Structure and summary of vulnerable marine ecosystem data collection in CCAMLR

As part of the CCAMLR international internship in 2024, a summary was made of the Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME) dataset currently available at the Secretariat. The data has been collected for 15 years based on CM 22-07 within the convention area. Relevant bycatch of longline bottom fisheries was categorised in VME indicator species, which has to be reported to the Secretariat if certain amounts of bycatch are reached. The data currently available is an extensive dataset which could provide valuable insights into the impact of bottom fisheries to the benthic ecosystem in the Southern Ocean