This paper aims to advance the dialogue about the development of a revised Research and Monitoring Plan (RMP) for the South Orkney Islands southern shelf (SOI SS) MPA in order to further the harmonisation of CM 91-03 and CM 91-04, whilst recognising and aiming to contribute to the wider context of the MPA planning processes in Domain 1, and as appropriate, Domain 3. The proposed framework sets out the components of a draft SOI SS MPA RMP to be developed as part of the 2019 review, based on the draft initially proposed in 2014 (SC-CAMLR-XXXIII/11). This aims to address the requirements of CM 91-04, and takes account of general principles from the Ross Sea region MPA RMP (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI, paragraphs 5.39 to 5.42) and the proposed Weddell Sea MPA RMP.

To improve observer safety, the United States proposes to add a provision to the text of the CCAMLR System of Scientific Observation (SISO) to require that observers be equipped with independent two-way satellite communication devices and personal lifesaving beacons.

Cooperation between the Scientific Committee of CCAMLR (SC-CAMLR) and the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) has been steadily increasing over the last few years to the mutual benefit of both. In order to avoid duplicate reporting between the two committees and following discussions between the Chairs of the CEP and SC-CAMLR, the report of the CEP meeting is presented to SC-CAMLR by the CEP Observer to SC-CAMLR and the report of the meeting of SC-CAMLR is presented to the CEP by the SC-CAMLR observer to the CEP.  An agreed standard reporting template, to be routinely followed by both committees, has also clarified and simplified the reciprocal reporting.  Accordingly, this report provides the CEP’s annual report to SC-CAMLR-XXXVII.