CCAMLR

CCAMLR has defined Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME) detection thresholds based on the benthos bycatch monitoring. When these thresholds are reached during a single longline fishing operation, the data are reported to the Secretariat to inform the CCAMLR about the potential presence of VME to be protected. Management decisions are triggered out according to various levels. Important catches of sea pens (Pennatulacea, NTW, VME bioindicator) in the 58.4.4b sector have been reported during the CCAMLR SAM Working Group 2018. However, despite the important level of the catches, no VME detection threshold triggering out the establishment of an immediate fishing exclusion zone have been reached. Here, we provide the R code of a beta version of a library allowing to compute detection probabilities according to series of criteria such as the weight and abundance of organisms, longline length, number of hooks and section to be monitored. Furthermore, we present the preliminary results and some discussion elements of a study centered on the case of the sea pens, and based on the data collected in the 58.4.4b sector. The results may indicate that (1) detection thresholds may be defined considering the taxa of the VME bioindicators, (2) the detection probability is both linked to the weight/size ratio of the organisms and to the ecology of the taxa.

In recent years, CCAMLR Member States have undertaken substantial efforts to designate marine protected areas (MPAs) within the CCAMLR Convention Area in order to conserve marine living resources and marine biodiversity. During the Commission meeting of 2018, a proposal was made by Norway on an approach to facilitate progress on the further development of the Weddell Sea MPA (WSMPA) proposal (CCAMLR XXXVII para 6.31, 6.37). Most CCAMLR Members supported Norway’s suggestion (CCAMLR XXXVII para 6.39) as a useful way forward to achieve consensus and offered to work collaboratively with Norway, the EU and its Member States to progress on Norway’s proposed design to protect areas in the eastern part of Domain 4 for submission to the Commission in 3 to 4 years. Work on this project commenced with an international expert workshop organised by Norwegian scientists in Tromsø (13-14 May 2019; WG-EMM2019/14). Here we show progress on data acquisition and data, progress on the assessment of suitable analytical and modelling approaches and the project timeline (milestones and deliverables) to July 2020.

This document provides summary advice to the Commission on the Secretariat’s interpretation and application of procedures to monitor and forecast closures in CCAMLR fisheries in the 2018/19 season. Key issues in applying the procedures, and specific instances which resulted in catch over-runs and under-runs in certain circumstances are examined.

Given the large scale and hostile condition of the Southern Ocean, which accounts for almost 10% of the world ocean, the collection of scientific data and information in support of effective decision-making process is particularly challenging. To fulfill its obligation to provide scientific recommendations and advice for management, the SC-CAMLR is mandated to encourage and promote cooperation in the field of scientific research in order to extend knowledge of the marine living resources of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. As an important component of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, the vast marine area around east Antarctica is generally recognized as data-poor region. During the discussion in the SC-CAMLR on the marine living resources and the ecosystem in this region, including in the process of development of East Antarctic Marine Protected Areas proposal, the paucity of time-series biotic data that can be used to describe the structure and process of the ecosystem, particularly those relevant to the quantitative assessment of some important fish and krill stocks, has been reiterated by members. For example, WG-EMM-10/26, and SC-CAMLR-XXX/11, etc. 

The Regional Fishery Body Secretariats' Network (RSN)  is a unique coordination mechanism consisting of Regional Fishery Advisory Bodies (RFABs) and Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) from around the world. The paper provides a brief overview of RSN, its scope and activities that have the ultimate goal of promoting and highlighting the essential role of regional cooperation for fishery and aquaculture development and sustainability. CCAMLR Members are invited to note the scope and work of RSN and consider the benefit of CCAMLR participation in RSN.

A preliminary integrated stock assessment model was constructed for Dissostichus mawsoni at the research block 48.6_2, as a test run for integrated assessment model for stock assessment of D. mawsoni at Subarea 48.6. Our preliminary analysis is problematic as a stock assessment, but indicates future tasks for improvement: further sensitivity analysis of IUU, addition of ageing data and modeling of migration.

This document is based on the Research proposal for Dissostichus spp. in Subarea 48.1 by the Ukraine (WG-SAM-2019/28), which was presented and discussed at the meeting of the Working Group on Statistics on Statistics, Assessments and Modelling (Concarneau, France, 17 to 21 June 2019).

One of the outcomes of the Capacity-Building Workshop hosted by South Africa was the development of the applicable pro-forma and draft Deed of Funding. These documents are attached.

Information available in the CCEP on incidents of non-compliance with CM 26-01 paragraph 6, that prohibits dumping or discharging offal and discards south of 60°S, appear to be the result of mechanical failure. The information on offal management practices from other organisations relate to how and when offal should be discharged and largely reflects the provisions of CCAMLR’s CM 25-02, CM 25-03. The lack of a common theme in the relatively small (and declining) number of such reports do not indicate a specific action required to improve the implementation of CM 26-01 paragraph 6.

Electronic Monitoring on fishing vessels is increasing globally and is seen as an efficient method of assisting reliable reporting in commercial fisheries. These systems have been traditionally focused on the need to independently meet regulatory and market demands for transparency and accountability, but an increasingly important consideration is the contribution such systems can make to effective management by increasing the amount and quality of scientific research data that can be supplied from commercial fishing vessels.

This paper describes initial development work and presents several examples demonstrating the use of EM to collect research data in the CCAMLR managed Ross Sea toothfish fishery by New Zealand. Following the success of this work and other trials undertaken by other New Zealand vessels, we suggest that EM is further used to help provide better scientific research and monitoring data.