Paragraph 3.81 of the report of the CCAMLR Spatial Management Workshop in 2018 recommended that the Scientific Committee consider the creation of an expert group to continue the development of MPAs in Planning Domains 5 and 6, using the model established for the D1MPA. It noted that not everyone involved in the proposed work was directly involved in the CCAMLR community and requested that mechanisms be developed to allow external experts to participate in the expert group.

This paper develops the Terms of Reference for the creation of this Expert Group.

Global threats to ocean biodiversity have generated a worldwide movement to take actions towards improved conservation and management. Several international targets have recommended the adoption of marine protected areas (MPAs) in national and international waters. While establishing MPAs in international waters has proven to be challenging in most of the world, national governments and the Commission for the Conservation of Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) have succeeded in adopting multiple MPAs in the Southern Ocean. But are these MPAs representative of Southern Ocean biodiversity and ecosystems? Here we examine the current status of Antarctic MPAs and future outlook, using existing benthic and pelagic bioregionalizations as a proxy for biodiversity. Currently about 9.9% of the Southern Ocean is protected in MPAs, with 3.9% being encompassed by no-take areas. While this is a relatively large proportion of protection when compared to other international waters, current Antarctic MPAs are not representative of all bioregions. Implementing additional protected areas, including those currently under negotiation, would move towards better representation of the Southern Ocean benthic and pelagic regions. Also, this assessment of representativeness was conducted on the basis of broad benthic and pelagic bioregionalizations, which generally use physical environmental data to delineate areas of likely-similar biodiversity. However, there may be variations in species pools and ecosystem structure between (or even within) ocean basins, and at a finer scale, than is reflected in the bioregions. Further analysis is needed, across multiple scales to help resolve where patterns of biodiversity exist and whether they are encompassed within existing and proposed MPAs.

Robust stock assessments and catch limits for Dissostichus mawsoni according to CCAMLR decision rules remain to be determined for Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2, and precautionary management arrangements are in place as set out in Conservation Measures 41-11 and 41-05. WG-FSA-16/29 outlined the first multi-member toothfish exploratory fishery research plan for these Divisions, including research objectives, methods and milestones in accordance with ANNEX 24-01/A. Subsequent research progress has included updated toothfish habitat models and stock hypothesis (WG-FSA-17/16); updated ageing and growth estimation (WG-FSA-17/15, WG-FSA-17/66); investigation of sex ratios, gonadal development and validation of validation of macro- versus micro-staging of maturity (WG-FSA-17/09); investigation of approaches for mitigation of Macrourus by-catch in research block 58.4.1_6, and estimation of Macrourus biomass and sustainable bycatch in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 (WG-FSA-17/16); and description of encounter rates of VME indicator species (WG-SAM-16/34).

In this paper we report on exploratory fishing activities undertaken by Australia, France, Japan, Republic of Korea and Spain between the 2011/12 and 2017/18 fishing seasons, including the quantity of data and samples collected. Reports relating to specific research milestones for 2018 will be submitted to WG-FSA-18. The summaries provided herein were generated using an R-Markdown document which can be made available to Members to facilitate reporting on data collection in CCAMLR's Exploratory Fisheries.