CCAMLR
Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

DESCRIPTION & FOCUS AREA

Agreement to manage and regulate exploitation of Antarctic marine living resources. A South African scientist is currently chairman of the Scientific Committee. DEAT contributes to the Ecosystem Monitoring Programme.

Acceded: September 1980
Ratified: 1982

The annual meeting took place in November 1998 in Hobart, Australia.

The 2002 annual technical working group meeting was held in Montana, USA.

Ms Theresa Akkers
(27 21) 402 3150

Mr Marius Diemont
(27 21) 402 3182

IMPLICATIONS & BENEFITS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is an original signatory of the 22-nation, international Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). CCAMLR entered into force in 1982 and regulates exploitation of marine living resources in the seas south of the Antarctic Polar Front, including the area around the Prince Edward Islands over which South Africa exercises undisputed national sovereignty.

The convention is a key element in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) and constitutes an important part of South Africa's commitment to the ATS. It is unique amongst international fisheries agreements as it advocates an “ecosystem approach” to fisheries management.

Contracting parties to the convention meet once a year to review technical and scientific matters relevant to the management of the exploitation of Antarctic marine living resources and to formulate management measures.

Since ratifying the convention South Africa has attended both meetings on a regular basis and has also taken a leading role in the various scientific issues addressed during a number of inter-sessional meetings.

Decisions taken by the commission notonly have implications for South Africa as a contracting party, but also impact directly on sovereign territory; South Africa is only one of four nations with undisputed sovereignty in the convention area.

Attendance is also advantageous as many topics relating to the management of marine living resource exploitation from an ecosystem perspective are discussed and important assessments of specific stocks carried out.

All CCAMLR meetings provide an opportunity for departmental staff to interact with their counterparts from other countries, to forge links with top scientists in the fields of Antarctic research and fisheries management, to assume a leading role in an important instrument of the ATS, and to protect national interests with regard to the potential exploitation of marine living resources in a large and geographically proximal area. South Africa is, at present, the only African signatory of the convention; an important factor in terms of the national role in Africa.