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.

Observations of natural and man-made floating megalitter, macrolitter and mesolitter in the Pacific section of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary from December 1994 to March 1995 are reported. Natural megalitter, mostly seaweed, was concentrated In the more northern latitudes near the start and finish of the expedition, especially near the Antarctic Convergence south of the Tasman Sea. Man-made megalitter was nowhere common, but was seen mostly near and to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, and north and northwest of the Ross Sea, and consisted mostly of plastic Items, especially styrofoam fragments. Fishing gear was not a major component of man-made debris. Macrolitter consisted mainly of seabird feathers. A very high density (544 per 10nm) of penguin feathers occurred northeast of the Ross Sea, whereas non-penguin feathers dominated north and northwest of the Ross Sea. In the southern Ross Sea a single sample contained 31 small dead fish. Natural mesolitter quantities were usually low, but high densities (to 391/ha) of penguin feathers occurred northeast of the Ross Sea, and pumice granules were concentrated near the Antarctic Convergence south of the Tasman Sea. Man-made mesolitter was usually absent but reached 8.7/ha midway between the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea. Most items were individual styrofoam beads, but north of the convergence small numbers of hard plastic fragments were encountered. Biological associations with debris were not common, but included a filamentous green alga and small goose barnacles.

The Ross Sea continental shelf and slope have a number of characteristics that make it an ideal candidate for a marine reserve, as evidenced by its inclusion in the list of 11 priority areas, which focuses efforts on MPA designation where there are high levels of biological heterogeneity.¹ With exceptional biodiversity and evolutionary significance, as well as its potential as a climate change reference area and refuge and its value for scientific research, the Ross Sea merits comprehensive protection of its entire continental shelf and slope. Much of the scientific and biological importance of the Ross Sea derives from its relatively pristine state, which will be irrevocably altered by the continuation of fishing. Preservation of the Ross Sea’s unique qualities therefore requires the designation of a no-take MPA encompassing the shelf and slope. Scientific information presented to CCAMLR and the ATCM since 2002 has developed a clear case for the designation of the Ross Sea shelf and slope as a marine protected area (MPA) by CCAMLR. This paper summarizes the scientific basis for comprehensive Ross Sea protection. ¹ SC-CAMLR XXVII Final Report, paragraphs 3.53 and 3.60

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to be a problem in the Convention Area, undermining the intrinsic values of CCAMLR and of the Antarctic Treaty. In spite of the package of Conservation Measures on IUU fishing adopted by CCAMLR, there are still significant steps that CCAMLR Members can take individually and collectively to eliminate IUU fishing in the CCAMLR Area. At this meeting, CCAMLR should improve its system of port State measures, while not weakening any of its measures currently in force. In order to achieve this goal, CCAMLR Members should allocate special funds for the effective implementation of those enhanced port State measures by developing countries. At the same time, in order to improve transparency and the implementation of control measures, CCAMLR should require that the owner of any fishing or support vessel authorized to operate in the CCAMLR Area registers with IHS-F, obtains an IMO number, and reports this number in all relevant communications.

New and alarming evidence has been published by Trivelpiece et al. recently about the reduction of the populations of Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) in the West Antarctic Peninsula/Scotia Sea area. According to this scientific paper, Adélie and chinstrap penguin populations have declined more than 50% during the last 30 years at study colonies in the South Shetland Islands. This is consistent with the declines in both species throughout the Scotia Sea. Trivelpiece et al. argue that the reduction of the populations of both species could be attributed to changes in the abundance of their main prey, Antarctic krill, which is affected by climate change. In this context, CCAMLR should keep a precautionary approach in the management of the krill fishery to reduce significant impacts on these species. CM 51-07 should be maintained until sufficient information is acquired for its revision.