CCAMLR

This paper summarises data collected by Scheme of International Scientific Observation observers and vessels, of incidental interactions between fishing vessels, seabirds and marine mammals during fishing activities undertaken during the 2019 season. A short report is also detailed on a large seal morality event which occurred at the end of the 2018 season. Incidental mortality numbers for longline fisheries in which seabird mortalities have been reported are presented with the data from observers and vessel supplied data. Based on data received up to 8 October 2019, the extrapolated total number of birds killed is 103.

In 2016 the Commission adopted Conservation Measure (CM) 91-05, establishing the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (RSRMPA). Annex B of this CM specifies the RSRMPA specific objectives and the Management Plan. In addition, Annex C specifies the Priority elements for Scientific Research and Monitoring, including research and monitoring priorities, and research and monitoring questions that should be addressed.

We recall the objectives of the RSRMPA and the research questions for research and monitoring for the RSRMPA. This paper updates the research and monitoring activities for New Zealand and Italy, as encouraged by CM 91-05 paragraph 16(i)–(ii), noting that other Members are also undertaking relevant research.

New Zealand and Italy recommend that Members continue to share data and research outcomes relevant to the objectives of the RSRMPA.

In response to a request from the Commission and Scientific Committee, the Secretariat worked intersessionally and communicated with Members to develop draft technical guidelines to assist vessels which encounter unidentified fishing gear in the Convention Area. The work is summarised, and the draft guidelines, which were published to the CCAMLR e-group in 2019.

De conformidad con la MC 10-10, párrafo 2(i) y con el procedimiento detallado en la COMM CIRC 19/76, la Secretaría ha preparado el informe resumido de la CCRVMA sobre el cumplimiento (informe resumido) basado en los Informes preliminares de la CCRVMA sobre el cumplimiento (informes preliminares), las respuestas recibidas de las Partes contratantes y las calificaciones preliminares de cumplimiento propuestas. Los informes preliminares identificaron 16 posibles casos de incumplimiento de medidas de conservación que atañen a 7 medidas de conservación y a 6 Partes contratantes en el período del 1 de agosto de 2018 al 31 de julio de 2019 (el período del informe). La Secretaría distribuyó los informes preliminares el 7 de agosto de 2019. El anexo 1 de este documento contiene el informe resumido con las respuestas de las Partes contratantes.

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is a Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC). The report compiles scientific evidence to make clear the devastating impacts that climate change are having on the oceans and polar regions. In this paper, ASOC provides a short overview of some of the report’s key findings and recommends that CCAMLR take collective responsibility to address the growing environmental crises of climate change and biodiversity loss with decisive action including:

1. Complete the planned representative system of MPAs as an immediate response, including areas designed to enhance climate resilience.
2. Complete and agree to a climate change response plan which includes climate change information when setting catch limits and approving conservation measures and implication statements in all working papers and fisheries reports.
3. Commit to research on climate-related changes to the Antarctic ecosystem, including ocean heat uptake, ocean acidification, and ecosystem and species changes, and incorporate this information into precautionary conservation measures.

The objective of the MESOPP project ‘Mesopelagic Southern Ocean Prey and Predators' is to :

1. Make an inventory of science challenges, stakes and existing policies and develop tools to federate and structure the community;
2. Start to organise the related marine ecosystem community between the EU and Australia through two implementation actions
3. Propose a R&D roadmap to support a large international cooperation on marine ecosystems based on an e-infrastructure, adding additional countries such as USA, New Zealand, Canada (in the Frame of the Galway statement), Brazil and all active countries already involved in large organisations such as IMBER, CCAMLR or IMOS.

MESOPP will focus on the enhancement of collaborations by eliminating various obstacles in establishing a common methodology and a connected network of databases of acoustic data for the estimation of micronekton biomass and validation of models. It will also contribute to a better predictive understanding of the SO based on furthering the knowledge base on key functional groups of micronekton and processes which determine ecosystem dynamics from physics to large oceanic predators.