CCAMLR

Accurate estimation of the true impact of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) requires knowledge of the distribution of those communities relative to the fishing footprint. If high target fish catch rates are associated with habitats where VMEs are found, impacts from fishing would be higher than if VMEs are distributed randomly with respect to fishing locations. This study used the catch of the six most common vulnerable invertebrate taxa reported by observers on New Zealand vessels during the 2009/10 Ross Sea longline fisheries to correlate toothfish catch rates and benthic invertebrate catch rates at a longline segment level. Analysis of the data available showed no evidence that the presence of any of six VME taxa was related to Antarctic toothfish catch at the scale of a longline segment, approximately 1.2 km. This supports conclusions of previous work finding no relationship between total VME taxa weight and toothfish catch at the scale of a longline set, up to 10km. Our data were too limited for a robust comparison among fishing areas. Further studies at intermediate scales (10–100 km) would be useful to determine if both toothfish and individual VME taxa have regionally concentrated distributions showing a high degree of spatial overlap.

The plan of implementation for Agenda 21 of the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) requires an estate of marine protected areas for the purposes of long‐term conservation of marine biodiversity by 2012. A representative system of marine protected areas (RSMPA) will be one that (i) provides a spatial estate of the smallest area sufficient to satisfy the principles of Comprehensiveness, Adequacy and Representativeness (CAR) in the long term, (ii) accounts for the state of knowledge, and (iii) can be modified as the state of knowledge improves. In addition, the utility of the RSMPA will be increased if it (iv) can act as a source for maintaining biodiversity in areas outside of the system, (v) can act as a reference for natural variability and change, and (vi) provides for ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change, which is a natural extension of the requirement for adequacy. CCAMLR has been developing a RSMPA since its first Workshop on Marine Protected Areas in 2005, establishing its first large marine protected area in this program in 2009 with the adoption of the South Orkney Islands MPA. To date, there has been no consideration of a RSMPA in eastern Antarctica. In this paper, we develop a proposal for a RSMPA in eastern Antarctica for the region between 30^oE and 150^oE and from the coast to 60^oS. We compile relevant data and information to assess where an estate of areas may be placed in a RSMPA for eastern Antarctica in order to be likely to satisfy the CAR and utility principles described above, despite the paucity of data for the region. The proposal covers 37% of the region aiming to achieve low fragmentation of areas, efficient boundaries for management, and optimizing its utility as reference areas, particularly for the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program. It will not interfere with rational use of the region, including for Antarctic krill and Antarctic toothfish. A process for updating the boundaries as new information becomes available is proposed. An important feature of identifying the values, including utility, of the RSMPA will be to ensure that activities do not inadvertently erode those values in the region in the future.

A benthic sampling program in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI, CCAMLR Statistical Division 58.5.2) region was undertaken by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) from 2003 to 2008. Quantitative samples collected during three cruises by the fishing vessel Southern Champion from eleven geographic areas, using either a beam trawl or benthic sled, provide the most comprehensive quantitative insight into the distribution, abundance and species composition of macrobenthic invertebrate communities in the region. The areas sampled were selected for the purpose of comparing and reporting regional differences in faunal composition and consist of a number of seamounts and submarine plateaus. The macrobenthic invertebrate fauna of the region is moderate in diversity and, while many taxa are endemic, is broadly typical of deep sea sub-Antarctic faunal assemblages. Included in these taxa are a range of slow growing and vulnerable benthos, including corals, sponges and bryozoans, which would be particularly susceptible to disturbance. The results of this assessment are being used by Australia in evaluating the conservation of benthic biodiversity in this region.

Currently, some State Parties require, as a requirement to introduce toothfish into their markets, that VMS reports by vessels that capture toothfish be transmitted previously and in real time to the Secretariat, even when the captures take place outside the Convention Area. This document proposes that when Contracting States voluntarily report the activities performed in waters beyond the jurisdiction of the Convention, the Secretariat should ensure that such information is being loaded into the CCAMLR data bases in a timely manner and made readily available for consultation by those State Parties. This is proposed to be carried out through a modification of Conservation Measure 10-04 (2007) in accordance with the terms contained in the attached document.

For several years (2006-2009) the Ukraine has been proposing that international or national scientific observer onboard krill fishing vessel became mandatory. In 2008, the Ukraine highlighted the magnitude of the scientific uncertainties and data gaps that are hampering progress with regards to the subdivision of the precautionary catch limit among SSMUs in Area 48 (CCAMLR XXVII/43). Because the CCAMLR scheme of international scientific observation is nowadays the main basic source of data that can fill existing uncertainties, the Ukraine proposed to enhance Conservation Measure 51-06 so as to provide more systematic coverage by international/national scientific observers in the krill fishery. Krill escapement mortality - and the methods to determine it - is closely connected with the need to have systematic observer coverage in the krill fishery. Experiments to estimate krill escapement mortality should be introduced on all krill fishing vessels that carry scientific observers onboard. To conduct krill escapement mortality experiments it is proposed to amend the Scientific Observers Manual, including a new suitable section to the Observer Cruise Report. The need to have observers collecting data on krill escapement mortality emphasizes the need to have a comprehensive observer program in place for the krill fishery.

Abstract

This document summarises French observations of illegal fishing for the past year and reports on implementation of the CCAMLR Inspection System. It includes an analysis of developments in this domain and proposes ways in which the fight against illegal fishing can be stepped up.

The geographical area covered in this study comprises Statistical Subarea 58.6 and Divisions 58.5.1 and 58.5.2, including the Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard and McDonald EEZs respectively, and Statistical Divisions 58.4.3 and 58.4.4, international waters including fishable depths on BANZARE, Elan, Lena and Ob Banks.

The surveillance system deployed by France in the French Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) has been operational throughout the whole year. It has proved to be effective, in that there is no longer any sign of IUU fishing in the EEZs. The fish stocks which were previously so badly affected in the Kerguelen and Crozet EEZs are now protected. However, several times a year IUU activities lasting from one to five weeks are observed on the edges of the continental shelves outside the French EEZs.

IUU fishing continues to make its presence felt in the CCAMLR Area in international waters.

This season, the IUU fleet has again focused on BANZARE and Elan Banks (Statistical Division 58.4.3). In addition to the not inconsiderable activity observed on the more scattered seamounts (Ob and Lena), and sometimes at the boundary of the Kerguelen and Heard EEZs (Lameyne Ridge, Gallienni Spur, Williams Seamount), a resumption of IUU activities has been observed over the seamounts along the edge of the continent which are accessible in summer; this is a worrying development for the Antarctic toothfish stocks.

All IUU vessels observed use gillnets. A number of them state that some of their crew members, mainly the officers, including captains and fishing masters, are nationals of CCAMLR Member countries.

The presence of surveillance vessels showing the CCAMLR insignia has not been sufficient to discourage IUU vessels from continuing their activities. It is therefore necessary to find ways of increasing pressure on the nationals of Member countries who engage in IUU fishing or are associated with IUU activities, followed up by investigations and legal action based on reports of interrogations drawn up by CCAMLR inspectors.