CCAMLR

Lack of adequate governance of the high seas areas has resulted in the continued degradation of ocean and marine habitats. Ȁ e ecosystem approach, which comprises integrated, precautionary management policies, can be an important tool to reverse this situation. CCAMLR was a pioneer in the incorporation of an ecosystem approach to the conservation and management of marine living resources, and continues to be a leader in its implementation. Ȁ rough its actions at scientific, institutional and compliance levels, it has attempted to balance conservation objectives with the maintenance of commercial fisheries. CCAMLR has many achievements in this regard, but needs to face new challenges posed by the expansion of fisheries, including illegal, unre-ported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, if it is not to abandon the core conservation principles embodied in the Antarctic Treaty. Other regional fishery bodies that have committed themselves to incorporating the ecosystem approach in their regimes can learn important lessons from CCAMLR’s successes and also from its difficulties. Incorporating the ecosystem approach is an ambitious goal, but one that can contribute significantly to ocean governance.

In this paper, ASOC draws CCAMLR’s attention to the most pressing issues in relation to the ecosystem-based management of the krill fishery, including the adoption of a conservation measure that ensures systematic scientific observer coverage, the development of a coordinated research plan to address key scientific uncertainties at the SSMU level in Area 48, and the consideration of feedback management approaches in this Area as soon as possible. In addition, ASOC maintains that CCAMLR should take precautionary measures to prevent concentration of catches in coastal areas as the fishery approaches the interim catch limit in Subareas 48.1-48.4, and that a standardized method for green weight krill catch reporting should be developed and required.

Under Conservation Measure 41-01 (Annex C - Tagging Program for Dissostichus spp. in Exploratory Fisheries), the flag States of fishing vessels participating in exploratory fisheries are responsible for ensuring the tagging of Dissostichus spp., tag recovery and correct reporting. At CCAMLR XXVI (2007), “the Commission requested the Secretariat to annually prepare and submit a table for SCIC’s consideration containing data on individual Dissostichus spp. tagged and released, and the tagging rate reported by vessels operating in the exploratory fisheries” (CCAMLR-XXVI Report, paragraph 8.12). It is expected that the data will be made available to SCIC at this year’s meeting. Australia undertook an assessment of compliance with the CCAMLR tagging program based on information contained in the Fish Stock Assessment Report 2007 and discovered a high level of non-compliance. The lack of reliable information can affect stock assessments and therefore impact on the ability of the Commission to meet its objectives of conserving marine living resources. Australia considers that non-compliance with research obligations is a significant issue and should be considered further by the Commission, including adopting appropriate and proportionate mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Australia is encouraged by the willingness of Members to support the orderly and precautionary development of the krill fishery as it continues to expand. Currently Contracting Parties as well as Members are able to participate in krill fisheries. This is different to the approach taken by the Commission for new and exploratory fisheries as only Members can participate in these fisheries. To ensure a consistent approach to the management of CCAMLR fisheries (which CCAMLR is currently seeking to achieve) and the best regulation possible to achieve the orderly and precautionary development of the krill fishery, Australia recommends that Conservation Measure 21-03 be amended so that it only applies to Members.

At CCAMLR XXVI there was significant discussion in the Commission regarding a notification to conduct pair trawling operations in the krill fisheries in the 2007/08 season. During the discussion it was suggested that as the pair trawling method had not previously been used in the CCAMLR Area and there were no established data collection and analysis methods, the use of pair trawling in the CCAMLR Area constituted a new fishery. To clarify the CCAMLR requirements with regards to new fishing gear, and to ensure a clear and consistent approach to all CCAMLR fisheries, Australia proposes that a footnote be attached to the section on “Fishing technique” in Annex A of Conservation Measure 21-03 such that a krill fishing notification using new fishing gear should be notified under Conservation Measure 21-01.

Australia has identified three general improvements to conservation measures that would assist the operation of CCAMLR in meeting its overall objectives. In summary Australia recommends that: o Conservation Measure 10-02 paragraph 4(x) specify that high quality photographs must be submitted; o the IUU Vessel Lists include all subsequent sightings or IUU related activities of listed vessels by amending Conservation Measure 10-06 paragraph 16 and Conservation Measure 10-07 paragraph 20; and o a sentence be added to Conservation Measure 10-03 paragraph 1 specifying that the term fishing vessel includes mother ships and any other vessels involved in the commercial exploitation of living marine resources.