CCAMLR-XXX

The meeting will open at 0900 h on Monday, 24 October 2011.

The Chair of the Commission (Mr Terje Løbach, Norway) will welcome delegates from CCAMLR Members as well as observers from CCAMLR Acceding States.  The Chair will also welcome observers from non-Contracting Parties and international organisations invited in accordance with the decision taken last year (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 17.1 to 17.4) and further considerations in COMM CIRCs 11/45 and 11/54.

On behalf of the Tasmanian aboriginal community, Ms Theresa V. Sainty will provide a Welcome to Country for all participants.

The Chair will introduce His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AO, Governor of Tasmania, who will address the meeting.

 

Directly following the opening of the meeting, the Chair will deal with procedural matters before adjourning the Commission to allow the Scientific Committee, SCAF and SCIC to carry out their work.

 

The Preliminary Agenda for the Thirtieth Meeting of the Commission was prepared and distributed in accordance with Rule 15 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.  A Provisional Agenda, taking account of Members’ additions and comments on the Preliminary Agenda, will be distributed on 9 September 2011 in accordance with Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure.

The annotated agendas of SCAF and SCIC are appended.

 

The Chair will report on intersessional activities.

 

The Annotated Agenda of the SCAF meeting is given in Appendix A.  The report of the meeting will be introduced by its Chair.  The detailed findings and recommendations of the report will be considered by the Commission under subitems (ii) to (vii) below, as well as under other relevant agenda items.

 

The Commission will decide whether to accept the audited Financial Statements for 2010 in accordance with Financial Regulation 12.1.

 

In 1995 the Commission agreed that a full audit of the Financial Statements will be required every three years, unless otherwise decided (CCAMLR-XIX, paragraph 3.6).  At its 2010 meeting, the Commission determined that a full audit of the 2010 Financial Statements would be performed (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 3.3).  The Commission will review the full audit and agree on the audit requirements for the 2011 Financial Statements.

 

The Commission will receive the advice of SCAF on various financial and administrative matters affecting the Secretariat since CCAMLR-XXIX.  Among other matters, key items for consideration under this subitem include SCAF advice on: (a) the draft Strategic Plan (2012–2014) for the Secretariat and the associated staffing and salary strategy (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 3.5 and 3.10 respectively), and (b) revised Financial Regulations (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 3.14).  

 

Based on advice from SCAF, the Commission will consider proposed changes to the adopted budget for 2011, adopt the budget for 2012 and note a forecast budget for 2013.  Issues associated with the Commission’s Contingency Fund and Special and Other Funds will be included in these considerations.

 

Consistent with past practice, the Commission will receive advice from SCAF on the application of Financial Regulation 5.6 concerning timing of Members’ contribution payments.  The Commission will also receive advice from SCAF on the submission of late contributions under Article XIX.6 of the Convention.

 

In 2009 India was elected to the position of SCAF Chair until the conclusion of the 2011 meeting.  SCAF will advise the Commission on election of the SCAF Chair for the next two years.

 

The Chair of the Scientific Committee will introduce the report of the Thirtieth Meeting of the Scientific Committee containing advice and recommendations to the Commission in accordance with the Convention’s objectives.  The Commission will consider the general recommendations, advice, research and data requirements of the Scientific Committee.

 

The Commission will consider substantive matters related to ecosystem monitoring and management, harvested species, scientific research exemption, Secretariat supported activities, publications and the Scientific Committee’s activities planned for 2011/12.  This will include advice and recommendations on:

• various developments in the management of the krill fishery (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.7 to 4.9), spatial allocation of catch limits (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 4.11), estimating the green weight of krill caught (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.13 and 4.15), krill escape mortality (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 4.17), deployment of scientific observers in the krill fishery (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.20 to 4.23), additional scientific research including in relation to acoustic survey data (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.24 and 4.25), biomass estimates (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.27 to 4.32) and climate change (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 4.31)
• catches of Dissostichus eleginoides outside the Convention Area (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 4.36), tagging of toothfish  (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.38 and 4.39), biological research (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.40, 4.41 and 4.44) and management advice (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.43 and 4.45)
• management advice and research in respect of Champsocephalus gunnari in Subarea 48.3 and Division 58.5.2 (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.49 and 4.50)
• the scientific activities of the Secretariat (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 4.72 and 4.73)
• the participation of observers in working groups (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 4.83).
  
