CCAMLR-40

The GCBF was created as a result of decisions made at CCAMLR-38 (SCAF-2019, paragraph 22). The Panel is required to report on the activities of the Fund during the preceding year.

In accordance with a SCAF decision (SCAF-38, paragraph 48) this paper contains the Terms of Reference and Deed of Funding template for the General Science Capacity Fund (GSCF).

This paper reviews Secretariat activities over 2020/21, providing an update on staffing and delivery of the 2019–2022 Strategic Plan.

The Commission and Scientific Committee should note that the Secretariat will be developing a new strategic and staffing plan in early 2022, to cover the years 2023-2026, and are requested to provide any additional guidance to the Secretariat for this Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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This paper summarises information held by the Secretariat in relation to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and vessel activity relevant to CCAMLR from October 2020 to August 2021. Instances of unidentified fishing gear retrieved in the Convention Area are detailed in Table 1. Communication to non-Contracting Parties and responses received are detailed in Table 2. Proposed Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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In accordance with Conservation Measure (CM) 10-10, paragraph 2(i), and the procedure detailed in COMM CIRC 21/80, the Secretariat has prepared the Summary CCAMLR Compliance Report (Summary Report) based on the Draft CCAMLR Compliance Reports (Draft reports), responses received from Contracting Parties, and Contracting Parties’ suggested Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

Approved By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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In 2013 the Commission agreed to the discontinuation of hard-copy report production and postage (CCAMLR-XXXII, Annex 7, paragraph 9i). Since then, the Secretariat publishes the reports via Amazon. This service is no longer available in Russian and different options need to be evaluated.

At its 2019 meeting (CCAMLR-38, paragraph 12.6), the Commission tasked the Secretariat with submitting a paper to CCAMLR-39 outlining the current rules of access that apply to CCAMLR meeting documents. This document provides a brief history and details the current rules.

Over the years the Secretariat received several requests by Observers to circulate material to Members. This paper discusses options for enabling this.

The paper describes cooperation under the formal Arrangements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that CCAMLR has signed with other regional organisations. The Secretariat recommends that the Scientific Committee and Commission authorise re-signing of the Arrangement with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) and the MOU with the Agreement on the Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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This paper presents an update on work done on the CCAMLR website as well as present the future work and proposed designs for consideration.

This paper presents three proposals for expenditure from the Catch Documentation Scheme for Dissostichus spp. (CDS) Fund for approval by the CDS Fund Review Panel with a combined cost of A$340 000 over two years (2022 and 2023).

This paper presents an overview of a proposal from the European Union to support development of compliance analytical capability in the Secretariat as well as a Secretariat proposal for expenditure of A$33 425 from the Compliance Fund.

The Secretariat receives notifications for transhipment activities within the Convention Area in accordance with Conservation Measure (CM) 10-09. The Secretariat maintains a list of all transhipment notifications on the password protected part of the website in accordance with CM 10-09, paragraph 6. This paper summarises the transhipment notifications received between 1 December 2019 and 30 Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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The requirement for the use of automated satellite-linked vessel monitoring systems (VMS) is required for vessels operating in the Convention Area as per Conservation Measure (CM) 10-04. This paper summarises the implementation of this conservation measure by Members, summarising the number of vessels transmitting VMS data, manually reporting VMS data, notifying of movement between management Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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Australia and the European Union and its Member States have submitted for consideration by the Commission a draft conservation measure for the designation of an East Antarctic Marine Protected Area (EAMPA) since 2012. Since then, India, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Uruguay have joined as co-proponents of this Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Lihini Weragoda (Australia)

Approved By:
Ms Gillian Slocum (Australia)

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This paper reports further recent changes to the Pine Island Glacier (Amundsen Sea, Subarea 88.3). The 22% reduction in the glacier’s spatial extent means that the newly-exposed marine area has been established as a Stage 1 Special Area for Scientific Study (SASS) in accordance with Conservation Measure 24-04. We provide additional information to that included in COMM CIRC 21/76, and encourage Read More
Submitted By:
Professor Philip Trathan

Approved By:
Ms Jane Rumble (United Kingdom)

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During CCAMLR-39 the Commission agreed to establish an e-group aimed at facilitating discussions on reinforcing the objective of the Convention, to pave the way for the Commission’s 40th meeting, where the Commission may wish to send a clear signal of unity and cooperation to fulfil its obligations for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. The e-group launched in February 2021 Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Christine Stockins

