This paper reports on the development of the CCAMLR MPA Information Repository (CMIR), which has been divided into two phases for development. Phase 1 is a proof of concept targeted for completion in October 2019, with outcomes including the deployment of the CMIR host server, a project submission portal, and developed workflow. The principal aim of Phase 1 is to have infrastructure in place that will support submission and hosting of MPA project data. The Secretariat will provide support to Members to begin submitting projects following completion. Phase 2 will further develop the CMIR with a focus on user interaction, exploration of RMP projects, and server design. Phase 2 outcomes include an established CMIR host server, and development of a search portal as well as tools to support MPA reporting. Updates and recommendations related to Phase 2 will be presented at WG-EMM-2020.

CCAMLR hosts a list of taxa based on the  Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System (ASFIS) List of Species for Fishery Statistics Purposes published by the FAO.The species names used in CCAMLR need to be up to date with current classification and phylogenies. The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS - www.marinespecies.org) is managed by taxonomic and thematic experts to provide an authoritative and comprehensive taxonomic classification for all taxa. Inconsistencies between  the CCAMLR taxon list with the most recent ASFIS list and WoRMS were identified.  The Secretariat proposes the use  of WoRMS as a taxonomic reference within the CCAMLR taxon list to address taxonomic inconsistencies within the CCAMLR Master Data Programme.

SOOS has been recognised by the Scientific Committee as having an important role to play in CCAMLR ecosystem monitoring and observation, spatial management of impacts on ecosystems, climate change, and data delivery and management. Reciprocally, CCAMLR is important to SOOS as an international, scientific body that advocates for and collects observational Southern Ocean data.

In recognition of this, this Background Paper provides an update on SOOS activities of the last year, that are relevant to the CCAMLR community

Minimising seabird interactions with longline operations is a key objective of the management of fisheries in CCAMLR (see e.g. Conservation Measure CM 25-02 and 41-08). Longline fishing in the fishery for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in Statistical Division 58.5.2 started as a winter fishery (1 May - 14 September) to minimise seabird interactions, and has employed a wide range of seabird mitigation measures since the initial fishing season in 2003. Over the years, CCAMLR has agreed to add season extensions from 15-30 April and 15 September - 31 October to the core season. In 2015, CCAMLR XXXIV (para. 5.68) endorsed new pre-season (1-14 April) and post-season (15-30 November) season extension trials, in addition to an existing post-season (1-14 November) extension trial.

We recommend that the three season extension trial periods be added to the existing season extensions for the fishery, as the risk in the period of the three season extension trials is comparable to that in the existing season extension period. The risk of seabird mortality during these trial extensions has been analysed relative to that in the core season and existing season extensions. The rate of seabird mortality in the core fishing season and the existing post season extension from 15 September - 31 October, was less than 0.0001 birds per 1000 hooks (or less than 0.1 birds per million hooks). The rates of seabird mortality for the pre-season and two post season extension trials were comparable to that during the existing pre-season extension from 15-30 April.

Given the specification and application of effective seabird bycatch mitigation by fishing vessels in this fishery, we also recommend that the requirement for any vessel to demonstrate full compliance with Conservation Measure 25-02 in the previous season be removed in CM 41-08 (para. 3). 

This paper presents an updated assessment for the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery at Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) in CCAMLR Division 58.5.2 with catch until the end of 2019 and observations until the end of 2018. The updated assessment model is based on the best available estimates of model parameters, the use of abundance estimates from a random stratified trawl survey (RSTS), longline tag-release data from 2012-2017 and longline tag-recapture data from 2013-2018, and auxiliary commercial composition data to aid with the estimation of year class strength and selectivity functions of the trawl, longline and trap sub-fisheries.

Compared to the 2017 assessment that was accepted by WG-FSA-17 to be used for management advice, this assessment takes into account (1) update the model with catch data to 2019 and observations to the end of 2018 including new ageing data from the RSTS and commercial fishery from 2017-2018, (2) inclusion of fishing-induced mortality from longline gear loss, (3) updated growth parameters, (4) updated length-weight relationship parameters, (5) updated maturity-at-age parameters, and (6) a simplification of the longline selectivity functions. All model runs were conducted with the CASAL version 2.30-2012-03-21 rev. 4648 that was agreed on by WG-SAM-14.

The updated assessment model leads to a smaller estimate of the virgin spawning stock biomass B₀ than that obtained in 2017, with an MCMC estimate of 70 519 tonnes (95% CI: 65 634 - 76 626 tonnes). The estimated SSB status at the end of 2019 was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.49-0.53). The smaller biomass meant that the catch limit that satisfies the CCAMLR decision rules decreased from 3525 tonnes to 3030 tonnes.

Over the course of the projection period the median SSB status reaches a minimum of 40% before increasing to the target level at the end of the 35-year projection period, a pattern that is driven by the switch of the fishery from trawl to longline and below-average year class strength since 1998. The level of the predicted drop in SSB status by 2021, the time of the next stock assessment, was largely independent of the YCS period chosen as reference for the projections. With a comprehensive monitoring program of the fishery until then which include annual trawl surveys and extensive fish ageing to consolidate and estimate recent trends in YCS, the 2021 assessment will inform any decision whether further catch reductions will be necessary.

As the result of this assessment, we recommend a reduction of the catch limit from currently 3525 tonnes to 3030 tonnes for the Patagonian toothfish fishery in Division 58.5.2.

This paper presents the CCAMLR website redevelopment project plan as well as a plan for the CCAMLR brochure.

At CCAMLR-XXXVII, the Commission agreed that the timing and arrangements for its meetings could be a subject for further discussion at its meeting in 2019. This paper reviews past practices, explores three alternatives for shortening the meeting from 10 working days to 9 working days, and options for timing of the meetings that avoid any dates in November.

In 2018 EU provided a further grant of €50 000 to support to CCAMLR to identify and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that undermine the objective of the CAMLR Convention. In order to meet the objectives of the grant, INTERPOL was contracted, and the 2019 activities of the Global Fisheries Enforcement Project are supported. This paper presents the report submitted by INTERPOL in relation to activities between 1 January 2019 to 31 August 2019, including future proposed activities.