Chapter 3 - Conservation and Management
 
3.5 Adoption of conservation and management measures

3.5.1 Extent to which CCAMLR has adopted conservation and management measures for Antarctic marine living resources that ensure the conservation, including rational use, of those resources and are based on the best scientific evidence available

3.5.2 Extent to which CCAMLR has applied a precautionary approach as set forth in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Article 7.5, including the application of precautionary reference points

Recommendation Responsible body Activities to date Status
3.5.2.1 The requirements for conservation of habitats should be reviewed, including existing relevant CMs relating to habitat protection, use of fishing gear that impacts habitats and the monitoring and research programs. As with other aspects of ecosystem management, this should seek a balance between impacts and exploitation. SC (2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5 and 10.6.
Scientific Committee - In progress - ongoing discussion in relation to MPAs and VMEs.
3.5.2.2 Appropriate precautionary approaches and responses to adverse environmental conditions, including climate change, should be developed and adopted. This should recognise that adverse environmental conditions could affect the populations as well as the processes of the Antarctic ecosystem, and that effects could be manifested through changes to harvested species, associated species or dependent species separately or in combination. In the context of this criterion, attention is drawn to the recommendations under Criteria 3.1.1, 3.3.3 and 3.5.4. SC (2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5, 10.7 and 10.8.
Scientific Committee - In progress - Climate Change is an agenda item.

3.5.3 Extent to which CCAMLR is applying uniform principles and procedures to all species in the Antarctic ecosystem

Recommendation Responsible body Activities to date Status
3.5.3.1 Explicit goals and criteria for acceptable impact on all the various categories of species in the CCAMLR management system (e.g. depleted species, harvested species, retained by-catch, non-retained by-catch, trophically dependent species, habitat-forming species and species that constitute VMEs) should be developed and applied. SCIC/SC/
Commission
(2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2008)CCAMLR-XXVII, Annex 5, paragraph 7.6;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7.
Scientific Committee – In progress
SCIC – referred to the Scientific Committee.
3.5.3.2 The RP strongly supported the views expressed in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.17 of the 2007 Scientific Committee report (SC-CAMLR-XXVI) regarding the collection of data from the krill fishery, and recommended that at least the requirements of the new and exploratory fisheries be applied to the krill fishery. The procedures for new and exploratory fisheries should be applied to all new and exploratory fisheries, including the developing krill fishery. SC/
Commission
(2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5, 10.7, 10.8 and 10.11.
Scientific Committee – In progress – krill fishery provides notification and data from observers are being submitted.
3.5.3.3 The basis for selecting species groups to which aggregate catch limits apply, and the basis for determining the aggregate catch limit, should be developed and applied. This relates particularly to aggregate catch limits on by-catch species, but in principle could also be relevant to limits for directed fishing. SC/
Commission
(2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5, 10.7 and 10.8.
Scientific Committee – In progress – aggregate catch limits are developed consistent with information.
3.5.3.4 More explicit criteria for acceptable impacts on habitats and habitat-forming species should be developed. The adequacy or appropriateness of the existing CMs should be reviewed in relation to these criteria and revised as appropriate. SC/SCIC (2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5, 10.7 and 10.8.
Scientific Committee – In progress – VME definitions and impact assessments.
SCIC – referred to the Scientific Committee.

3.5.4 Extent to which CCAMLR has moved toward the adoption of conservation and management measures for previously unregulated fisheries, including new or exploratory fisheries

For this criterion, attention is drawn to the recommendations under Criteria 3.1.1 and 3.5.5.

3.5.5 Extent to which CCAMLR has taken due account of the need to conserve marine biological diversity and minimise harmful impacts of harvesting, research, conservation and associated activities on marine living resources and marine ecosystems

Recommendation Responsible body Activities to date Status
3.5.5.1 An overall strategy and plan should be developed to address conservation of biodiversity in the Convention Area, including the use and contribution of fishery management measures. This should include consideration of providing comprehensive, adequate and representative protection for overall biodiversity in the Convention Area. SC/ Commission   Scientific Committee – In progress – MPA work.
3.5.5.2 The consequences of excluding most of the CCAMLR CMs relevant to this Review criterion from some areas of national jurisdiction should be assessed, and, as necessary, mechanisms should be established to ensure that consistent and coherent management of biodiversity in the Convention Area is achieved. Commission/ Members   Commission – In progress

3.5.6 Extent to which CCAMLR has adopted measures to minimise pollution, waste, discards, catch by lost or abandoned gear, catch of non-target Antarctic marine living resources, and impacts on associated or dependent species through measures including, to the extent practicable, the development and use of selective, environmentally safe and cost-effective fishing gear and techniques

Recommendation Responsible body Activities to date Status
3.5.6.1 The reporting requirements for lost gear from commercial fishing operations should be improved and strengthened1. SCIC/
TASO
The Scientific Committee agreed that lost gear be reported on C2 forms. SCIC - Complete
3.5.6.2 The likely scale and impact of lost fishing gear on fishery target species, and associated and dependent species should be assessed. If this is significant, ongoing procedures should be established, as appropriate, to assess these impacts and account for them in management decision-making. SC/SCIC (2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5 and 10.7 to 10.9.
Scientific Committee – not done - gear loss is recorded but no assessment of impact.
3.5.6.3 Consideration should be given to the risks posed by the introduction of bait into the Convention Area.2 SC (2008)SC-CAMLR-XXVII, paragraphs 10.2 and 10.10;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII/7;
(2009)SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, paragraphs 10.5 and 10.7 to 10.9.
Scientific Committee – not yet considered.

1  See also recommendation 1 under Criterion 2.5.1.

2  See also recommendation 1 under Criterion 2.3.1.