Approved By:
Ms Christine Stockins

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In 2020 CCAMLR agreed under agenda item 8 to establish an e-group aimed at facilitating discussions on reinforcing the objective of the Convention (CCAMLR-39, paragraph 8.10). It turned out that climate change, MPAs, IUU fishing, and the role of science have become the key issues of this e-group discussions. As a matter of fact, these issues are not of the same level in relation to the Read More
Submitted By:
Mr Yuhao Tang (China)

Approved By:
Mr Yuhao Tang (China)

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Almost from the very beginning of this century there was a momentum to establish representative networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. It is against this backdrop that the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) made a commitment to achieve such a goal in the Southern Ocean, advancing its leadership in the international community. Read More
Submitted By:
Mr Yuhao Tang (China)

Approved By:
Mr Yuhao Tang (China)

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Since 2005 a total catch of Antarctic krill in the Subarea 48 was constantly increasing, remaining, however, below the trigger level of 620 000 tons. Analysis of the catch data shows that an intensity of krill fishing was slightly growing with use of traditional (conventional) trawls (krill catch by conventional trawls in 2019 is up to 46% higher than such catch in 2008), however, the increase Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Kostiantyn Demianenko (Ukraine)

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Currently, CCAMLR's regulatory framework lacks clear and transparent definitions of fishery types, resulting in contradictions related to understanding the essence of different types of fisheries.

The Russian Federation considers it appropriate, as a first stage, to review the procedural and implementational aspects of the Antarctic fishery classification in the regulatory framework, Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Svetlana Kasatkina (Russian Federation)

Approved By:
Mr Dmitry Kremenyuk (Russian Federation)

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This paper discusses the operational fisheries management of toothfish fisheries in the event of delayed retrieval of fishing gear at the time of closure of the exploratory toothfish fishery and overfishing of toothfish.

Based on an analysis of legal and scientific aspects regarding the current situation with the establishment of MPAs in the Convention Area, we examine procedural and implementational measures for regulating a unified process by which the CCAMLR Commission can, on a scientific basis, establish and manage MPAs. A Research and Monitoring Plan (RMP) is considered as an integral part of such a Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Svetlana Kasatkina (Russian Federation)

Approved By:
Mr Dmitry Kremenyuk (Russian Federation)

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This document summarises the items addressed in the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme, which was held online on February 2021, with an agenda that focused on administrative and budgetary matters. As agreed, sessions will resume in-person in February 2022 to focus on core items on the agenda.

The Secretariat received fishery notifications for exploratory fisheries for toothfish and krill fisheries for 2021/22. No notifications were received for new fisheries. The summary details of all fishery notifications are in this paper, the full details for the consideration of Members of the Commission are available to authenticated users through the CCAMLR website Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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The Secretariat reviewed the quality and consistency of the port inspections and System of Inspection Reports received during the CCEP period of 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. Recommendations for the improvements for inspection reports are given.

The Catch Documentation Scheme for Dissostichus spp. (CDS) was effectively implemented in 2020 by 17 Member States, 3 Acceding States, 1 non-Contracting Party (NCP) cooperating with CCAMLR by participating in the CDS and 1 one NCP with limited access to the CDS. CDS reports of catches outside the Convention Area have decreased from 2019 to 2020. The Secretariat contacted 12 NCPs to Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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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 Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Belinda Blackburn (CCAMLR Secretariat)

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2021 is a critical year for the management of the Antarctic krill fishery, which is expanding even as climate impacts on krill habitat increase. CCAMLR must continue its efforts to complete the agreed krill work plan and develop a new science-based CM to replace 51-07 as soon as possible, but meanwhile must prevent a situation this year in which 51-07 lapses completely. ASOC therefore Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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CCAMLR must act to conserve Antarctic marine living resources and the Antarctic ecosystem, using the best scientific evidence available. The Antarctic krill fishery has dramatically increased in recent years to more than two-thirds of the trigger level in Area 48, with concerns by most Members that catches at these levels if taken from small areas could impact krill predators. Recent CCAMLR Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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ASOC submitted four background papers to CCAMLR-40, highlighting ongoing challenges to krill fishery management, marine protected areas and climate change. Throughout the intersessional period, ASOC and its member groups conducted a variety of activities supporting Antarctic conservation, including participation in online academic conferences, workshops, symposia and webinars, and making Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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This paper provides an update of the latest considerations for the D1MPA proposal during the 2020-2021 intersessional period. It explores the proposal in the context of the expiration of CM 51-07, the new krill fishery management strategy under development, and the risk assessment framework where D1MPA provides a solid scenario for the spatial allocation of catch with a low risk to predators Read More
Submitted By:
Mr Máximo Gowland (Argentina)

