WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND THE DECISION?

The objective of the Convention is the conservation of all marine life, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and birds, south of 60^o South latitude and in the area between that latitude and the Antarctic Convergence¹ which form part of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. For the purposes of the Convention, the term ‘conservation’ includes rational use.
The decision approves the Convention on behalf of the EU.

KEY POINTS

To conserve marine life, the Convention requires that any fishing and associated activities must follow the following principles:

ensure that the population of any species targeted by such activities does not fall below the levels needed to maintain stable populations.
maintain the ecological relationships between targeted populations and dependent and related populations of Antarctic marine life, and restore depleted populations to the levels defined above; and
prevent changes or minimise the risk of changes in the marine ecosystem which are not potentially reversible over two or three decades, taking into account various factors including environmental changes, with the aim of making possible the sustained conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Scientific Committee

An international Commission, the CCAMLR, set up by the Convention, is responsible for the adoption of conservation measures at its annual meetings designed to ensure the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, including their rational use.
The Scientific Committee is a consultative body set up by the Convention to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation concerning the collection, study and exchange of information of the marine life covered by the Convention. In exercising its functions, the Commission takes full account of the recommendations and advice of the Scientific Committee.
Council Decision (EU) 2019/867, adopted in May 2019, sets out the EU position within the Commission for the period 2019-2023

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (OJ L 252, 5.9.1981, pp. 27-35)

Council Decision 81/691/EEC of 4 September 1981 on the conclusion of the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (OJ L 252, 5.9.1981, p. 26)

Conservation of Antarctic marine living resources

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND THE DECISION?

KEY POINTS

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Scientific Committee

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

BACKGROUND

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENTS

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND THE DECISION?

KEY POINTS

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Scientific Committee

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

BACKGROUND

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENTS

RELATED DOCUMENTS