[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63752-63757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30248]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 2302]


Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs; Conservation Measures for Antarctic Fishing Under the Auspices 
of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources

agency: Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs, State.

action: Notice.

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summary: At its Fourteenth Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, October 24 to 
November 3, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine 
Living Resources (CCAMLR), of which the United States is a member, 
adopted the conservation measures listed below, pending countries' 
approval, pertaining to fishing in the CCAMLR Convention Area in 
Antarctic waters. These were agreed upon in accordance with Article IX 
of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources. The measures restrict overall catches of certain species of 
fish, prohibit the taking of certain species of fish, list the fishing 
seasons, define the reporting requirements, and specify measures that 
must be taken to minimize the incidental taking of non-target species.

dates: Persons wishing to comment on the measures or desiring more 
information should submit written comments by January 11, 1996.

for further information contact: Erica Keen, Division of Polar Affairs, 
Office of Oceans Affairs (OES/OA/PA), Room 5805, Department of State, 
Washington, D.C. 20520, (202) 647-3262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Conservation Measures Adopted at the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of 
CCAMLR

    At its Fourteenth Annual Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, October 24 to 
November 3, 1995, the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic 
Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) adopted the following conservation 
measures. The conservation measures addressing catch limitations were 
adopted in accordance with Conservation Measure 7/V and therefore enter 
into force immediately.

Conservation Measures Adopted in 1995

Conservation Measure 29/XIV 1, 2

Minimization of the Incidental Mortality of Seabirds in the Course of 
Longline Fishing or Longline Fishing Research in the Convention Area
    The Commission,
    Noting the need to reduce the incidental mortality of seabirds 
during longline fishing by minimizing their attraction to fishing 
vessels and by preventing them from attempting to seize baited hooks, 
particularly during the period when the lines are set,
    Adopts the following measures to reduce the possibility of 
incidental mortality of seabirds during longline fishing.
    1. Fishing operations shall be conducted in such a way that the 
baited hooks sink as soon as possible after they are put in the 
water.\3\ Only thawed bait shall be used.
    2. Longlines shall be set at night only (i.e., between the times of 
nautical twilight).\4\ During longline fishing at night, only the 
minimum ship's lights necessary for safety shall be used.
    3. The dumping of offal shall be avoided as far as possible while 
longlines are being set or hauled; if discharge of offal is 
unavoidable, this discharge shall take place on the opposite side of 
the vessel to that where longlines are set or hauled.
    4. Every effort should be made to ensure that birds captured alive 
during longlining are released alive and that wherever possible hooks 
are removed without jeopardizing the life of the bird concerned.
    5. A streamer line designed to discourage birds from settling on 
baits during deployment of longlines shall be towed. Specification of 
the streamer line and its method of deployment is given in the Appendix 
to this Measure. Details of the construction relating to the number and 
placement of swivels may be varied so long as the effective sea surface 
covered by the streamers is no less than that covered by the currently 
specified design. Details of the device dragged in the water in order 
to create tension in the line may also be varied.
    6. Other variations in the design of streamer lines may be tested 
on vessels carrying two observers, at least one appointed in accordance 
with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation, 
providing that all other elements of this Conservation Measure are 
complied with.\5\

________________

    \1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Kerguelen and Crozet 
Islands.
    \2\ Except for waters adjacent to the Prince Edward Islands.
    \3\ For vessels using the Spanish method of longline fishing, 
weights should be released before line tension occurs; wherever 
possible weights of at least 6 kg mass should be used, spaced at 20 
m intervals.
    \4\ Wherever possible, setting of lines should be completed at 
least three hours before dawn (to reduce loss of bait to/catches of 
white-chinned petrels).
    \5\ The streamer lines under test should be constructed and 
operated taking full account of the principles set out in WG-IMALF-
94/19 (available from the CCAMLR Secretariat); testing should be 
carried out independently of actual commercial fishing and in a 
manner consistent with the spirit of Conservation Measure 65/XII.

[[Page 63753]]


Conservation Measure 45/XIV

Precautionary Catch Limitation on Euphausia superba in Statistical 
Division 58.4.2
    The total catch of Euphausia superba in Statistical Division 58.4.2 
shall be limited to 450 000 tonnes in any fishing season. A fishing 
season begins on 1 July and finishes on 30 June of the following year.
    This limit shall be kept under review by the Commission, taking 
into account the advice of the Scientific Committee.
    For the purposes of implementing this Conservation Measure, the 
catches shall be reported to the Commission on a monthly basis.

