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The Convention’s management objectives balance "conservation" and "rational use" of marine living resources to ensure that stocks are harvested sustainably, existing ecological relationships between harvested, dependent and related species are maintained and depleted populations are restored to levels at which their biological productivity is greatest. FunctionsThe CCAMLR's approach to resource management is founded on two central concepts: ecosystem-based management; and the precautionary approach.
The CCAMLR applies ecosystem-based management to regulate fishing for selected target species while ensuring that fishing does not adversely impact other species that are related to, or dependent on, the target species. The CCAMLR Convention Area is delimited to the north by the Antarctic Convergence (or Polar Front), which acts as an effective biological barrier, and the Antarctic continent to the south. The Convention Area is therefore essentially a closed ecosystem.
CCAMLR applies a precautionary approach that seeks to preserve the "health" of the ecosystem by setting conservative (i.e. precautionary) catch limits to take account of the needs of harvested and associated (“dependent and related”) species in a manner that preserves the ecological sustainability of all species likely to be affected by harvesting, either directly or indirectly. Area of competence
The CCAMLR Convention Area is located in the Southern Ocean. The boundaries of the Convention Area and related statistical areas are shown in blue on the map.
CCAMLR area of competence - High seas, National waters
Species and stocks coverageAntarctic marine living resources comprise the populations of fin fish, molluscs, crustaceans and all other species of living organisms, including birds, found south of the Antarctic Convergence, but excluding whales and seals, which are the subject of other conventions – namely, the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and the 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals . Legal frameworkThe CCAMLR Convention came into force in 1982, as part of the Antarctic Treaty System, in pursuance of the provisions of Article IX of the Treaty - http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/15272.pdf LanguagesEnglish, French, Russian, Spanish. Organizations involved
The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.
Members of the Commission are involved in fishing and/or scientific research in the Convention Area. These activities are coordinated and regulated by the Commission and Scientific Committee with members being legally obligated to fulfil their obligations under the Convention.
Member: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay.
States party to the Convention but not members of the Commission: Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Finland, Greece, Mauritius, Netherlands, Peru, Vanuatu.
For the latest list of members and State parties and their contact details, please consult the CCAMLR Web site: http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/E/ms/contacts.htm StructurePrincipal bodiesThe Commission gives effect to the Convention's objectives and principles following the provisions of Article IX of the Convention. Drawing on the best scientific evidence from its Scientific Committee, the Commission determines catch levels for harvested species. It also adopts conservation measures consistent with Article II of the Convention. These are aimed at minimizing any potential impact that fishing activities may exert on non-target species or the environment.The Commission implements a regulatory framework (i.e. catch limits and/or other measures) whereby it manages the fisheries and related activities for which it is responsible. A key component of the framework is a reference document known as a Fishery Plan. Each Plan provides a comprehensive summary of information on a fishery, including detailed regulatory requirements (i.e. harvest controls, notification requirements, a research and fishery operations plan, and a data collection plan) and outlines of fishing activities (e.g. catch and effort levels).
The Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance (SCIC) and the Standing Committee on Administration and Finance (SCAF) provide relevant advice on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) as well as financial matters, respectively.
Scientific CommitteeThe Scientific Committee conducts its activities as directed by the Commission in pursuance of the Convention’s objectives. The Scientific Committee provides a forum for consultation and cooperation on the collection, scientific study and exchange of information necessary for the Commission to exercise its functions ( Article XV, especially Article XV.2 ).
The Scientific Committee advises the Commission on harvesting levels and other management measures developed through consultation and the application of advanced scientific techniques. Where insufficient data are available to assess sustainable harvesting levels or other conservation measures, a ‘ precautionary approach ’ has been developed to take account of the potential risks associated with incomplete knowledge about the dynamics of a particular resource.
To facilitate its operation, the Scientific Committee has established working groups to assist it in formulating scientific advice on key areas of its responsibility. Currently, the groups serving this function are the Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management, (WG-EMM), the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment (WG-FSA), the Working Group on Statistics and Modelling (WG-SAM) and the Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing (WG-IMAF). These working groups usually meet annually and report their findings directly to the Scientific Committee’s annual meeting.
In turn, the Commission takes full account of the recommendations and advice of the Scientific Committee ( Article IX.4 ) in the development of conservation measures to implement the principles of conservation embodied in the Convention. Conservation measures are reviewed every year at the Commission’s annual meeting. SecretariatThe Secretariat supports the annual meetings of the CCAMLR and carries out the day-to-day functions arising from the work of the Commission and the Scientific Committee, including:
- facilitation of communications with and between members;
- production and distribution of publications;
- receipt and management of scientific data;
- central management of the Catch Documentation Scheme; and
- monitoring of fishing activities and compliance with conservation measures.
Executive Secretary
Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
P O Box 213
North Hobart
Tasmania
7002
Australia
Telephone: (+61) 3 62101111
Fax: (+61) 3 62248744
Email: ccamlr@ccamlr.org
Web site: http://www.ccamlr.org/