CCAMLR

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is bound by its Article II, 3 to follow an ecosystem approach to management. This approach has been extended to the application of a precautionary approach in the late 1980’s. In our review we deal primarily with the science–related aspects of CCAMLR and its development towards an ecosystem approach to the management of the living resources of the Southern Ocean. To assist the Commission in meeting objectives, as set out in Article II, 3, the Scientific Committee established the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program to detect possible effects of krill fishing on the performance of top level predators, such as albatrosses, penguins, petrels, fur seals. Fisheries in the Southern Ocean followed the fate of other fisheries worldwide in that target species were depleted to low level one after the other. Currently, two types of fisheries are open: the longline fisheries on Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (D. mawsoni) and the trawl fisheries on mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari). Both fisheries are managed in a single species context, however, with conservation measures in place to protect by – catch species, such as rattails (Macrouridae) and skates and rays (Rajidae). Two major problems still exist in fisheries in the Southern Ocean: the by – catch of birds in longline fisheries primarily in the Indian Ocean and the high level of IUU fishing again in the Indian Ocean. Both, the by – catch of birds and high IUU catches undermine the credibility of CCAMLR to safeguard the marine living resources in the Southern Ocean.

The work of the Scientific Committee is expanding with a duplication of many functions in the two working groups and subgroups. There is also a need to give time to emerging issues for which there is insufficient time at present in the existing working groups, such as consideration of marine protected areas in a CCAMLR context and the development and evaluation of management strategies for CCAMLR fisheries. It is proposed that the working groups of the Scientific Committee be revised to streamline the work, help reduce the number of groups and time needing to be attended by our experts and to develop a work program that does not require all issues to be addressed every year. The Working Groups are proposed to be (i) Biology, Ecology and Conservation, (ii) Statistics, Assessment Methods and Modelling, and (iii) Assessments and Fisheries. It is also proposed to have workshops coordinated by the Scientific Committee on the development of management procedures for krill, toothfish and icefish and other topical issues. The aim of these workshops would be to bring together experts in biology, ecology, conservation, statistics, assessments and modelling.