developed for the WSMPA Marxan analysis (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, Annex 6, §§ 5.10 and 5.12) and presents the updated cost layer. Chapter 3 provides a new data layer on juvenile Antarctic toothfish, and Chapter 4 presents a robustness testing of the WSMPA Marxan model.

The D1MPA planning process has been characterized as inclusive and transparent taking into account Members’ varying interests. In 2017 a D1MPA preliminary proposal was introduced to the Scientific Committee which scientific background was considered comprehensive and appropriate, and where further consideration of fishing activities were highlighted as needed to develop an agreed set of boundaries. This paper provides further information in relation to krill fisheries and the decisions taken in support of the D1MPA proposal, also including comments from the D1MPA Expert Group.

Domain 1 faces changes to the climate and changes in the operation of the fishery, in which the recent D1MPA preliminary proposal is of particular importance. In this context, the identification of a comprehensive network of reference areas across environmental gradients can play a major role and have significant benefits in understanding change. Existing monitoring programmes and study sites in Domain 1, including integrating programmes such as SOOS, are a strong foundation on which to build scientific reference areas and facilitate coordination and cooperation among Members, as part of a Research and Monitoring Plan for D1MPA.

A principal concern with implementing marine protected areas (MPAs) is the displacement of fishing effort from closed areas, which may result in new and unexpected consequences for both fisheries and the ecosystem. Understanding such outcomes is critical in the Southern Ocean, where MPAs are actively being discussed for achieving a range of protection and sustainable use objectives. Here, we evaluated two MPA scenarios and associated displacements of the Antarctic krill fishery in the Scotia Sea by quantifying their potential to affect risks of depleting krill-dependent predators and costs to the fishery. We employed both a static assessment (based on the design of each MPA scenario and the distributions of krill fishing and krill-dependent predators) and a dynamic risk assessment (based on a minimally realistic, spatially explicit ecosystem model), and considered three alternative redistributions of displaced catches. We found that neither MPA scenario increased the risks of depleting krill predators when closed areas included ca. 80% of predator foraging distributions, but differences between the scenarios suggest ways to improve protection of seals and penguins in the Scotia Sea. Both scenarios could increase total fishery yields, but this benefit came with costs. Realized catches were smaller proportions of overall catch limits, and there was a greater likelihood that low krill densities would cause the fishery to suspend operations. The three alternatives for redistributing displaced fishing had little effect on risks to predators, but evenly redistributing displaced fishing among open areas could be more costly for the fishery than permitting vessels to self-sort among the same areas. Collectively, our results suggest a well-designed MPA in the Scotia Sea may protect krill-dependent predators, preclude requirements for further spatial management of fishing outside its boundaries, and substitute for spatially explicit catch limits in the Antarctic krill fishery.

A significant spatial-temporal variability of the oceanological environmental conditions influencing the formation of biological productivity zone in Subareas 48.5 and 48.6 is revealed.  Analysis of available information for the development of the stock hypothesis for Antarctic toothfish stock in Area 48 requires consideration of environmental variability, especially with the fragmentary nature of these data at all stages of the toothfish life. Otherwise, the results may be insufficiently sound for the development   of an adequate stock hypothesis for D. mawsoni in Area 48.

The development of this stock hypothesis requires the availability of actual data obtained in course of the adequate researches.  Large-scale international multi-vessel surveys in Area 48 as a source of this actual data are proposed.  Some proposal for these surveys have been shown in WS-SM-18/* by the Russian Federation.

The use of MPAs for spatial management in the Convention Area requires, above all, clarity regarding the requirements for the available scientific evidence and information to designate MPAs, including its rationale, planning and functioning. The corresponding proposals are discussed in this paper.

Taking into account the results of the WS-DmPH workshop (Berlin, 2018), proposals are being considered to obtain actual adequate data for the development of a hypothesis on the Dissostichus mawsoni life history and to facilitate the assessment of its stock in Area 48.

The Indian sector of the subantarctic region hosts large populations of top predators which are listed at various level of vulnerability by the IUCN and which are monitored by several bio-logging programs since the late 1980s. Here we analyze more than 800 individuals from seven different pelagic species of albatross, penguins and pinnipeds. Merging our analysis with previous results, we find that the trophic hotspots constitute a network connected by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) through a bottom up effect. When mapped on jurisdictions, this network of hotspots appears to be only partly protected in existing MPAs under national jurisdictions. This study suggests that some High seas areas need to be considered within the CCAMLR area but also the SIOFA.

Following the submission of a first draft Conservation Measure for establishing a MPA in the Weddell Sea (WSMPA) to CCAMLR 2016, Germany has carried out further work on the WSMPA proposal and will submit a revised CM proposal to CCAMLR 2018.

This document informs The Workshop on Spatial Management (WS-SM-2018) about the following revisions carried out to the WSMPA proposal which would fall under the remit of, or might be of interest to participants at the WS-SM 2018:

1. Unifying the previously two separate WSMPA parts into one coherent WSMPA by closing the gap on the eastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula;
2. Adjustment of the habitat of adult Antarctic toothfish in statistical areas 48.6 and 48.5 as a result of further analyses and modelling of the habitat of adult Antarctic toothfish;
3. Establishment of scientific reference areas in statistical subarea 48.6 for monitoring the effects of harvesting on Antarctic marine living resources and for achieving the WSMPA specific objectives.
4. Changes to the WSMPA Management Plan and the WSMPA Research and Monitoring Plan, inter alia, by taking into account the outcome of the CCAMLR Workshop for the Development of a D. mawsoni Population Hypothesis for Area 48.

The document also seeks the advice of WS-SM-2018 as regards the design of the fisheries research zone (FRZ) foreseen in the draft WSMPA Conservation Measure and the establishment (number, location and size) of unfished scientific reference areas in the habitat for adult Antarctic toothfish in statistical subarea 48.6 (see point 3 above), which could be used for comparative studies into the potential impacts of D. mawsoni fishing operations on the ecosystems and food webs, of which this species is a part.