Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
What is CCAMLR?
CCAMLR is an international agreement that was established to sustainably manage Southern Ocean fisheries. It is unique in its "ecosystem-as-a-whole" approach to the management of fisheries because its aim is not only to conserve the targeted species, but also to take into account the impacts of fishing on those animals (seals, whales, penguins and other sea birds, fish, squid, etc.) that depend on the targeted species.
Which countries are part of CCAMLR?
CCAMLR has 24 official Members, while 7 additional States have acceded to the Convention (click here for list) and a number of other States implement some of the Commission’s conservation measures, most notably the Catch Documentation Scheme (click here for list).
How does CCAMLR operate?
CCAMLR meets annually at its Secretariat in Hobart, Tasmania. Meetings are only open to nominated representatives of CCAMLR Members and to invited observers from other States and specific organizations, of which ASOC is proud to be one. At these meetings, reports of Members’ activities and compliance with conservations measures are reviewed, and, based on advice from the Scientific Committee, new regulatory measures and conservation measures are adopted by consensus.
Does CCAMLR live up to its goals of sustainable, ecosystem-based management?
During the past years, precautionary principles have gradually become embedded in some of CCAMLR's management mechanisms. But it is a slow process because of the consensus decision-making process. CCAMLR is faced with a huge, out-of-control illegal fishing situation in the Southern Ocean that renders largely meaningless all these fine principles. For more information, click below to read the papers we have submitted at CCAMLR meetings.
CCAMLR and Illegal Pirate Fishing
CCAMLR's Catch Documentation Scheme
Problems and Prospects for the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Twenty Years On (paper presented to the American Society for International Law and at XXI CCAMLR)
A complete listing of information papers presented by ASOC at CCAMLR meetings since 2002 is available here.