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Fisheries Management
© CCAMLR

Fisheries Management Links

Notifications

Fishery notifications

To prevent fisheries from being initiated and expanded before sufficient information is available, and to ensure sustainable fishing practices, Member countries are required to notify the Commission about their intentions to participate in some fisheries inside the Convention area. 

Notifications are required for various types of fisheries: new, exploratory, krill, and research. These must include detailed information on the vessels, fishing areas, and operational plans. They are an essential tool for managing fisheries providing the Scientific Committee with the information required to assess the potential impacts of fishing activities and allowing the Commission to support conservation efforts while balancing the needs of sustainable fishing practices. 

 

How it works

Each year, CCAMLR Members must submit required notifications to fish which include the names of proposed vessels, areas, target species and details of fishing operations. An administrative fee is payable, and there are deadlines for notification submission (1st June) and payment (1st July). The process follows four Conservation Measures (CMs), each corresponding to a different type of fishery:

The Secretariat receives and checks the notifications against the requirements of the CMs, preparing a summary for Commission consideration during annual meetings. Guidelines are updated annually and are available through the CCAMLR online support forum.

 

Research fisheries 

Research fisheries fall under CM 24-01. Fisheries that meet certain criteria — particularly those involving large catches — must submit a detailed Research Plan for review by the Scientific Committee. Collaboration between members is encouraged, and only one notification, covering all participating Members and vessels, is required for each research plan.

For fisheries involving smaller catches, there is a simplified notification process, and notifications can be made by email before the vessel enters the CCAMLR area. All research activities must align with conservation measures and require notifications, including those for minor catches.

Once reviewed by the Commission, approved research fisheries are listed in CM 24-05 or circulated to all members by the Secretariat if the simplified process was applied.

 

New fishery notifications

A new fishery targets a single species using a specific fishing method in a subarea or division where:

  • Information on the distribution, abundance, demography, potential yield, and stock identity from research, surveys, or exploratory fishing has not been submitted to CCAMLR;
  • Catch and effort data have not been submitted to CCAMLR;
  • Catch and effort data from the two most recent seasons have not been submitted.

Members wishing to participate in a new fishery must submit notifications and related information to the Commission by 1 June each year, following the procedures outlined in CM 21-01. Members should contact the Secretariat for guidance on the submission process.

 

Exploratory fishery notifications

Exploratory fisheries aim to collect data on the distribution, abundance, and demography of target species to estimate the fishery's potential yield and assess its impacts on related species. Members intending to participate in an exploratory fishery must submit notifications and relevant information by 1 June each year. Detailed procedures for exploratory fisheries notifications are outlined in CM 21-02, and specific guidelines for exploratory krill fisheries are described in CM 51-04.

All exploratory fisheries are subject to a specific CM with additional requirements for Members and their vessels. The main exploratory fisheries currently active in the CCAMLR area and their respective CMs are as follows:

  • Exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus mawsoni in Division 58.4.2 – CM 41-05
  • Exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus mawsoni in Subarea 48.6 – CM 41-04
  • Exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus mawsoni in Subarea 88.1 and SSRUs 882A–B – CM 41-09
  • Exploratory longline fishery for Dissostichus mawsoni in Subarea 88.2 SSRUs C–I – CM 41-10

 

Krill fishery notifications

Established fisheries for krill (Euphausia superba) operate in certain CCAMLR Subareas and Divisions. Members intending to participate must submit notifications by 1 June each year, following the procedures outlined in CM 21-03.

The main krill fishery currently active in the CCAMLR area operates in Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3, and 48.4, and is mainly regulated by CM 51-01.