In accordance with the recommendations of the 2013 Panel Review of the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation (SISO) (SC-CAMLR-XXXII/07 Rev. 1), the U.S. proposal[1] to amend the Text of SISO recommends the performance of a vessel safety check (see proposed Annex II in CCAMLR-XXXVI/25) prior to observer deployment, as well as the use of a form and protocol for debriefing observers to be approved by the Commission (proposed A(ebis) in CCAMLR-XXXVI/25).  This paper provides examples of vessel safety checklists and debriefing forms and protocols for the Commission’s reference in developing documents for use in SISO.

[1] CCAMLR-XXXVI/25 01 September 2017, A proposal to progress implementation of the CCAMLR SISO Review Panel recommendations

The conservation measure regarding (or stipulating) the interim distribution of trigger level in the fishery of Antarctic krill in Subareas 48.1 through 48.4 (CM 51-07) has continuously been renewed due the CCAMLR’s inability to establish an agreed, operational feedback management (FBM) approach. As the trigger level lacks any form of relationship with the actual stock condition this approach is strictly not in line with the CCAMLR ecosystem approach to management. FBM has been considered an alternative approach for decades, but still lacks a plan that can be made operational within realistic cost and effort levels.  Our proposal outlines that acoustic data would be collected, processed and reported continuously during the fishing season as measure of the available prey field. This information can be integrated with finer-scale knowledge of top predator feeding strategies and updated through specific scientific studies at regular (multiyear) intervals. The foundations of the proposal are that acoustic monitoring of the prey field of nearby predator colonies feeds into a decision-making framework that is far less dependent on land-based effort. We consider it important to base decisions on simple, understandable and robust relationships which in turn creates trust by the stakeholders and will enable an efficient implementation of FBM. Initiating the model development and the krill fishing-predator study now will bring the SG-ASAM work and our proposed FBM framework development into a similar timeline. While the proposed framework provides a clear way forward it will take several years to implement fully due to the required development of methodology and time series data.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile. In particular, this paper provides a biodiversity analysis by zone for the Domain 1 MPA preliminary proposal introduced during the last EMM meeting (WG-EMM-17/23; WG-EMM 17/24; WG-EMM-17/25 Rev. 1). Conservation objects comprise different extensions and are distributed differently in Doman 1; while some of them occupy very small areas – such as polynyas – others extend over larger areas -like benthic ecoregions. In general, it may be difficult to protect all spatial features, especially when their distribution is complex. The Domain 1 MPA model was generated based on Priority Areas for Conservation (PAC, SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/17) and taking into consideration the krill fishery and climate change (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/18). The MPA model achieved the targets for almost 90% of the conservation objects, including the protection for all the areas considered to be important for birds, mammals and fishes. The proposed MPA fulfils the level of protection the international community agreed on for Domain 1. Substantial reductions of this MPA could potentially compromise, at least to some degree, the protection of the conservation objectives established by the Convention, for the designation of MPA in Antarctica.

This document contributes to the planning process for the designation of a Domain 1 MPA led by Argentina and Chile (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/17 and SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/18). Particularly, this report summarizes the results and decisions taken in a series of international workshops specifically developed to assist in the Domain 1 MPA planning process, including the 2012 - First International Workshop held in Valparaiso, Chile, (WG-EMM-12/69); the 2013 Binational Workshop (Chile-Argentina) held in La Serena, Chile (WG-EMM-14/40), the 2015 Second International Workshop for identifying Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Domain 1 of CCAMLR held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (WGEMM-15/42); and the 2016 Informal Workshop on Domain 1 MPA held in Bologna, Italy (WGEMM-16/73).

This report has been compiled by the authors based on expert discussions held during the above workshops. The list of participants for these Workshops can be found in Annex 3. A revised version with a complete list of authors is proposed to be submitted to CCAMLR Science (SC-CAMLR-XXXVI/16).

The CCAMLR Scientific Committee in 2016 reviewed three scientific background documents in support of the development of a CCAMLR MPA in the Weddell Sea. Germany was asked to carry out further work, in particular regarding the issues and questions raised at WG-EMM-16 and SC-CAMLR-XXXV.

Here, the authors intend to update the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment on the current state of the work carried out during the 2016/2017 intersessional period. Chapter 1 of this working group paper informs on the new data retrieval process. Chapter 2 presents the updated analyses of relevant data layers, including an update on the Antarctic toothfish habitat model. Chapter 3 provides a sensitivity analysis of the level of protection for Antarctic toothfish and other demersal fish that explores a range of protection-level scenarios. In this context, we show how the cost layer works. Subsequently, a revised Marxan approach based on the updated data layer is shown. In Chapter 4 we outline the way we - at that stage - transferred the results of the scientific analyses into the WSMPA borders and management zones.

Oceanites, Inc. is a US-based, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization under US law, which was founded in 1987. Its mission is to champion science-based conservation and increased awareness of climate change and its potential impacts through the lens of penguins and Antarctica.

This report summarizes activities of Oceanites since CCAMLR-XXXV and SC-CAMLR-XXXV, including:

• Results from the latest, 23^rd consecutive field season of the Antarctic Site Inventory;

• Update on the Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics (MAPPPD);

• State Of Antarctic Penguins 2017 Report and Penguin Conservation Efforts;

• Update on Oceanites’ Climate Challenge analyses;

• Camera Work and Additional Research with Penguin Watch at the University of Oxford (UK); and

• Recent scientific papers.