CCAMLR

Local biomass of toothfish in research blocks in Subareas 48.6 and 58.4 have been estimated using a CPUE-by-seabed-area analogy method and Chapman tag-recapture methods following the advice of WG-SAM. The trend analysis decision rules developed by WG-FSA 17 were applied to provide catch limits for 2018/19. The only research blocks in which there were adequate recaptures were 486_2, 486_3 and 486_4. However, as the trend in all three of these research blocks was declining the revised catch limit is determined as 0.8 times the existing catch limit. The revised catch limits for all but one of the research blocks was determined by the requirement that the absolute change in the existing catch limit should not exceed 20%.

Data on fish bycatch in the krill fishery from commercial catch data (120 949 hauls) and CCAMLR SISO data (17 455 hauls) up to 20 Sept 2018 was used to examine the frequency of occurrence, length-frequency distribution and geographic provenance of the key fish taxa reported. There is an increase in the data quality from the observer scheme and an increase in the frequency of fish bycatch in the commercial krill fishery catch data. As in previous years there was a high degree of overlap in the most frequently reported taxa in the C1 data and SISO data, with Lepidonothen larseni the most frequently reported in both datasets. The length-frequency distribution of all taxa for which >200 fish were measured had modal size class of <10 cm.

In 2017 the fishery in the Northern Area of the Ross Sea Area 88.1 was opened for one day, closed for 2 days, and then re-opened, a situation that was criticised by some Members. The Secretariat has taken note of the responses to the consultation released in COMM CIRC 18/21 (CCAMLR Secretariat catch and effort monitoring procedure) and proposes a revised approach for catch and effort monitoring, and the calculation of closure dates, for the 2018/19 season in the Ross Sea:

• The Secretariat will follow a defined and published set of decision rules to calculate closure dates of exploratory fisheries in the Ross Sea. For the first 3 days of the fishery, when little information is available from the current fishing season, calculations will be made on historical catch data for the vessels that have notified their intent to fish. After this time the Secretariat will transition to a projection based on data reported from the current season.

• Because the catch in the Northern area is so small, significant over- or under- runs of the limit may be expected. The Secretariat proposes that the impact of this on the fishery is minimised by allowing both over- or under- runs to be accommodated within the overall catch limit with the following change to the CM 41-09:

(i) all areas outside the Ross Sea region marine protected area, which in Statistical Subarea 88.1 include SSRUs A, B, C, G, H, I, J and K

– 2 054 2 645 tonnes

Of which no more than 591 tonnes may be caught north of 70°S

• Clarification of the definition of when a vessel is operating in exploratory fisheries and the requirement for daily reporting.

The Secretariat received fishery notifications for exploratory fisheries for toothfish and established fisheries for krill for 2018/19. No notifications were received for new fisheries. The details of all fishery notifications, including related documents, can be viewed on the CCAMLR website.

Detailed responses to the consultation feedback are presented. The Secretariat proposes to make a number of changes to its existing practices, particularly around providing information to Members and providing transparency on data acquisition systems and the algorithms it uses for data validation and preparation. The Secretariat also proposes to strengthen its staffing support for Data Management issues. Finally, two projects are proposed for development in 2019, one to trial electronic reporting of catch data and one to develop a stable, documented warehouse of CCAMLR data.

Analysis of the trends and supply chains in the CDS data for 2016 and 2017 has identified increased use of the CDS with increases in the number of DCDs (41%), DEDs (35%) and DREDs (193%) between these years. Across both years Chile had the greatest number of DCDs landings, exports and the largest quantity of landings (4 185 tonnes and 5 586 tonnes). For both years France exported the largest quantity of toothfish (3 997 tonnes and 4 531 tonnes). The largest quantity of imports was by the United States of America (USA) in both years followed by Viet Nam. Analysis of supply chains within the CDS identified the greatest trade relationship for both years was between France and Viet Nam.

As outlined fully in SC-CAMLR-BG-XX, a joint one-day workshop was held between SOOS and CCAMLR in April 2018. The full workshop report is available at http://soos.aq/resources/reports?view=reports. All parties at the workshop agreed to the importance of strengthening the collaborative efforts between SOOS and CCAMLR communities, and that there is strong benefit to both communities to consider what each one can contribute to the mission of the other. A core objective of this workshop was to identify synergies in data management requirements between SOOS and CCAMLR, to avoid duplication and ensure data discoverability and access (where possible) by all. Towards this objective, this paper proposes four recommendations for consideration by SC-CAMLR.

The implementation of by-catch move-on rules is presented based on the analysis of catch and location data from CCAMLR exploratory fisheries from 2010 to 2018. Conservation Measure 33-03 specified a haul-specific move-on rule for any by-catch taxa and a cumulative catch move-on rule specifically for Macrourids. The results indicate a very low incidence of triggering either rule and only 5 occasions where it appeared that the rule had been triggered but not applied.

CCAMLR Members have acknowledged that climate change poses a major threat to Southern Ocean ecosystems but have yet to adopt a comprehensive approach to responding to climate change in the Convention Area. In this paper, ASOC highlights two major scientific articles that were published this year in which scientists propose scenarios for the future of Antarctica and the planet in a changing climate. These papers demonstrate the dramatic consequences of not addressing climate change, but also emphasize that these consequences can be prevented if the right policies are implemented now. There is a rapidly closing window for the world to take action. Climate change requires a coordinated global response, and every governance body including CCAMLR must do its part, and seek to integrate its actions with other efforts.

ASOC therefore recommends that CCAMLR:

• Improves collaboration with other international organizations and institutions.
• Incorporates climate change considerations into decisions and actions.
• Implements an overarching climate change strategy and work program.
• Designates a network of marine protected areas (MPAs).