CCAMLR

Noise pollution continues to receive increasing attention in international fora. A number of significant developments since CCAMLR XXIII are documented. The limitations of mitigation measures are discussed and the role of Marine Protected Areas and alternative technologies, as potential methods to ensure protection of cetaceans and other marine species from the wider impacts of noise pollution, are considered.

The results of the ninth annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 2004/05 summer season. There were two sightings of seals wearing neck collars of man-made debris, both were sub-adult males entangled with fishing net. In one case the entangling material had become attached to a rock and the animal was tethered to the ground. The incidence of entanglement at Signy Island, albeit very low, highlights the need for CCAMLR Members to continue their campaign to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of man-made debris at sea.

During the 2004/05 austral summer the fifteenth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from the three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 38 items weighing 10.95kg were collected. The number of items found was higher than the total found during the previous season, though the total mass of the waste recovered had declined (an increase of 85.71% and decrease of 8.31% since 2003/04 respectively). There was an rise in the number of plastic packaging bands (12) from the total recorded the previous season (5), this increase resuming the rise in packaging bands experienced over the previous three seasons with the exception of 2003/2004 and marking a return to what has otherwise proved a declining trend since 1993/94. These findings highlight the fact that they continue to appear as beach debris and indicate that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has yet to prove entirely effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, making up 71.01% of all items recorded, followed by wood at 13.16%. The results of this season's litter survey clearly show that the longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistance to degradation in the marine environment remains a problem. The need for continued monitoring to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea is paramount.

The number of entanglements in the fifteenth consecutive winter surveyed, decreased by 64% from last year. For the first time since records started in 1990, none of the injuries were classified as severe. The seventeenth consecutive summer (2004/05) of reporting also saw a decrease of 64% compared to last year; the lowest number of entanglements recorded since 1989. As in previous years, most individuals observed entangled in debris were juveniles (80% of winter and 50% of summer observations). Of the entanglements where the animal could be sexed, males made up the majority of both seasons. After the high numbers in the previous winterit was encouraging to see no observations of entanglements in plastic packaging bands. Fishing nets were observed to have caused entanglements in both the winterand the summer, this is after an absence of 3 years from the winter records and 2 years from the summer. These findings highlights the need for continued monitoring and increased effort in ensuring correct disposal of debris with the potential to entangle wildlife at sea.

During the fourteenth year of standardised beach surveys of man-made debris at Bird Island, South Georgia, a total of 361 items were collected between April 2003 and March 2004. This represents an increase of 97% on the 183 items recorded in 2002/03 and the highest levels of summer beach debris (232 items) since the 1999/00 season. The total weight of debris collected has also increased by 1.82 kg since last year to 5.39 kg. The highest proportion of marine debris collected comprised miscellaneous items; the largest annual amount of this type of debris since the surveys began in 1990. For the first time no nylon line was recorded compared to a peak of 546 items in 1995/96. However, 11 plastic packaging bands were recovered. Miscellaneous debris increased by 100% since last year (from 175 to 350 pieces), indicating that debris is still being lost by vessels into the marine environment. Therefore, all marine vessels operating in the region should continue to make efforts to comply with the correct waste disposal procedures.

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of fishing gear, marine debris and oil associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. It is the twelfth such annual report. As in previous years, more items of fishing gear (mostly longlining gear) were found in association with wandering albatrosses than with any other species, although the total number has decreased significantly over the past two seasons. Entanglements continue to be observed, hooks being typical of those used in the Patagonian Toothfish industry. Wandering albatrosses also collected the most number of marine debris, though again total quantity is significantly down on previous years. Numbers of debris and fishing gear associated with other species fell from the previous season. A high number of hydrocarbon and paint soiling events occurred, mostly around late March. Whilst the data indicate a reduction in fishing equipment and debris collected there are still significant effects from human/ avain interactions.