   

The Commission will review the outcomes of the Scientific Committee’s consideration of the three key issues relating to appropriate management responses to climate change (SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraph 7.14; CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 13.8).

 

Other substantive matters arising from the Scientific Committee will be discussed under other parts of the Commission’s agenda: assessment and avoidance of incidental mortality (Item 6); Marine Protected Areas (Item 7); IUU fishing (Item 9); Scheme of International Scientific Observation (Item 10); new and exploratory fisheries (Item 11); cooperation with other international organisations (Items 13 and 14) and the Scientific Committee’s responses to the recommendations of the Performance Review (Item 15).  

 

The Commission will consider advice provided by the Scientific Committee and SCIC on the implementation of measures to address the use of bottom fishing gear.  Particular note will be taken of continued work to avoid and mitigate significant adverse impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 5.1 and 5.4), issues dealing with Conservation Measures 22-06 and 22-07 (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 5.5 and 5.6) and the implementation of recommendations arising from the Commission’s work.

 

The Commission’s discussions under this agenda item will take into account advice from the Scientific Committee and SCIC.

 

The Scientific Committee’s report will contain advice on marine debris in the Convention Area.

 

The Scientific Committee’s report will contain advice on the incidental mortality of seabirds and marine mammals during fishing operations.

 

The Commission will consider advice from SCIC on compliance with the relevant parts of Conservation Measures 25-02 ‘Minimisation of the incidental mortality of seabirds in the course of longline fishing or longline fishing research in the Convention Area’, 25-03 ‘Minimisation of the incidental mortality of seabirds and marine mammals in the course of trawl fishing in the Convention Area’, 26-01 ‘General environmental protection during fishing’ and 51-01 ‘Precautionary catch limitations on Euphausia superba in Statistical Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 and 48.4’.

 

The Commission will consider progress towards the milestones developed by the Scientific Committee in 2009 for achieving a representative system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the Convention Area by 2012 (CCAMLR-XXVIII, paragraph 7.19; SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraph 3.28).  The Commission will consider the outcomes of the MPA Workshop hosted by France, 29 August to 2 September 2011 (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 7.5) and subsequent discussion at the Thirtieth Meeting of the Scientific Committee.  

 

The Annotated Agenda of the SCIC meeting is given in Appendix B.  The Chair of SCIC will introduce the report of the Committee’s meeting, and detailed findings and recommendations will be considered by the Commission under subitems (ii) and (iii) below, as well as Agenda Items 5, 6, 9 and 15.

 

The Commission will review SCIC’s advice on (a) the implementation of the System of Inspection and compliance-related provisions of conservation measures in force, and (b) the Development of a Compliance Evaluation Procedure (DOCEP) for evaluating compliance with conservation measures (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 8.10).

 

The operation of the CDS in 2010/11 will be reviewed.  The Commission will consider the advice received from SCIC and decide on any actions to be undertaken in order to improve its efficiency.

 

The relevant advice from SCIC in relation to IUU fishing will be presented and the subitems below will be addressed.

 

The Commission will consider current levels and trends in IUU fishing activities in the Convention Area as reported by the Secretariat and considered by WG-FSA, the Scientific Committee and SCIC.  It will also note any responses to efforts to secure general information on IUU fishing activities in the Convention Area.

The Commission will consider whether the current compliance-related conservation measures effectively meet CCAMLR’s objectives on the elimination of IUU fishing in the Convention Area.  Particular note will be taken of efforts to eradicate gillnet fishing in the Convention Area (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2) and the implementation of Conservation Measure 10-08 (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 9.10 to 9.13).

 

The Commission will consider SCIC advice on the implementation of Conservation Measures 10-06 ‘Scheme to promote compliance by Contracting Party vessels with CCAMLR conservation measures’ and 10-07 ‘Scheme to promote compliance by non-Contracting Party vessels with CCAMLR conservation measures’.  In particular, the Commission will consider SCIC’s advice on the IUU Vessel Lists adopted in 2010 and any Proposed IUU Vessel Lists for 2011.  The IUU Vessel Lists for 2011 will be adopted.  The Commission will also consider any developments in respect of efforts by Members and the Secretariat to engage non-Contracting Parties on the issue of IUU fishing.

