Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
In the 1990s, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for toothfish in the Convention Area significantly impacted some toothfish stocks. At that time, CCAMLR was aware that other Antarctic marine stocks had been slow to recover from overfishing in the 1970’s and identified that addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing was a critical need.
Based on the concern that IUU fishing seriously compromises the objective of the Convention, CCAMLR has adopted specific conservation measures to promote compliance by vessels and vessel operators including:
- Conservation Measure 10-06 (Scheme to promote compliance by Contracting Party vessels with CCAMLR conservation measures),
- Conservation Measure 10-07 (Scheme to promote compliance by non-Contracting Party vessels with CCAMLR conservation measures) and
- Conservation Measure 10-08 (Scheme to promote compliance by Contracting Party nationals with CCAMLR conservation measures.
These conservation measures establish a procedure for maintaining IUU vessel lists for both Contracting Party vessels and Non-contracting Party vessels as well as requirements to investigate allegations of Contracting Party nationals that engage in IUU fishing activity.
CCAMLR notifies the Flag States of any IUU vessels sighted in the Convention Area and the State whose nationals have been identified as being involved with the vessel’s activities and encourages them to investigate the IUU fishing activity and to advise CCAMLR of steps taken to address any non-compliant activity.
Although the actions taken by the Commission have significantly reduced and effectively eliminated IUU fishing from the Convention Area, IUU fishing remains a concern for the Commission and has the potential to seriously undermine CCAMLR’s conservation objectives. To this end, CCAMLR remains vigilant and engages with Contracting Parties, Non-Contracting Parties and international partners such as INTERPOL, the Joint Analytical Cell and other Regional Fisheries Bodies to combat IUU fishing and the trade of IUU fish products related to CCAMLR.
IUU vessel sighting reports
Members that detect possible or known IUU vessels in the Convention Area, through direct observation by their own vessels or during surveillance activities, are required to provide the details of these sightings to CCAMLR. The Flag States of the sighted vessels are notified and encouraged to investigate the activities of such vessels and to advise CCAMLR of steps taken to investigate and eliminate IUU activity in the Convention Area.
Contracting Party and non-Contracting Party Vessel Lists
The Contracting Party IUU Vessel List and Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List are reviewed, updated and adopted by the Commission each year in accordance with Conservation Measures 10-06 and 10-07. During the annual meeting of the Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance (SCIC), CCAMLR reviews available information, including Member sighting reports, on IUU fishing activities. Vessels included on either the Contracting Party IUU Vessel List or the Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List are deemed by the Commission to have engaged in IUU activities that undermine the effectiveness of CCAMLR conservation measures and threaten toothfish stocks, marine habitats and by-catch species in the Convention Area.
The most recent Contracting Party IUU Vessel List and Non-Contracting Party IUU Vessel List are made available to Members, Contracting Parties, non-Contracting Parties, other inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as the public on the CCAMLR website.
Other IUU vessel lists
CCAMLR has formal Arrangements in place with three Regional Fisheries Management Organisations with convention areas adjacent to the northern border of the CAMLR Convention Area. Links to their IUU vessel lists are given below.
SPRFMO: www.sprfmo.int/measures/iuu-lists/
SEAFO: www.seafo.org/Management/IUU
SIOFA: www.apsoi.org/mcs/iuu-vessels.