Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Name	Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Type	Multilateral environmental agreement
Date drafted	May 1980
Date signed	20 May 1980
Location signed	Canberra, Australia
Date effective	7 April 1982
Condition effective	Ratification by eight signatory states
Signatories	15 original parties
Parties	27 members (26 states and the European Union)
Depositor	Government of Australia
Languages	English, French, Russian, and Spanish
Website	https://www.ccamlr.org/

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is a pivotal component of the Antarctic Treaty System, established to safeguard the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean. It was adopted in response to growing concerns over unregulated krill fishing potentially disrupting the delicate Antarctic food web. The convention is renowned for its innovative ecosystem-based and precautionary approach to management, setting it apart from traditional single-species fisheries agreements. Its work is guided by a permanent commission and scientific committee based in Hobart, Australia.

Background and negotiation

The impetus for the convention arose in the 1970s, driven by scientific warnings and the expansion of commercial fishing fleets into the Southern Ocean. Key scientists, including those from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, highlighted the risk that intensive harvesting of krill—a keystone species—posed to dependent predators like penguins, seals, and whales. Negotiations were conducted under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty and were significantly influenced by the contemporaneous discussions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The final diplomatic conference was held in Canberra in 1980, involving original parties such as the Soviet Union, Japan, the United States, and various European Economic Community members. The convention entered into force in 1982, with the Government of Australia serving as the depositary.

Objectives and principles

The primary objective is the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, where "conservation" includes rational use. Its cornerstone is the ecosystem approach, mandating that management decisions consider impacts on the entire marine environment, not just target species. This is underpinned by a precautionary principle, requiring cautious management when information is uncertain. The convention explicitly aims to prevent changes in the marine ecosystem that are not potentially reversible over two or three decades, a forward-looking clause designed to maintain ecological relationships. These principles were revolutionary at the time of adoption and continue to guide the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Membership and governance

Membership is open to states engaged in research or harvesting in the Southern Ocean and to regional economic integration organizations. The convention currently has 27 members, including the European Union and nations such as the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Ukraine. The supreme decision-making body is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which meets annually in Hobart. Each member is represented by a commissioner, and decisions on substantive matters are made by consensus. The commission is supported by a secretariat and relies on scientific advice from a dedicated Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Conservation measures and implementation

The commission adopts legally binding conservation measures to regulate fishing and protect the ecosystem. These measures set catch limits for species like krill, Patagonian toothfish, and Antarctic toothfish, and establish rules for bycatch mitigation. A critical implementation tool is the system of Marine Protected Areas; notable examples include the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA and the large Ross Sea region MPA, one of the world's largest protected areas. Other measures include gear restrictions, seasonal closures, and mandatory Catch Documentation Scheme for toothfish to combat Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Members are responsible for implementing these measures for their flagged vessels and nationals.

Scientific research and advice

Scientific research forms the foundation for all management decisions. The Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources assesses the status of stocks and the ecosystem, providing independent advice to the commission. Key research programs, often conducted by national agencies like the British Antarctic Survey and the Alfred Wegener Institute, focus on ecosystem monitoring, stock assessments, and climate change impacts. The committee manages a robust data repository, including the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program, which tracks indicators of ecosystem health. This close integration of science and policy is a defining feature of the convention's operation.

Compliance and enforcement

Ensuring adherence to conservation measures is a major challenge in the remote Southern Ocean. The convention employs a multifaceted compliance system, including the satellite-based CCAMLR Vessel Monitoring System and mandatory international inspection schemes. The Catch Documentation Scheme for toothfish is a key tool for tracking fish from catch to port, deterring illegal trade. Suspected violations are reviewed by the commission's Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance. Members cooperate through initiatives like the International Maritime Organization's work on vessel safety and through coordinated naval patrols, such as those conducted by members of the Five Eyes alliance and other nations.

Relationship to other agreements

The convention is an integral part of the Antarctic Treaty System and operates in harmony with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. It interacts with global bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Whaling Commission, given overlapping mandates on marine resources. Its principles have influenced other regional fisheries management organizations, such as the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The convention also contributes to broader international goals, including those under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on life below water.

Category:Antarctic Treaty System Category:Fisheries treaties Category:Environmental treaties Category:Treaties concluded in 1980 Category:Treaties entered into force in 1982