CCAMLR

Consistent with CCAMLR’s commitment to continuous improvement, the United States proposes that the Commission update its own System of Inspection to better support the wide range of strong and innovative conservation measures CCAMLR has introduced in recent years to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. CCAMLR’s System of Inspection has not undergone significant revisions in 20 years. A major overhaul is proposed to modernize the boarding and inspection scheme in the Convention Area, reflective of the significant operational, technological, and legal advancements in fisheries enforcement that have occurred during that time as well as the increased recognition of the threat posed by IUU fishing to the conservation of Antarctic living marine resources. The United States invites other CCAMLR Members to support and adopt this proposal.

This draft resolution invites CCAMLR Members to express their support for the participants, mechanisms, and products of science in the context of CCAMLR.

This document summarises French observations of illegal fishing for the past year and reports on implementation of the CCAMLR Inspection System. It includes an analysis of developments in this domain and proposes ways in which the fight against illegal fishing can be stepped up. The geographical area covered in this study comprises statistical Subarea 58.6 and Divisions 58.5.1 and 58.5.2, including the Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard and McDonald EEZs respectively, and Divisions 58.4.3 and 58.4.4, i.e. international waters including fishable depths on Banzare, Elan, Lena and Ob Banks. The surveillance system deployed by France in the French Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) has been operational throughout the whole year. It has proved to be effective, in that there is no longer any sign of IUU fishing in the EEZs. The resource, which was previously so badly affected in the Kerguelen and Crozet EEZs, is now safeguarded. The slight possibility that brief incursions might have taken place is too doubtful to enable any IUU removals to be reported to have taken place in the Crozet and Kerguelen EEZs. However, IUU fishing continues to make its presence felt in the CCAMLR Area in international waters. Although there has been a definite decline in sightings in winter 2008, an increase has nevertheless been observed during the first half of 2009. This season, the IUU fleet has again focused on BANZARE and Elan Banks (Statistical Division 58.4.3). Some IUU activity has, however, been observed on the more scattered seamounts (Ob and Lena), and sometimes at the boundary of the Kerguelen and Heard EEZs (Lameyde Ridge, Galienni Spur, Williams Seamount) All IUU vessels observed seemed to be using gillnets. A number of them stated that some of their crew members, including captains and fishing masters, were nationals of CCAMLR Member countries. A significant step forward in tactics aimed at deterring illicit operations has however been made this season through the completion of a CCAMLR inspection on board an NCP-IUU vessel with the agreement of the Flag State, and the recovery of illicit fishing gear.

At the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the United States proposed the adoption of a resolution urging Antarctic Treaty Parties to recommend the extension of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Antarctic Special Area northward to the Antarctic Convergence. The IMO has designated Antarctica as a Special Area under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I (oil), Annex II (noxious liquid substances), and Annex V (garbage). Recognizing CCAMLR’s and the Antarctic Treaty’s respective interests in protecting the marine environment of Antarctica, the ATCM adopted Resolution 1 (2009) citing the importance of cooperation among Parties in enhancing environmental protection for the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem and directing the ATCM’s Chairman to seek the views of CCAMLR on the possibility of asking the IMO to amend the Antarctic Special Area to extend its boundary northward to the Antarctic Convergence. Those views will be particularly helpful in deliberations on whether to recommend that further steps be taken at the IMO.