CCAMLR

The work of the Scientific Committee is expanding with a duplication of many functions in the two working groups and subgroups. There is also a need to give time to emerging issues for which there is insufficient time at present in the existing working groups, such as consideration of marine protected areas in a CCAMLR context and the development and evaluation of management strategies for CCAMLR fisheries. It is proposed that the working groups of the Scientific Committee be revised to streamline the work, help reduce the number of groups and time needing to be attended by our experts and to develop a work program that does not require all issues to be addressed every year. The Working Groups are proposed to be (i) Biology, Ecology and Conservation, (ii) Statistics, Assessment Methods and Modelling, and (iii) Assessments and Fisheries. It is also proposed to have workshops coordinated by the Scientific Committee on the development of management procedures for krill, toothfish and icefish and other topical issues. The aim of these workshops would be to bring together experts in biology, ecology, conservation, statistics, assessments and modelling.

In 2000, the New Zealand delegation to CCAMLR proposed the designation of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) around the Balleny Islands. Since that time, research has continued to focus on the value of the area on and around the Balleny Islands, and the potential benefits of establishing a Balleny Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA). The ecological importance of the Balleny Islands can be aligned with both the CCAMLR ecosystem-wide conservation objectives and the values found in Article 3 of Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This paper’s focus is on the CCAMLR values.
A review of existing information reveals that the Balleny Islands are uniquely situated to provide essential breeding and foraging habitat for large populations of top predator populations dependent on locally high abundances of Antarctic krill. Due to tight trophic coupling and the relative intactness of the Ross Sea ecosystem, disruption of predator foraging opportunities by human activities and/or competition between predators and fisheries for available prey can be expected to have considerable indirect effects on other aspects of the ecosystem. The area around the Balleny Islands also includes the only known habitat in the region for juvenile toothfish, and perhaps also for early developmental stages of Antarctic krill, both of which are critical for ecosystem function and for the sustainability of existing and potential fisheries in the region. A strategically located Balleny Islands MPA extending outward from the islands would provide a critical buffer between ecologically important populations and human activities (including existing and potential fisheries), and some measure of protection against unpredictable and potentially negative ecosystem impacts, consistent with the conservation mandate of the CAMLR Convention. Such a designation could also be highly valuable for the advancement of marine science, consistent with the principles of the Antarctic Treaty.