CCAMLR

Research and Monitoring Plan (RMP) is pivotal to the development and implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs). CM 91-04 requires RMP to be adopted by the Commission in that without a well-developed RMP, there would be no ways to acquire best scientific evidence available to inform management plan, regular review process and future decision making, let alone achieving the conservation goals of MPAs. To develop RMP, we need baseline data, translate conservation goals or general statements into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant or realistic and time-bound (SMART) management objectives, identify indicators, define states of system or decision triggers, develop management actions in relation to decision triggers. In this regards, the CEMP might be a precedent to be followed. CM91-04 obliges the proponent(s) to develop and introduce RMP. The introduction of RMP should be meaningful; the obligation would not be fulfilled until the proposed RMP is adopted by CCAMLR.

This document presents a revised survey design and spatial extent of the planned International synoptic krill survey in Area 48 during 2019, based on the recommendations provided by the EMM working group under evaluation of WG-EMM-18/12.

A Research and Monitoring Plan for the Ross Sea region MPA (RSRMPA) has been endorsed by the Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/20). The Plan identifies research questions that aim to facilitate assessment of the degree to which the RSRMPA achieves its objectives. The Plan also identifies a set of indicators that, when observed or quantified, provide baseline data for key species and characterize the status of the marine ecosystem in the Ross Sea region. These baselines provide benchmarks from which to assess change and evaluate the performance of the MPA. Here, and in an accompanying background paper (SC-CAMLR-XXXVII/BG/xx), we suggest candidate baseline data for seven indicator species listed in the Research and Monitoring Plan and endorsed by the Scientific Committee. These candidates include zone-specific estimates of the mean densities of Antarctic krill, crystal krill, and larval and juvenile Antarctic silverfish in the RSRMPA; zone-specific estimates of the numbers of nesting pairs of Adélie penguins and adult emperor penguins; and region-wide estimates of the numbers of Weddell seals and Type C killer whales.

This report is the last of four describing the activities of the Secretariat under the 2015–2018 Strategic Plan. Highlights of the year are presented, which include the development of a new Strategic Plan for the next 4 years 2019–2022. Future reports will be against the format of the new Strategic Plan.