This COMM CIRC is a guide for Flag States and vessels regarding the practical implementation of Conservation Measures (CMs) 51-01, 51-03, 51-06 and 51-07.

Catch limits for krill (Euphausia superba)

Table 1: Catch limits for Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 and 48.4 as specified in CM 51-01 and 51-07.

1 – Vessel licences

The Secretariat notes that licences for each participating vessel should be provided to the Secretariat as early as possible, and in accordance with CM 10-02, paragraphs 1 and 3, within seven days of the issuance of each licence and prior to the vessel fishing in the Convention Area.

2 – Observers

As every fishing vessel operating in the Convention Area will require a scientific observer, the Secretariat would like to remind all Designating Members of the elements of part C of the Text of the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation, and request that for each observer deployed, the Designating Members provide the following information to the Secretariat prior to the deployment of the observer:

1. name and flag of the vessel receiving the observer;
2. Member designating the observer;
3. area of fishing (CCAMLR statistical area, subarea, division);
4. expected dates of the start and end of the observation program;
5. expected date of returning the observer to his/her home country.

Members participating in krill fisheries should also take note of CM 51-06, which sets out the requirement for data and observer reports to be submitted to CCAMLR according to the requirements of the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation.

The required information should be sent via email to: observer.scheme@ccamlr.org.

3 – Vessel movement (entry/exit) notifications

Vessels must notify the Flag State/Secretariat in accordance with CM 10-04, paragraph 13, and CM 23-06, paragraph 5, within 24 hours of each entry to, exit from and movement between subareas and divisions of the Convention Area or as otherwise required by CM 10-04, paragraph 13 and/or CM 23-06, paragraph 5.

The Secretariat will update all vessel movement notifications on the list of vessel movements page of the CCAMLR website. Vessel entry exit and movement notifications are to be emailed to vms@ccamlr.org.

4 – Data reporting requirements

4.1 – 5 days reporting (CE data)

As per CM 23-06, all vessels operating in the fishery are required to report in accordance with the five-day catch and effort reporting system set out in CM 23-01, even if no catches are taken.

Data shall reach the Secretariat not later than two (2) working days after the end of the reporting period. Failure to submit will generate an official reminder. Persistent failure to submit can result in closure of the fishery to the vessel involved (CM 23-01, paragraph 8).

Updated catch and effort reporting forms and detailed instructions in all languages have been placed on the Data (Forms) section of the CCAMLR website, and the instructions are attached to this COMM CIRC.

4.2 – Monthly reporting (C1 data)

Vessels in the fishery are also required to submit monthly fine-scale catch and effort reports (C1 form) as set out in CM 23-04.

Fishery Data Coordinators are assigned by Party Administrators and are the contacts used when the Secretariat has queries related to the provision of catch and effort data reports. If a Member does not have an assigned Fishery Data Coordinator, the Secretariat will direct all queries to the Member’s Scientific Committee Representative(s).

Please email all completed data forms to: data@ccamlr.org.

4.3 – Vessel sightings

All vessels should report the sighting of other fishing vessels (including support vessels and reefer vessels) in the Convention Area, as required by CM 10-02, paragraph 2(iv).

The report should be sent by the Master of a licensed fishing vessel to the Flag State as soon as possible, as set out in Annex 10-02/A, paragraphs 1 and 2. It is then up to the Flag State to submit to the Secretariat, these reports if they meet the criteria of CM 10-06, paragraph 3 (CP-IUU listing) or CM 10-07, paragraph 8 (NCP-IUU listing).

4.4 – Transhipment notifications

The Secretariat reminds Members of the requirement to notify either 72 hours (CM 10-09, paragraph 2) or 2 hours (CM 10-09, paragraph 3) before every transhipment and to confirm the information of the transhipment within three (3) working days.

Transhipment notifications are to be emailed to data@ccamlr.org on the form in Annex 10-09/A as required by CM 10-09, paragraph 4. A standardised form is available for all Members on the CCAMLR website.

As per CM 91-03, paragraph 4, transhipment activities are prohibited in the South Orkney Islands southern shelf marine protected area.

5 – Communications

All communications from the Secretariat are sent to Fishery Update Contacts via email and will be made available to authenticated users through the secure section of the CCAMLR website Fishery Monitoring – Fishery Notices.

Fishery Update Contacts are assigned by Party Administrators for each Flag State. Contacts on this list will receive Fishery Notices and other communications sent via email throughout season for those fisheries where they have vessels participating and subject to catch limits and closure notices.

Communications will be sent to vessels notified in a fishery where they have an email address recorded as part of the vessel details submitted in accordance with CM 10-02 by the Party Administrator, unless the Secretariat is otherwise directed by the Flag State.

5.1 – Fishery Notices

The information required by CM 23-01, paragraph 5, will be issued by Fishery Notice including:

• the total catch taken during the most recent reporting period;
• the total aggregate catch for the season to date;
• an estimate of the date on which the catch limit is likely to be reached for the season (the forecast closure date);
• the number of vessels active in the fishery; and
• the number of reports due, received and that have not yet been received (if any).

Fishery Notices will be issued on the first working day after the deadline has passed for receipt of the reports for each period on weekdays.

5.2 – Forecasting the fishery closure date

The Secretariat will forecast closure dates separately for each of the areas listed in Table 1 as established in CM 23-01, paragraph 5.

The Secretariat will communicate its forecasts at the earliest opportunity, prior to the predicted closure date and time, in accordance with CM 23-01, paragraph 7 and CM 31-02.

5.3 – Closure notices

The Secretariat will notify the closure of a fishery by COMM CIRC, which will also be sent by email to Fishery Update Contacts and vessels notified and licenced to participate in the applicable fishery.

6 – Further information

If further information is required, please contact the Secretariat at fishery_monitoring@ccamlr.org.