In 2013 the Commission endorsed the Scientific Committee’s recommendation to develop a process to facilitate independent reviews of CCAMLR stock assessments (CCAMLR-XXXII, paragraph 5.14). We understand that the Scientific Committee will be discussing possible avenues to achieve this goal. We believe the Commission could complement the efforts of the Scientific Committee by noting the need for action on this topic and supporting the Scientific Committee in their development of a procedure.

Independent reviews, in addition to potentially benefitting the CCAMLR stock assessment process, could serve as a mechanism for transparency of the stock assessment process, particularly if reports of such reviews are made available to the public. In providing such transparency, external reviews could be used to provide information on how CCAMLR is achieving or likely to continue to achieve the objectives of Article II.

Summary of catches from directed fishing on toothfish, icefish and krill in the Convention Area in 2014/15 and 2015/16, including catches taken during scientific surveys conducted in accordance with Conservation Measure 24-01. Catches reported in 2014/15 were published in the CCAMLR Statistical Bulletin, Volume 28. Catch totals for the current season (2015/16) are preliminary and based on data reported to 14 September 2016. Closures of fishery management areas implemented by the Secretariat in 2015/16 are also summarised.

The 2015-16 season has seen further significant progress in the fight to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Southern Ocean. This paper outlines the action Australia has taken as part of its compliance program, and in cooperation with South East Asian countries through the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating IUU Fishing (RPOA-IUU), with other CCAMLR members, and with other countries more broadly. The paper notes that international cooperation continues to be instrumental in combatting IUU fishing in the CCAMLR Area.

As requested by members at WG-FSA 15, the Secretariat has collated existing materials to develop a bycatch guide for commonly caught fish and skate species in CCAMLR longline and trawl fisheries. The guide consists of comprehensive descriptions for 21 species, and two additional appendices which contain detailed descriptive keys for Macrourid (Grenadier) identification, and for juvenile fish caught in the CCAMLR krill fishery. The Secretariat thanks members for access to materials, and for reviewing the draft version of this guide. Additionally, images in this guide have been provided for the identification training tool developed by Mr N. Gasco (WG-FSA-16/11) for improved observer bycatch education.