CCAMLR

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is a high-seas multilateral body established by an international convention in 1982. It was created in response to concerns that an increase in krill catches in the Southern Ocean could have a serious impact on populations of other marine life, particularly birds, seals, and fish, which depend on krill for food.

Legal Framework and Jurisdiction

The CCAMLR is part of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). It is not a fisheries management body in the traditional sense; rather, it is a conservation organization that allows for rational use.

Scope and Area of Application

• Convention Area: It covers all marine living resources south of the Antarctic Convergence (the Polar Front), where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer sub-Antarctic waters.
• Legal Status: It is a legally binding international agreement headquartered in Hobart, Australia.
• India’s Participation: India has been a member of CCAMLR since 1986 and plays an active role in Antarctic research and governance through its Antarctic programs.

The Ecosystem Approach to Management

CCAMLR is distinguished by its pioneering “Ecosystem Approach” to conservation.

• Precautionary Principle: Management actions are taken even when scientific data is incomplete to avoid irreversible changes to the marine ecosystem.
• Krill Centrality: Because krill is the cornerstone of the Antarctic food web, CCAMLR strictly regulates krill harvesting to ensure enough remains for predators.
• Rational Use: Unlike a total ban, CCAMLR allows harvesting provided it is done in a sustainable manner that does not harm the wider ecosystem.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

CCAMLR is responsible for designating Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean to protect biodiversity and provide “climate refugia.”

Export to Sheets

Key Regulatory Functions

CCAMLR implements several measures to combat threats to the Antarctic environment.

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

• Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS): A tracking system specifically for Toothfish (Patagonian and Antarctic) to ensure fish entering the market were caught legally.
• Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS): Mandatory satellite tracking for all fishing vessels in the Convention Area.

Species Protection and Bycatch Mitigation

• Seabird Protection: CCAMLR has significantly reduced the accidental bycatch of Albatrosses and Petrels by mandating nocturnal longlining and weighted lines.
• Exploratory Fisheries: New fisheries cannot start without a rigorous scientific assessment of the potential impact on the environment.

India’s Role in CCAMLR

• Research: India conducts regular expeditions to the Southern Ocean to study krill biomass and the impact of climate change.
• Policy: India supports the establishment of new MPAs in East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea, aligning with its commitment to the “30×30” global biodiversity goal (protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030).
• Nodal Agency: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) lead India’s engagement with CCAMLR.

Facts for UPSC Prelims

• Antarctic Convergence: The natural boundary of the CCAMLR area, which is a fluctuating biological border rather than a fixed latitudinal line.
• Decision Making: All decisions within the Commission are made by consensus, meaning every member has an effective veto.
• Relationship with ATS: While it is part of the Antarctic Treaty System, it is a separate legal entity from the Antarctic Treaty itself.
• Scientific Committee: CCAMLR is advised by a Scientific Committee that provides the data necessary for setting Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits.