CCAMLR

In 2000, the New Zealand delegation to CCAMLR proposed the designation of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) around the Balleny Islands. Since that time, research has continued to focus on the value of the area on and around the Balleny Islands, and the potential benefits of establishing a Balleny Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA). The ecological importance of the Balleny Islands can be aligned with both the CCAMLR ecosystem-wide conservation objectives and the values found in Article 3 of Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This paper’s focus is on the CCAMLR values.
A review of existing information reveals that the Balleny Islands are uniquely situated to provide essential breeding and foraging habitat for large populations of top predator populations dependent on locally high abundances of Antarctic krill. Due to tight trophic coupling and the relative intactness of the Ross Sea ecosystem, disruption of predator foraging opportunities by human activities and/or competition between predators and fisheries for available prey can be expected to have considerable indirect effects on other aspects of the ecosystem. The area around the Balleny Islands also includes the only known habitat in the region for juvenile toothfish, and perhaps also for early developmental stages of Antarctic krill, both of which are critical for ecosystem function and for the sustainability of existing and potential fisheries in the region. A strategically located Balleny Islands MPA extending outward from the islands would provide a critical buffer between ecologically important populations and human activities (including existing and potential fisheries), and some measure of protection against unpredictable and potentially negative ecosystem impacts, consistent with the conservation mandate of the CAMLR Convention. Such a designation could also be highly valuable for the advancement of marine science, consistent with the principles of the Antarctic Treaty.

Noise pollution continues to receive increasing attention in international fora. A number of significant developments since CCAMLR XXIII are documented. The limitations of mitigation measures are discussed and the role of Marine Protected Areas and alternative technologies, as potential methods to ensure protection of cetaceans and other marine species from the wider impacts of noise pollution, are considered.

The results of the ninth annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 2004/05 summer season. There were two sightings of seals wearing neck collars of man-made debris, both were sub-adult males entangled with fishing net. In one case the entangling material had become attached to a rock and the animal was tethered to the ground. The incidence of entanglement at Signy Island, albeit very low, highlights the need for CCAMLR Members to continue their campaign to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of man-made debris at sea.

During the 2004/05 austral summer the fifteenth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from the three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 38 items weighing 10.95kg were collected. The number of items found was higher than the total found during the previous season, though the total mass of the waste recovered had declined (an increase of 85.71% and decrease of 8.31% since 2003/04 respectively). There was an rise in the number of plastic packaging bands (12) from the total recorded the previous season (5), this increase resuming the rise in packaging bands experienced over the previous three seasons with the exception of 2003/2004 and marking a return to what has otherwise proved a declining trend since 1993/94. These findings highlight the fact that they continue to appear as beach debris and indicate that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has yet to prove entirely effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, making up 71.01% of all items recorded, followed by wood at 13.16%. The results of this season's litter survey clearly show that the longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistance to degradation in the marine environment remains a problem. The need for continued monitoring to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea is paramount.