Cephalopods are a major component of the Antarctic marine food web and it seems inevitable that they will be the subject of future commercial exploitation. Research is being carried out at BAS on the species composition and distribution of Antarctic cephalopods, their production and biomass, population dynamics and trophic relations. However, there is insufficient information at present for CCAMLR to formulate effective policy for management of Antarctic cephalopods. In view of the rapidity that cephalopod fisheries can develop there is need for co-ordinated international research effort. Any commercial fishing for cephalopods should be fully monitored, research should be concentrated on population biology and trophic relations of cephalopods and a central reference collection of Antarctic cephalopods should be established. The Cephalopod International Advisory Council (CIAC) should receive the support of CCAMLR.