Improving safety and reducing environmental impact of CCAMLR fishing vessels

This paper provides insights into the development of guidance and new regulations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to improve the safety of fishing vessels operating in polar waters and to reduce the impact of fishing vessels on the polar marine environment and dependent wildlife. It identifies potential overlap with existing CCAMLR Resolutions and proposes that resolutions addressing aspects of safe fishing vessel operations be reviewed and, if appropriate, updated. The paper also recognises work underway at the IMO to reduce ship-sourced marine plastic pollution and calls on CCAMLR to develop an action.

ASOC proposes the following actions be taken by CCAMLR and CCAMLR Members:

• Post the IMO Guidelines on the CCAMLR website.
• Review and update CCAMLR Resolutions 23/XXIII and 34/XXXI to be in line with the requirements of the IMO Guidelines and require the use of the new Guidelines by all CCAMLR licensed, permitted, or authorised fishing vessels.
• Monitor implementation of the Guidelines and collate experience in their use.
• Develop an action plan to reduce marine plastic litter addressing lost, abandoned, and discarded fishing gear, marine paints, ropes and other sources of marine plastics on board fishing vessels.