Membership

A CCAMLR Contracting Party is a State or a regional economic integration organisation, such as the European Union, which has committed to the Convention through ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. The CAMLR Convention is open for accession by any State committed to its conservation objectives and interested in research or harvesting activities on Antarctic Marine Living Resources as set out in Article XXIX of the Convention. 

A Contracting Party may become a Member of the Commission in accordance with Article VII of the Convention. Members take part in the decision-making processes of the Commission and the Scientific Committee and contribute to the budget. Contracting Parties that are not Members of the Commission do not take part in decision-making or contribute to the budget but remain bound by the Convention and conservation measures adopted by the Commission. 

Information on the requirements and procedures for Accession to the Convention and Membership of the Commission can be obtained from the CCAMLR Secretariat. 

The following Contracting Parties are Members of the Commission: 

• Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Ecuador, European Union (EU), France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Namibia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), United States of America (USA) and Uruguay. 

The following Contracting Parties are not Members of the Commission and are referred to as Acceding States: 

• Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Finland, Greece, Mauritius, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Panama, Peru and Vanuatu. 

Each Member nominates a Commissioner. The list of Commissioners is available here.