Conservation Measure 78/XIV

Precautionary Catch Limits on Champsocephalus gunnari and Dissostichus 
eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.5.2
    1. In accordance with the management advice of the 1994 meeting of 
the Scientific Committee:
    (ii) a precautionary TAC of 311 tonnes in any one season shall be 
set for Champsocephalus gunnari in Division 58.5.2; and
    (ii) a precautionary TAC of 297 tonnes in any one season shall be 
set for Dissostichus eleginoides in Division 58.5.2.
    These TACs may only be taken by trawling.
    2. If, in the course of a directed fishery for Dissostichus 
eleginoides or Champsocephalus gunnari, the by-catch in any haul of any 
of the species Lepidonotothen squanifrons, Notothenia rossii, 
Channichthys rhinoceratus or Bathyraja spp. exceeds 5%, the fishing 
vessel shall move to another fishing location not closer than 5 n miles 
distant.\1\ The fishing vessel shall not fish within 5 n miles of the 
location in which the by-catch exceeded 5%, for a period of at least 
five days.\2\
    3. The Ten-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 61/XII and the Monthly Effort and Biological Data 
Reporting System set out in Conservation Measure 52/XI shall apply.
    4. The fishing season shall commence in each year at the close of 
the annual meeting of the Commission and shall continue until the 
respective precautionary catch limits are reached or until 30 June, 
whichever comes first.
    5. The catch limits shall be kept under review by the Commission, 
taking into account the advice of the Scientific Committee.

________________

    \1\ This provision is adopted pending the adoption of a more 
appropriate definition of a fishing ground by the Commission.
    \2\ The specified period is adopted in accordance with the 
reporting period specified in Conservation Measure 51/XXI, pending 
the adoption of a more appropriate period by the Commission.

Conservation Measure 88/XIV

New Fishery in Statistical Division 58.4.3 in the 1995/96 Season
    The Commission,
    Welcoming the notification of Australia of its intention to conduct 
a new fishery in Statistical Division 58.4.3 for Dissostichus species.
    Noting that no other Member has notified the Commission of the 
intent to establish a new fishery for these species in this Statistical 
Division.
    Agreeing that no other fishing shall occur for the Dissostichus 
species in Statistical Division 58.4.3 in the 1995/96 season.

adopts the following Conservation Measure in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 31/X:
    1. The new fishery by Australia for Dissostichus eleginoides and D. 
mawsoni in Statistical Division 58.4.3 shall be limited to 200 tonnes 
for both species combined. This fishery shall be conducted by bottom 
trawling only.
    2. For the purposes of this new fishery, the fishing season is 
defined as the period from 4 November 1995 until 30 June 1996.
    3. The by-catch of any other species in this Statistical Division 
shall not exceed 50 tonnes for each species.
    4. Fishing should take place over as large a geographical and 
bathymetric range as possible within the Statistical Division. In 
particular, areas where concentrations of fish are found should not be 
the only areas that are fished.
    5. The Ten-day Catch and Effort Reporting System, as set out in 
Conservation Measure 61/XII shall apply.
    6. Monthly effort and biological data shall be reported in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 52/XI. By-catch species are 
defined as any cephalopod, crustacean or fish species other than 
Dissostichus species.

Conservation Measure 89/XIV

New Fishery in Statistical Division 58.5.2 in the 1995/96 Season for 
Deep-water Species
    The Commission,
    Welcoming the notification of Australia of its intention to conduct 
a new fishery in the 1995/96 season in Statistical Division 58.5.2 for 
deep-water species, not covered by Conservation Measure 78/XIV,
    Noting that no other Member has notified the Commission of the 
intent to establish a new fishery for these species in this Statistical 
Division,

adopts the following Conservation Measure in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 31/X:
    1. The new fishery by Australia for deep-water species, not covered 
by Conservation Measure 78/XIV, shall be limited to 50 tonnes for each 
species. This fishery shall be conducted by bottom trawling only.
    2. For the purposes of this new fishery, the fishing season is 
defined as the period from 4 November 1995 to 30 June 1996.
    3. If, in any haul, the by-catch of any of the species 
Lepidonotothen squamifrons, Notothenia rossi, Channichthys rhinoceratus 
or Bathyraja spp. exceeds 5%, the fishing vessel shall move to another 
location not closer than 5 n miles distant.\1\ The fishing vessel shall 
not fish within 5 n miles of the location in which the by-catch 
exceeded 5%, for a period of at least five days\2\.
    4. The Ten-day Catch and Effort Reporting System, as set out in 
Conservation Measure 61/XII shall apply.
    5. Monthly effort and biological data shall be reported in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 52/XI.

