The program Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics, which is a partner program of IMBER and SCAR, will be holding a conference on assessing status and trends of habitats, key species and ecosystems in the Southern Ocean in April 2018.  This background paper is an invitation to Members of the SC-CAMLR to participate in working groups on four themes that will be of benefit to SC-CAMLR: (1) Assessments of status and trends in habitats, species and ecosystems, and the causes of change (attribution); (2) Responses of species to changing habitats, including ocean acidification, sea ice and temperature; (3) Modelling and analytical methods to assess status and trends; and (4) Implementation of observing systems to estimate dynamics and change.  These themes aim to facilitate contributions of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean marine science community to: the next assessment by the IPCC and recent initiatives to assess status and trends in global ocean ecosystems; the Southern Ocean Observing System; the SCAR Report on Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment; CEP; SC-CAMLR; and IWC-SC.  

Part of the remit of WG-SAM includes reviewing and providing advice to WG-FSA and the SC on the experimental design of research plans submitted under CM 21-02, and research proposals submitted under CM 24-01. A total of 34 papers was submitted to WG-SAM-15 for review under this agenda item alone. The large volume of papers, lack of consistent format, lack of clear performance review criteria, and the lack of time available at the meeting made a meaningful review of each plan infeasible. To provide a structure to assist in the review process, WG-SAM requested that proponents compile a self-assessment report card to guide evaluation of the performance of each research plan and/or project. During the review process, several related issues were discussed that are likely to impede or prevent the achievement of the research objectives if not addressed. The purpose of this paper is to provide the structure of the self-assessment to WG-FSA for comment, to characterise some of the issues associated with WG-SAM review of research plans and research proposals, and to suggest a potential mechanism for more streamlined and objective review of progress (to allow standardised, secretariat-generated reports to be produced) for consideration by WG-FSA.

A consolidated summary of information related to the krill fishery, in a similar format to the fishery reports that are completed for finfish fisheries, is presented for consideration by the Scientific Committee. Alternative options for the presentation of time-series of the spatial distribution of catches are included.

Identification of bycatch species for scientific observers can be a difficult task whilst at sea, as freely available resources are limited, and often cover only a selection of common species. In the past year the Secretariat has requested by-catch identification material from Members, and has received several responses, included a Korean guide presented at WG-EMM (WG-EMM-15/06). This paper considers options for the development and distribution of these materials.

The outcomes of the TPRG e-group report for the Australian COTPAS submission of its scientific observer training are presented. The report indicated that the information provided for each of the criteria either met or exceeded the standard required. It is recommended that the Scientific Committee endorse the outcome of the report and consider how an Accreditation Review Panel should be established. 

Data on beach surveys, debris associated with seabird colonies, marine mammal entanglements and hydrocarbon soilings were received for 2015 from South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay. Non-fishing items such as plastics, packaging materials and wood remain the most common type of debris items found in beach surveys. The fishing items found were mostly from longline and trawl origins. Plastic packaging bands continue to be found in beach surveys, with an increase in open bands found at Bird Island. The amount of debris in albatross colonies at Bird Island varies; debris associated with grey-headed albatrosses remains consistent, debris associated with black-browed albatrosses decreased, while debris associated with wandering albatrosses increased considerably from the previous year. The amount of fishing related items (fishing lines and hooks) found in wandering albatross colonies remains the most frequent debris item found in each season. The number of marine mammal entanglements has decreased at Bird Island and King Edward Point, although packaging bands and fishing gear remain the main entangling materials. There were no new hydrocarbon soiling events reported. The results of the ongoing monitoring of marine debris in the Convention Area suggest that while the type and amount of debris varies annually there have been no long-term trends over the past decade. Extrapolation of these findings to areas outside Area 48 are limited by the absence of data on long-term monitoring of marine debris and Members with opportunities to engage in such monitoring are encouraged to submit data to the Secretariat.