 

The Commission will receive advice from the Scientific Committee on the implementation of the Scheme and consider actions recommended by SCIC and the Scientific Committee to ensure that the Scheme continues to meet its objectives and operates in the most efficient and effective way.  This will include the outcomes of the Scientific Committee’s considerations for the implementation of a comprehensive program for systematic observer coverage in the krill fishery (SC-CAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 3.17 and 3.18) and the process and criteria for the accreditation of scientific observer programs (SC-CAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 7.12 and 7.13).

 

For the 2010/11 season, the Commission approved exploratory fisheries for toothfish in Subareas 48.6, 88.1 and 88.2, and Divisions 58.4.1, 58.4.2, 58.4.3a and 58.4.3b (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 11.30 and Table 1).  The Commission will review the operation of these fisheries and the management measures in force.

The Commission will consider notifications from Members for new and exploratory fisheries in the 2011/12 season, received in accordance with Conservation Measures 21-01 ‘Notification that Members are considering initiating a new fishery’ and 21-02 ‘Exploratory fisheries’ respectively.

The Commission will consider the Scientific Committee’s advice and recommendations relating to new and exploratory fisheries, including:

• implementation of the research requirements for exploratory fisheries for Dissostichus spp. including the application of the tag overlap statistic (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 11.20, 11.26 and 11.27)
• review of the research requirements in data-poor fisheries (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 11.4).
  
   

The Commission will review conservation measures in force in the light of the Scientific Committee’s and SCIC’s advice, as well as Members’ experiences in implementing measures during the 2010/11 season.  Particular attention will be paid to:

• review of the interim measure for bottom fishing activities subject to Conservation Measure 22-06 (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 12.13)
• daily reporting for exploratory fisheries, with the exception of krill exploratory fisheries (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 12.15)
• implementation of research sets for vessels participating in exploratory fisheries for Dissostichus spp. in Subareas 48.6 and 58.4 and general measures for exploratory fisheries for Dissostichus spp. (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 12.29)
• general measure for scientific observation in krill fisheries (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 12.18).

The Commission will consider SCIC’s advice on work undertaken on the development of methods for assessing compliance with conservation measures and plans for future work.

Where appropriate, the Secretariat will report on proposals for the revision of existing measures which were prepared intersessionally in consultation with Members.

 

Conservation measures not already addressed in the course of the Commission’s deliberations under other agenda items or under subitem 12(i) will be discussed under this subitem.

 

CCAMLR was represented at the Thirty-fourth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party Meeting (ATCM-XXXIV) (20 June to 1 July 2011, Buenos Aires, Argentina).  The Executive Secretary will report on the meeting.  CEP collaboration with SC-CAMLR will be covered in the SC-CAMLR report.

Future cooperation between CCAMLR and other parts of the Antarctic Treaty System will be discussed along with participation in the meetings of the ATCM and CEP in 2012.

 

The report of the Scientific Committee will contain results of its deliberations on cooperation with SCAR (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 13.7).

In addition, the CCAMLR Observer to SCAR and the SCAR Observer to CCAMLR will be invited to report briefly on recent SCAR initiatives of interest to CCAMLR.

Future cooperation and participation in the meetings of SCAR and its relevant subsidiary bodies in 2012 will be discussed.  

 

The Commission will consider the Scientific Committee’s advice on assessment of any draft management plans for protected areas with a marine area component proposed under the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty and submitted to CCAMLR for approval.  

 

The following international organisations have been invited to attend CCAMLR-XXX as observers: ACAP, CCSBT, CEP, CITES, CPPS, FAO, FFA, IATTC, ICCAT, IOC, IUCN, IWC, SCAR, SCOR, SEAFO, SPC, UNEP and WCPFC.

The following non-governmental organisations have also been invited to attend CCAMLR-XXX: ASOC and COLTO.

