For several years, ASOC has been calling for improved management of Antarctic krill fisheries. In this paper, ASOC urges CCAMLR to continue to work towards requiring 100% scientific observer coverage on board krill vessels, identifying priority objectives for research and development in support of the management of the krill fishery, conducting a new krill synoptic survey, keeping the trigger level as the enforceable catch limit, improving monitoring through a strengthened CEMP program, continuing efforts towards estimating green weight and krill escape mortality, reviewing krill notifications procedures with the aim of reducing speculative notifications, and requiring mandatory ice-strengthening for krill fishing vessels.

CCAMLR began work to develop a representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) in 2005. Now in 2014, despite commitment within both the Scientific Committee and the Commission and the concerted effort by CCAMLR Members, significant progress towards implementing a representative system of MPAs has stalled. Furthermore, ASOC has been concerned to see a diminishing scale of ambition for CCAMLR’s representative system of MPAs and marine reserves. ASOC believes that the changes to proposed CCAMLR MPAs over the past several years have reflected a ‘lowest common denominator’ approach to consensus decision-making. The time has come for CCAMLR to move decisively towards meeting its commitment to implement a representative system of MPAs by designating the East Antarctic and Ross Sea MPAs.

There are a number of actions that CCAMLR and its members should implement to improve the governance and control of fishing vessels in the Southern Ocean, thereby enhancing safety, and improving ecosystem-based management and environmental protection. These actions include a mandatory requirement for ice-strengthening for fishing vessels, a two-tier system of training for vessels crews and Masters, and identification of requirements for environmental response and monitoring in the event of an incident. Additionally, CCAMLR should make a commitment to engage fully in the extension of the Polar Code to non-SOLAS vessels including fishing vessels and should inform the IMO of recent incidents involving fishing vessels in the Southern Ocean and developments introduced by CCAMLR.