Analysis of the trends and supply chains in the CDS data for 2016 and 2017 has identified increased use of the CDS with increases in the number of DCDs (41%), DEDs (35%) and DREDs (193%) between these years. Across both years Chile had the greatest number of DCDs landings, exports and the largest quantity of landings (4 185 tonnes and 5 586 tonnes). For both years France exported the largest quantity of toothfish (3 997 tonnes and 4 531 tonnes). The largest quantity of imports was by the United States of America (USA) in both years followed by Viet Nam. Analysis of supply chains within the CDS identified the greatest trade relationship for both years was between France and Viet Nam.

As outlined fully in SC-CAMLR-BG-XX, a joint one-day workshop was held between SOOS and CCAMLR in April 2018. The full workshop report is available at http://soos.aq/resources/reports?view=reports. All parties at the workshop agreed to the importance of strengthening the collaborative efforts between SOOS and CCAMLR communities, and that there is strong benefit to both communities to consider what each one can contribute to the mission of the other. A core objective of this workshop was to identify synergies in data management requirements between SOOS and CCAMLR, to avoid duplication and ensure data discoverability and access (where possible) by all. Towards this objective, this paper proposes four recommendations for consideration by SC-CAMLR.

The implementation of by-catch move-on rules is presented based on the analysis of catch and location data from CCAMLR exploratory fisheries from 2010 to 2018. Conservation Measure 33-03 specified a haul-specific move-on rule for any by-catch taxa and a cumulative catch move-on rule specifically for Macrourids. The results indicate a very low incidence of triggering either rule and only 5 occasions where it appeared that the rule had been triggered but not applied.

CCAMLR Members have acknowledged that climate change poses a major threat to Southern Ocean ecosystems but have yet to adopt a comprehensive approach to responding to climate change in the Convention Area. In this paper, ASOC highlights two major scientific articles that were published this year in which scientists propose scenarios for the future of Antarctica and the planet in a changing climate. These papers demonstrate the dramatic consequences of not addressing climate change, but also emphasize that these consequences can be prevented if the right policies are implemented now. There is a rapidly closing window for the world to take action. Climate change requires a coordinated global response, and every governance body including CCAMLR must do its part, and seek to integrate its actions with other efforts.

ASOC therefore recommends that CCAMLR:

• Improves collaboration with other international organizations and institutions.
• Incorporates climate change considerations into decisions and actions.
• Implements an overarching climate change strategy and work program.
• Designates a network of marine protected areas (MPAs).

Emerging research into microplastic pollution in the Southern Ocean has detected microplastics in several different regions of the Antarctic. Microplastics could have negative effects on the ecosystem, particularly when ingested by krill or fish species. In this paper, ASOC and COLTO summarize existing research findings and describe some methods for reducing microplastic pollution via the filtration of laundry water. ASOC and COLTO further recommend that:

• All operating vessels and research stations consider ways to limit potential sources of microplastics and microfibers discharged through grey or laundry water. New technologies have already been successfully adopted on some fishing vessels to reduce the amount of microplastic fibers entering the ocean.
• CCAMLR Members and Observers, as well as SC-CAMLR, note the formation of the SCAR Action Group and look for opportunities to participate in microplastics research.
• Research and monitoring plans for marine protected areas (MPAs) adopted by CCAMLR should include microplastic pollution as an area requiring further research.

The Antarctic krill fishery is expanding at a time when the Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing significant climate change impacts. Climate change and ocean acidification may dramatically impact marine ecosystems and will almost certainly affect krill. It is therefore CCAMLR’s responsibility to enhance its precautionary management of the krill fishery in line with Convention objectives. This paper provides an update on the krill fishery; discusses the consideration of climate change in krill fisheries management; and addresses key aspects of krill research, ecosystem-based management, monitoring, bycatch, and compliance as they relate to the krill fishery.  The paper concludes with a number of recommendations to make progress on each of these issues. Specifically, ASOC recommends that CCAMLR:

• Incorporate climate change information into fishery management.
• Obtain an up to date krill biomass estimate.
• Agree to a detailed work plan and timeline to further develop ecosystem-based management measures for the fishery.
• Review the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) to better reflect the whole ecosystem.
• Develop standards for improving identification of bycatch and for minimizing bycatch.
• Develop an accurate and consistent method for reporting catches with increased precision at two-hour intervals.

SCAR is an interdisciplinary body of the International Science Council (ISC), and currently includes 44 member countries and nine ISC unions. SCAR is charged with initiating, developing and coordinating high quality international scientific research in, from and about the Antarctic region (including the Southern Ocean).

SCAR’s Mission is to advance Antarctic research, including observations from Antarctica, and to promote scientific knowledge, understanding and education on any aspect of the Antarctic region and its role in the Earth System. SCAR also provides independent and objective scientific advice and information to the Antarctic Treaty system and other bodies, and facilitates the international exchange of Antarctic information within the scientific community.

Here SCAR reports on recent CCAMLR engagement, recent scientific research of relevance to SC-CAMLR and SCAR activities of mutual interest.

Report submitted by Argentina as CCAMLR Observer to the 6th Session of the Meeting of Parties to ACAP.

Climate change will alter the structure and functioning of Southern Ocean ecosystems, affect the ecosystem services they provide, and therefore require development of conservation and management strategies. A collaborative Workshop between the Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Southern Ocean (ICED) programme and CCAMLR brought together a range of ecologists, physical and ecological modellers and fisheries scientists to consider the potential impacts of climate change on Antarctic krill in Area 48. The key outcomes of the Workshop for SC-CAMLR include:

• Area 48 is a region of high natural variability and scenarios of future changes in physical, chemical and ecological drivers are highly uncertain. Global climate models do not currently resolve key ocean and sea ice processes at scales relevant to predictions for Area 48;
• The position of the Polar Front is highly constrained and is not expected to change by 2100;
• Under a high emissions scenario the warming and loss of sea ice is expected to result in a reduction in the abundance and biomass of krill in northern areas of the Scotia Sea but an increase in abundance to the south around the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea. However, the resilience and adaptive capacity of krill to withstand such changes is poorly determined;
• The combined effects of changing sea ice and krill abundance will result in shifts in the distribution of the various krill-dependent species, with more polar species constrained farther south. These changes are also likely to result in substantial changes in the structure of the food web that may occur rapidly as particular biological thresholds are reached;
• CCAMLR would benefit from investment in the development of high-resolution physicalbiological models and improved models of krill recruitment processes, underpinned by mechanistic understanding to resolve recruitment processes during the winter and the role of sea ice;
• Sufficient data are available to underpin the scenarios from this workshop. Uncertainty around the susceptibility of krill in Area 48 to future climate change can and should be incorporated into projections in order to scope potential outcomes for krill;
• Existing models and approaches developed for Area 48 to assess potential impacts and risks of fishing on krill and the dependent predators are a useful basis for developing models that can incorporate the implications of climate change in a precautionary approach into CCAMLR management.

The Workshop noted the importance a joint approach between ICED and CCAMLR to improve scenarios and ecosystem models and develop quantified model projections of ecosystem change in support of decision making for conservation and management.