CCAMLR Science provides a valuable mechanism for promoting the science undertaken in connection with CCAMLR and for raising CCAMLR’s profile within the international scientific community. However, in recent years there has been a decrease in the number of papers submitted to CCAMLR Science for their publication. Taking into account the review made by the CCAMLR Secretariat, the subsequent recommendation made by the Scientific Committee, and that the creation of marine protected areas (MPA) in the Area of the Convention have become one of the main issues currently debated in CCAMLR, Argentina and Chile propose the publication of a special volume of CCAMLR Science, addressing the issue of CCAMLR MPAs.

Domain 1 is a complex region where multiple interests and activities coexist, including research and fishing activities. The complexity of its management is reflected in the numerous discussions held at the Commission, the Scientific Committee and the Working Groups during recent years. These have included the increase of the catch level of krill (CM 51-07), the development of a risk assessment and the feedback management strategy, and lately the designation of a Marine Protected Area. In addition, considering the significant increase in the environmental variability and climate trends observed in the region, coupled with the difficulties associated with disentangling the different factors driving such changes, a new approach involving the views of multinational experts is required, in order to identify the best way to manage the fisheries in the region. The Domain 1 complex scenario and its difficulties have been recognized by WG-EMM and considered by the Scientific Committee. Following discussions held during the WG-EMM-17, the Working Group agreed with the proposal to create a Domain 1 MPA Expert Group (WG-EMM report para. 4.21). This paper introduces the Expert Group to the Scientific Committee and presents the draft Terms of Reference to be discussed during its 2017 meeting.

In this regard, Argentina and Chile propose that the Scientific Committee considers the creation of a Domain 1 MPA Expert Group and its Terms of Reference, and invite Members and Observers to comment on the proposal.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile. Specifically, this paper describes the rationale behind the development of the Domain 1 MPA model, which was based on the identification of Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC, WG-EMM-17/23, SC-CCAMLR XXXVI/XX) and considerations of krill fishery management and climate change, which was introduced and discussed during WG-EMM 2017. 

Given the complexity of Domain 1 and the large number of human activities in the region including research, fishing activities and tourism, the creation of a multinational Expert Group was proposed during WG-EMM-17 (WG-EMM-17, paragraph 4.2). This could constitute an appropriate mechanism to further discuss the Domain 1 MPA model, as well as the most adequate Research and Monitoring Plan, in order to achieve a management that ensures protection while allowing rational use of the resources, thus, in accordance with the Objectives of the Convention (WG-EMM-17/23, SC-CAMLR XXXVI/XX).

Within the multinational approach undertaken so far, Argentina and Chile invite Members and Observers to consider the preliminary Domain 1 MPA model and encourage them to participate in future work towards the designation of a CCAMLR Domain 1 MPA through the Expert Group or other agreed mechanisms.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile. The process has resulted in the compilation, analysis, integration and display of a large amount of information, not only contributing to the best science available but also providing a platform for the sharing and visualization of information, highlighting the multinational approach in all stages of the decision making process. In particular, this paper describes the identification of Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC) in Domain 1 - as introduced during the last EMM meeting (WG-EMM-17/23)-, which included exhaustive analyses of hundreds of spatial data layers, extensive calibration of Marxan parameters and consideration of multiple alternative spatial configurations. To assist in the MPA planning process and future management, Domain 1 was thought in terms of three ecoregions (Northwestern and Southwestern Antarctic Peninsula and South Orkney Islands) that differ not only in their morphology, geology and ecology, but also in their current management and resilience to climate change.

The identification of PAC constitutes the initial step towards the development of a Domain 1 MPA that considers both conservation and rational use of marine resources. PAC can also serve other research and management strategies by providing areas where important benthic and pelagic habitats, processes and species spatially coincide, further improving the decision making process. 

In this regard, Argentina and Chile propose the Scientific Committee considers the PAC identified in Domain 1 and its relevance to the MPA planning process and other research and management strategies.

Information is presented on a Workshop for Training Russian Scientific Observers and Inspectors to work in fisheries in the CCAMLR Convention Area held at the AntlantNIRO Institute in Kaliningrad (21–25 August 2017).

During the 2017 EMM meeting Norway was requested to act towards the industry to ensure catch reporting in accordance with the present conservation measure (CM 21-03) and to investigate potential errors in historic catches. WG-EMM-17 requested a plan for how this could be done and this paper describes the action taken to respond to the request. Most of the work will be carried out in the 2017/18 season but Norway will also work on a longer perspective to further develop methodology for precise green weight estimation.

This paper summarises issues discussed in WG-EMM-17/42 relating to the appropriate use of data in the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (WSMPA) planning process, and whether the approach taken to develop the WSMPA proposal (CCAMLR-XXXV/18) was consistent with past and ongoing CCAMLR MPA planning processes. These issues have wider implications for all CCAMLR MPA planning processes.

Norway underline the need for discussion and clarification on how consistency amongst CCAMLR MPA planning processes can be ensured. Ensuring that area-based management proposals are founded on a consistent and rigorous scientific basis will strengthen Norway's commitment to supporting such actions.  Norway further underlines our concern on matters pertaining to suitability of data, particularly with regard to MPA planning areas that include both data-rich and data-poor areas.