The Commission, established under Article VII of the CAMLR Convention, gives effect to the Convention’s objectives and principles set out in Article II.
The Commission includes a Scientific Committee established by the CAMLR Convention. The Commission and the Scientific Committee can establish subsidiary bodies that are necessary for the performance of their functions.
The Commission has established two subsidiary bodies:
- a Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance, and
- a Standing Committee on Administration and Finance
Reports of Meetings of the Commission are published annually.
A list of current chairs and conveners is published on the Who's who in CCAMLR page.
The Commission
Rules of Procedure of the Commission (
194.47 KB) describe the operation of meetings of the Commission. The Commission elects a Chair and Vice-Chair for initial terms of two years. They are eligible for re-appointment for an additional term of two years.
The Commission's decisions establish the regulatory framework applied to the management of each fishery in the Convention Area. Such decisions may include, but not be limited to, catch limits and seasonal or area closures and measures aimed at minimising any potential impact of fishing activities on non-target species and the ecosystem.
Membership of the Commission entitles a Party to participate in, and vote on, decisions of the Commission. Decision-making is based on consensus.
The Commission conducts its business in four languages: English, French, Russian and Spanish.
A permanent Secretariat based in Hobart, Australia, assists and provides administrative support to the Commission.
Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance
The Commission adopted terms of reference for a Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance (SCIC) to provide it with information, advice and recommendations on fishery monitoring and compliance related matters.
Meeting at least once every year, SCIC reviews and assesses the implementation of, and compliance with, CCAMLR's conservation measures.
SCIC also reviews information on Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the operation of the System of Inspection and works with the Scientific Committee and the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation (SISO) to make recommendations on improvements and priorities.
To address technical or other specific issues, SCIC establishes working groups as required.
Standing Committee on Administration and Finance
The Commission adopted terms of reference for a Standing Committee on Administration and Finance (SCAF) to provide advice in respect of, inter alia:
- audited annual financial statements
- annual budget operations
- budget forecasts for future years
- secretariat operations.