Ocean Sentry
The Southern Ocean surrounds the continent of Antarctica and is clearly delimited by the Antarctic Convergence (or Polar Front), which is formed where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer waters to the north. The Antarctic Convergence acts as an effective biological barrier, and the Southern Ocean is therefore substantially a closed ecosystem. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources came into force in 1982, as part of the Antarctic Treaty System, in pursuance of the provisions of Article IX of the Treaty.
It was established mainly in response to concerns that an increase in krill catches in the Southern Ocean could have a serious effect on populations of krill and other marine life; particularly on birds, seals and fish, which mainly depend on krill for food.
The aim of the Convention is to conserve marine life of the Southern Ocean. However this does not exclude harvesting carried out in a rational manner.
Achievement of this aim is far from simple – it requires the collection of large quantities of information and the development of appropriate scientific and analytical techniques.
The Convention of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
PREFACE
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is an intergovernmental organisation established by an international convention. The Commission, assisted by the Scientific Committee also established under the Convention, is responsible for developing measures necessary for the conservation of the marine life of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
The negotiation of the Convention was initiated by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties following reports of scientific studies expressing concern that unregulated fishing of Antarctic species, especially krill, could result in irreversible damage to the populations of
other species in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
In 1977 at the Eighth Meeting, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties decided to seek agreement to a wide-ranging conservation convention which would deal not only with the direct effects of harvesting specific organisms, but also with the indirect effects of exploitation on other species. Following a number of diplomatic and scientific conferences, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was drawn up at a special meeting on 20 May 1980 in Canberra, Australia, and signed by the following States:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, German Democratic Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Republic of South Africa, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
and United States of America.
By 8 March 1982, eight of the original signatory States, including two that were fishing in the Convention Area, had ratified the Convention, thus fulfilling the requirements of the Convention to enter into force. The Convention entered into force on 7 April 1982, and the Commission commenced operation in July 1982.
The other seven original signatory States have subsequently ratified the Convention and become Members of the Commission.
Since 1982, Brazil, People’s Republic of China, European Community, India, Italy, Republic of Korea, Namibia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay have satisfied the conditions of the Convention to become Members of the Commission. In total there are now 25 Members of the Commission and 9 other States have acceded to the Convention but are not Members of the Commission, namely Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Finland, Greece,
Mauritius, Netherlands, Peru and Vanuatu.
MEMBERS OF CCAMLR (as of December 2007)
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Chile
China, People’s Republic of
European Community
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Namibia
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Russian Federation
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
STATES PARTY TO THE CONVENTION BUT NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION
Bulgaria
Canada
Cook Islands
Finland
Greece
Mauritius
Netherlands
Peru
Vanuatu