In 2019, EU provided a grant of €100 000 to support CCAMLR to identify and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that undermine the objectives of the CAMLR Convention. In order to meet the objectives of the grant, INTERPOL was contracted, and the 2020–2021 activities of the Global Fisheries Enforcement Project are supported. This paper presents the report submitted by INTERPOL in relation to activities between 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021, including future proposed activities. 

Le FRCG a été créé suite aux décisions prises lors de la 38^e réunion de la CCAMLR (SCAF-2019, paragraphe 22). Le Comité est tenu de rendre compte des activités du Fonds de l'année précédente.

We provide proposals on Risk assessment framework to allocate catch in Subarea 48.1 These proposals reflect the Russian Federation's position regarding the development of management strategy for krill fishery (SC-CAMLR-XXXIV/11, SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/15; SC-CAMLR-XXXV paragraphs 3.85-3.87; WS-SM-18 paragraph 3.24; SC-CAMLR-XXXVII/ BG-24)

The biomass of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in CCAMLR Subarea 48.4 is estimated from tagging returns, giving a geometric mean of 1,311 tonnes since 2016. Applying the CCAMLR agreed precautionary assumption of a 5-year geometric mean biomass, and harvest rate of γ = 0.038, implies a 2022 yield of 50 tonnes.

Historically, a precautionary approach has been applied in treating the 48.4 Antarctic toothfish as a separate stock. Based on the biological characteristics of the catches in Subarea 48.4, and the surrounding regions, the Antarctic toothfish around the southern South Sandwich Islands are now hypothesised as being part of a much larger stock that extends south into Subareas 48.2, 48.6 and possibly 48.5. The current method of assessment, based on tag returns, consequently, is considered to provide an estimate of the local biomass.

The assessment would lead to a recommendation from Working Group FSA to Scientific Committee that the catch limit for D. mawsoni in Subarea 48.4 should be set at 50 tonnes for 2021/22.

Pygoscelis papua (gentoo) penguin colonies count at GAI CEMP site has been provided during 2020/21 breeding season. The penguin count by visual observations have been performed at Galindez Island. The detailed observation of gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) birds arrival, nesting, hatch and crèche has been provided in two colonies at GAI CEMP site (GBV, GPP1, GPP2) at Galindez Island nearby the Akademik Vernadsky station. The fourth year of data validation experiment has been provided for pictures from time lapse cameras of the CCAMLR CEMP camera monitoring project of at Galindez Island gentoo penguin colonies. During the 2020/2021 season, the winterers at Vernadsky station, Galindez Island, fulfilled every day observations of gentoo nests in the two sites where the automatic time lapse cameras installed. The results of visual observations will be compared with data from camera pictures, which registered the same nests that were observed. Due to expansion of gentoo penguins further to south we are going to increase the number of CEMP sites for continuous monitoring.

Despite the global coronavirus pandemic, there is increasing political momentum to address pressing environmental issues including the protection of the Southern Ocean. In addition to major statements of support for Antarctic MPAs from global leaders, ASOC and its partners have collected 1.5 million signatures on petitions calling for the designation of Antarctic MPAs in 2021.

ASOC therefore recommends that CCAMLR-40 answer these calls for action by:

1. Adopting the East Antarctic MPA (EAMPA) with no limit to its duration, incorporating all three proposed areas (MacRobertson, Drygalski and D’Urville Sea-Mertz).

2. Adopting Phase 1 of the Weddell Sea MPA (WSMPA) and work towards adopting Phase 2 no later than 2023. MPAs resulting from Phase 1 and Phase 2 should not have a limit to their duration.

3. Adopting the Domain 1 MPA (D1MPA), with no limit to its duration, including the extension of no-take zones to all areas previously identified as critical, such as the areas around Elephant Island, to ensure conservation objectives are met.

4. Continuing work to establish a representative system of comprehensive, adequate and representative MPAs, with significant no-take areas and no limits to their duration, across all planning domains in the Convention Area including Domain 9, the corridor connecting Sub-Antarctic islands in Domains 4, 5 and 6, and the additional four zones within the original East Antarctic MPA proposal.