Their reports will have been tabled.  Representatives of these and other organisations present at the meeting will be invited to present key items from their reports.  A maximum of five minutes will be allocated to each such report.  The reports from the CEP and SCAR Observers will have been received by the Scientific Committee.

 

Reports from CCAMLR representatives at the 2010/11 meetings of various international organisations (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 14.14) will be received.

 

The Commission will review cooperation between CCAMLR and ACAP (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 14.1).  The ACAP observer will be invited to make a short report.

 

The Commission will review any further developments regarding cooperation between CCAMLR and CCSBT (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 14.7).

 

The Commission will review developments concerning the arrangement between CCAMLR and WCPFC (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 14.8) along with any other relevant matters.

 

The International Consultations on the Proposed South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation concluded on 14 November 2009 with the adoption of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources of the South Pacific Ocean (the Convention) at Auckland, New Zealand.  The SPRFMO Preparatory Conference II was held from 24 to 28 January 2011 in Cali, Colombia.  Preparatory Conference III is scheduled for 30 January to 3 February 2012 in Chile.  Noting that the Convention applies to the international conservation and management of non-highly migratory fisheries and protection of biodiversity in the marine environment extending from the most eastern part of the South Indian Ocean through the Pacific towards South America, the Commission may wish to consider future relations with that organisation once its Convention enters into force.

 

The Commission will consider any new developments arising from discussions at previous meetings of the Commission (CCAMLR-XXIV, paragraphs 15.28 and 15.29; CCAMLR-XXV, paragraphs 16.47 and 16.48; CCAMLR-XXVI, paragraph 16.41; CCAMLR-XXVII, paragraph 16.31; CCAMLR-XXVIII, paragraph 15.28; CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 14.11 and 14.12) concerning financial support for non-Contracting Party attendance at CCAMLR meetings.

 

The Commission will nominate CCAMLR Observers to the 2011/12 meetings of international organisations with which CCAMLR share a common interest.  The Secretariat will provide a provisional calendar of these meetings.

 

Since 1996 the Commission has agreed that specific reflection on the objectives of the Convention continues to be an important requisite of each annual meeting.  The Commission will consider proposals submitted for discussion under this item.  It will also consider any progress made with respect to the various strategic discussions at CCAMLR-XXIV (as a consequence of the 2005 CCAMLR Symposium – CCAMLR-XXIV, paragraphs 16.11 to 16.18), CCAMLR-XXV (CCAMLR-XXV, paragraphs 17.1 to 17.5) and arising from the CCAMLR Performance Review at CCAMLR-XXVI (CCAMLR-XXVI, paragraphs 17.1 to 17.20), CCAMLR-XXVII (CCAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 17.1 to 17.18), CCAMLR-XXVIII (CCAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 16.1 to 16.25) and CCAMLR-XXIX (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 15.1 to 15.9).

 

The Commission will consider advice from the Scientific Committee, SCIC and SCAF on matters related to the CCAMLR Performance Review undertaken in 2008 (CCAMLR-XXVI, paragraph 17.20 and Annex 7; CCAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 17.9, 17.10, 17.14 and 17.18; CCAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 16.2 to 16.20; CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraphs 15.1 to 15.9).  The Commission has tasked the Secretariat with providing a progress report on matters (papers, activities and actions) arising from the Performance Review Report (CCAMLR-XXIX, paragraph 15.7 and First CCAMLR Performance Review).  

 

In accordance with Rule 8 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, a Commission Vice-Chair must be elected to serve from the end of CCAMLR-XXX until the conclusion of the Commission’s 2013 meeting.

 

Since 1994 the Commission has addressed the invitation of observers to its next meeting under this agenda item (CCAMLR-XIII, paragraph 13.7).  Acceding States, non-Contracting Parties and international organisations to be invited to CCAMLR-XXXI will be identified.

 

The Thirty-first Meeting of the Commission will be held at the CCAMLR Headquarters building (181 Macquarie Street) in Hobart between 22 October and 2 November 2012.

 

The report of the Thirtieth Meeting will be considered and adopted.

 

The meeting is scheduled to close at 1600 h on Friday, 4 November 2011.