Fisheries Management in the Southern Ocean
After almost a quarter of a century of fisheries management, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCALMR), still faces challenges caused by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
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CCALMR uses an ecosystem approach to guide their fisheries management practices. Member states agreed that fisheries management is an integral part of general Antarctic ecosystem management. The welfare of many of Antarctica's wildlife species such as seals and birds depend on the fisheries, and therefore, wildlife needs are taken into account when fishing regulations are set.
The southern oceans surrounding the Antarctic continent that come under CCALMR jurisdiction are divided into three distinct fisheries based on a variety of biological and ocean factors. Currently the CCALMR lists seven species of exploited fish under its jurisdiction. The CCALMR status of the species is presented in quotes.
- Krill - "It is unlikely that the present level of fishing will have an adverse effect on the stock(s)."
- Marbled rockcod - "Despite being protected for more than 10 years, all exploited stocks still appear to be only fractions of their pre-fishing sizes."
- Mackerel icefish - "The South Georgia stock recovered from three episodes of heavy exploitation in the mid-1970s"
- Grey rockcod - "Directed fishing for this stock is prohibited."
- Patagonian toothfish - "Patagonian toothfish are being exploited by longline and bottom trawl both inside and outside the Convention Area"
- Antarctic toothfish - "The fishery is regulated by precautionary TACs imposed by CCALMR for new and exploratory fisheries."
- Patagonian rockcod - "The current status of the stock is unknown. CCALMR has prohibited directed fishing for this species."
Of the seven species listed, the Patagonian toothfish has received the most attention in the United States. The Patagonian toothfish is also known as Chilean Sea Bass, and its high value makes it a top priority catch for many fishing vessels. Over the past decade, increased incidents of IUU fishing for Patagonian toothfish along the boundaries of CCALMR jurisdiction have weakened its ability to properly manage its stocks.
Southern Ocean fishery protection is hampered by dual organization and weather issues. First, the CCALMR does not have a fleet of ships to act as a fisheries enforcement body for the entire Southern Ocean. Member states are responsible for enforcement and while they do participate in limited enforcement activities, they encourage continued cooperative efforts as the appropriate problem solving approach. Second, even if with limited enforcement activity, the Southern Ocean is well known for its challenging climatic conditions, which provide further hindrance to enforcement.
The CCALMR has recently adopted a variety of cooperative measures to help manage the Patagonian toothfish trade. Most notable is the Catch Documentation Scheme, whereby the CCALMR gathers trade data on toothfish markets in member states. The biggest glitch in the system deals with states that are not CCALMR members. These states allow fishing vessels to both fish under their flag and bring the fish to their ports.
The CCALMR adopted what is known in the fisheries management business as the "naming and shaming of IUU vessels" as a means of dealing with this problem. Member states also outlined a policy for communicating with the foreign ministries of non-member states whose vessels practice IUU.
© 2006. Patricia A. Michaels