Approved By:
Mr Máximo Gowland (Argentina)

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At CCAMLR-39 (2020), the Commission agreed to establish an e-group to allow for information exchange between Members to facilitate a thorough investigation regarding the issue of allegations against the Russian-flagged fishing vessel (FV) Palmer (CCAMLR-39, paragraph 6.11). No such group was established. New Zealand understands that the Russian Federation’s Read More
Submitted By:
Mr Timothy Vaughan-Sanders (New Zealand)

Approved By:
Ms Jana Newman (New Zealand)

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The New Zealand Government undertakes regular aerial surveillance patrols in the Ross Sea region in support of CCAMLR’s fisheries management and conservation objectives. This paper summarises the two aerial patrol activities carried out during the 2020/21 toothfish fisheries season by New Zealand.

As requested by the SCIC Chair, Ms Meggan Engelke-Ros, four electronic discussion groups (e-groups) were created to assist the work of SCIC. A summary is presented in this background paper of the discussions across the four e-groups.

Understanding and addressing climate change impacts in the Southern Ocean is of critical importance for managing risks to Antarctic marine living resources and falls within CCAMLR’s remit. We encourage the Scientific Committee to progress the integration of climate change considerations into its management advice to the Commission. To facilitate this, we recommend that the Scientific Committee Read More
Submitted By:
Professor Philip Trathan

Approved By:
Dr Chris Darby

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With this working paper the Delegation of Norway invites CCAMLR Members and Observers to participate in a Workshop within the first half of 2022. The Workshop has the following objectives: i) to bring together relevant expertise from CCAMLR Members and Observers to explore spatial planning solutions for WSMPA Phase 2 and ii) to jointly identify a range of candidate spatial planning solutions Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Gary Griffith (Norway)

Approved By:
Dr Bjørn Krafft (Norway)

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Fishing for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in Subarea 48.3 has been carried out without interruption for over 40 years, with more than 25 years under CCAMLR management.

This paper discusses the observed long-term decline in the length composition of D. eleginoides in longline catches in Subarea 48.3 (Antarctic Atlantic, FAO Area 48.3). It is noted that Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Svetlana Kasatkina (Russian Federation)

Approved By:
Dr Svetlana Kasatkina (Russian Federation)

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Oceanites, Inc. is a US-based, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization under U.S. law, which was founded in 1987 (https://oceanites.org). Its mission is to advance science-based conservation and to increase the awareness of climate change, its potential impacts, and climate change adaptation through the lens of Antarctic penguins.

This Read More
Submitted By:
Mr Ron Naveen (Oceanites)

Approved By:
Mr Ron Naveen (Oceanites)

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CCAMLR is in a leadership position with respect to the international community and the global biosphere when it comes to climate action in the Southern Ocean, and CCAMLR’s climate action should reflect that responsibility. In practice, there is a considerable mismatch between the urgency of addressing climate change and the pace of climate action in the Southern Ocean. In this paper ASOC makes Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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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 Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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Climate change and its impacts are of much concern globally and to the Antarctic Treaty System given realised and expected impacts on global sea level rise and biodiversity.

The recent Special and Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provide the clearest current summaries of global climate change that has taken place, impacts that are being realised Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Susie Grant (United Kingdom)

Approved By:
Angharad Downes (SCAR)

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SCAR is an interdisciplinary body of the International Science Council (ISC), with a membership of 45 countries and nine ISC unions and comprising an extensive international network of scientists.  SCAR is charged with initiating, developing and coordinating high quality international scientific research in, from and about the Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

SCAR’s Mission is to Read More
Submitted By:
Dr Susie Grant (United Kingdom)

Approved By:
Angharad Downes (SCAR)

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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)

As the first large-scale MPA in an area beyond national jurisdiction, the Ross Sea region MPA sets a precedent for design, adoption and implementation of other MPAs on the high seas and in the Southern Ocean. This ASOC Background paper includes an article in press in Marine Policy: “The Ross Sea, Antarctica: A highly protected MPA in international waters,” which presents a detailed Read More
Submitted By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

Approved By:
Ms Claire Christian (ASOC)

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