The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR Convention) forms an integral part of the Antarctic Treaty System. Provisions in the CAMLR Convention bind Contracting Parties to a range of obligations in the Antarctic Treaty, including:
- Article III
- Article IV.1, and
- Article V.
The relationship between the CAMLR Convention, the Antarctic Treaty and the Treaty’s Protocol on Environmental Protection, as well as the conservation principles embedded in the Convention itself, are among the key features that distinguish CCAMLR from regional fisheries management organisations.
Article III
Under Article III of the CAMLR Convention, Contracting Parties, whether or not they are Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, agree that they will not engage in activities in the Antarctic Treaty area which are contrary to the principles and purposes of that Treaty and that, in their relations with each other, they are bound by the obligations in Article I and V of the Antarctic Treaty.
Article IV.1
Article IV.1 of the CAMLR Convention binds its Contracting Parties to Articles IV and VI of the Antarctic Treaty in their relations with each other. The Antarctic Treaty and the CAMLR Convention (through Article IV of both) explicitly provide for all States’ positions with regard to Antarctic territorial claims. Article IV.2 of the CAMLR Convention reflects Article IV.1 of the Antarctic Treaty, which safeguards all parties’ positions regarding claims to territorial sovereignty. Article IV.1 of the Antarctic Treaty notes:
Nothing contained in the present Treaty shall be interpreted as:
- a renunciation by any Contracting Party of previously asserted rights of or claims to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica
- a renunciation or diminution by any Contracting Party of any basis of claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica which it may have whether as a result of its activities or those of its nationals in Antarctica, or otherwise
- the position of any Contracting Party as regards its recognition or non-recognition of any other State’s rights of or claim or basis of claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica.
Article V
Article V of the CAMLR Convention provides that Contracting Parties which are not Parties to the Antarctic Treaty acknowledge the special obligations and responsibilities of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties for the protection and preservation of the environment of the Antarctic Treaty area. Additionally, those Contracting Parties agree to observe ATCM conservation measures for the protection of the Antarctic environment.
Contracting Parties must abide by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and its annexes and other measures adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties relating to the protection of the Antarctic environment.
Additional information
CCAMLR and its links to the Antarctic Treaty provides background information concerning the CAMLR Convention and outlines the linkages between the CAMLR Convention and the Antarctic Treaty and key obligations for the information of prospective and existing parties to the Convention.
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CCAMLR and its links to the Antarctic Treaty |