A CCAMLR Contracting Party is a State or a regional economic integration organisation, such as the European Union, which has committed to the Convention through ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Contracting Parties that are not Members of the Commission are called Acceding States. The Convention is open for accession by any State interested in research or harvesting activities to which the Convention applies.
Acceding States do not take part in the decision-making process of the Commission nor contribute to the budget.

Membership of the Commission is open to any Contracting Party that is engaged in research or harvesting activities in relation to the marine living resources to which the Convention applies. Members take part in the decision-making processes of the Commission and the Scientific Committee and contribute to the budget.

Currently, CCAMLR has 27 Members and 10 Acceding States.