“International Science & Infrastructure for Synchronous Observation (Antarctica InSync)” - how can CCAMLR`s needs be met?

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are among the least studied areas on Earth, despite their significance for global climate, sea level, and biodiversity, which includes a large number of endemic species, and consequently, for humanity. Feedback mechanisms and tipping points linked to climate change, changes in biodiversity, and potentially increasing pollution necessitate synchronized, coordinated scientific efforts to evaluate the intricate relationships among the atmosphere, ocean, ice, and biota, as well as to safeguard and sustainably manage this region. Providing the best knowledge for risk assessments and solutions to these challenges exceeds the capabilities and resources of any single scientific program or nation. Consequently, Antarctica InSync proposes the most extensive, focused, collaborative, and globally coordinated circumpolar scientific campaign ever undertaken in the Southern Ocean to deliver systematic science in alignment with the objectives and strategic priorities identified by SCAR and other international organizations and bodies (e.g. UN Ocean Decade, ATCM/CEP, COMNAP). A key aim of this initiative, which will be conducted 2027-2030, is to identify priority areas of focus of the science community of CCAMLR to optimize data collection and methodological choices effectively. This document is presented to the CCAMLR working groups (ASAM and EMM) to initiate a discussion on how CCAMLR can contribute to and influence this comprehensive international research effort. For a comprehensive overview of Antarctica InSync, please refer to the Fact Sheet attached to this working paper and the Antarctica InSync website: https://www.antarctica-insync.org/.