CCAMLR Marine Debris Monitoring Program, 2022

CCAMLR monitors marine debris in the Convention Area through the Marine Debris Monitoring Program (MDMP) established in 1986. The MDMP compiles data from surveys and opportunistic sightings conducted by Members, fishing gear reported by CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation (SISO) observers as lost by fishing vessels, and marine debris observed at-sea. Results show that most debris are plastic items or fishing gear, and that the amount of debris observed each year is increasing, although standardising for effort is difficult given the currently reported information. Lost longline gear reported by fishing vessels in the Convention Area has been decreasing in recent years. While spatial patterns in gear loss generally reflect spatial patterns in fishing effort, some areas show higher rates of loss, likely due to a combination of sea ice dynamics and benthic habitat type. Observer cruise reports provide a useful mechanism to collect at-sea observations of marine debris as well as to record non-fishing gear that may be lost from fishing vessels. Further developmental work by the Intersessional Correspondence Group on Marine Debris would be useful to develop and standardise marine debris data collection, standardise metrics for reporting, and progress methods to facilitate the sampling and monitoring of macro- and micro- plastics in the Convention Area.