________________

    \1\ This provision is adopted pending the adoption of a more 
appropriate definition of a fishing ground by the Commission.
    \2\ The specified period is adopted in accordance with the 
reporting period specified in Conservation Measure 51/XII, pending 
the adoption of a more appropriate period by the Commission.

Conservation Measure 90/XIV

Experimental Harvest Regime for the Crab Fishery in Statistical Subarea 
48.3 for the Seasons 1995/96 to 1997/98
    The following measures apply to all crab fishing within Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 for the 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98 fishing seasons. 
Every vessel participating in the crab fishery in Subarea 48.3 shall 
conduct fishing operations in accordance with an experimental fishing 
regime as outlined below:
    1. The experimental regime shall consist of three phases. Each 
vessel participating in the fishery shall complete all three phases. 
Phase 1 shall be conducted during the first season that a vessel 
participates in the experimental regime. Phases 2 and 3 shall be 
completed in the next season of fishing.
    2. Vessels shall conduct Phase 1 of the experimental regime at the 
start of their first season of participation in the 

[[Page 63754]]
experimental regime. For the purposes of Phase 1, the following 
conditions shall apply:
    (i) Phase 1 shall be defined as a vessel's first 200,000 pot hours 
of effort at the start of its first fishing season;
    (ii) every vessel conducting Phase 1 shall expend its first 200,000 
pot hours of effort within a total area delineated by twelve 0.5 deg. 
latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude blocks. For the purposes of this 
Conservation Measure, these blocks shall be numbered A through L. The 
blocks are illustrated in Figure 1, and the northeast corner of each 
block is listed in Table 1 of Annex 90/A. For each string, pot hours 
shall be calculated by taking the total number of pots on the string 
and multiplying by the soak time (in hours) for that string. Soak time 
shall be defined for each string as the time between start of setting 
and start of hauling;
    (iii) vessels shall not fish outside the area delineated by the 
twelve 0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude blocks prior to 
completing Phase 1;
    (iv) during Phase 1, vessels shall not expend more than 30,000 pot 
hours in any single 0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude block;
    (v) if a vessel returns to port before it has expended 200,000 pot 
hours in Phase 1, the balance of remaining pot hours shall be expended 
before the vessel can consider Phase 1 to be completed; and
    (vi) after completing 200,000 pot hours of experimental fishing, 
vessels shall consider Phase 1 to be completed and commence fishing in 
a normal fashion.
    3. Normal fishing operations shall be conducted in accordance with 
the regulations set out in Conservation Measure 91/XIV.
    4. For the purposes of implementing normal fishing operations after 
Phase 1 of the experimental regime, the Ten-day Catch and Effort 
Reporting System set out in Conservation Measure 61/XII shall apply.
    5. Vessels shall conduct Phase 2 of the experimental regime at the 
start of their second season of participation in the experimental 
regime. For the purposes of Phase 2, the following conditions shall 
apply:
    (i) every vessel conducting Phase 2 shall fish in three small 
squares measuring approximately 26 n miles \2\ in area (the dimensions 
of these squares shall be 6.0' latitude by 7.5' longitude). These 
squares shall be subdivisions of the blocks delineated in Phase 1 of 
the experimental regime;
    (ii) vessel captains shall determine the location of the three 
squares that will be fished, but selected squares may not be contiguous 
and the distance between the boundaries of any two squares must be at 
least 4 n miles;
    (iii) vessels shall fish continuously (except in emergencies or 
foul weather conditions) within a single square until the average catch 
per pot has been reduced to 25% or less of its initial value and then 
continue fishing for an additional 7,500 pot hours. Not more than 
50,000 total pot hours shall be expended in each square. For the 
purposes of Phase 2, the initial catch rate for a particular square 
shall be defined as the average catch per pot calculated from the first 
five sets made in that square. Soak times for these initial sets shall 
be at least 24 hours;
    (iv) vessels shall finish fishing in one square before starting 
operations in another square;
    (v) vessels shall attempt to distribute effort throughout the 
entire square and not fish the gear in the same location on every set; 
and
    (vi) after completing fishing operations in the third square, 
fishing vessels shall consider Phase 2 to be completed and commence 
fishing in a normal fashion.
    6. For the purposes of implementing normal fishing operations after 
Phase 2 of the experimental regime, the Ten-day Catch and Effort 
Reporting System set out in Conservation Measure 61/XII shall apply.
    7. Vessels shall conduct Phase 3 of the experimental regime at the 
end of their second season of participation in the experimental regime. 
For the purposes of Phase 3, the following conditions shall apply:
    (i) a vessel shall begin conducting Phase 3 of the experimental 
regime approximately one week prior to the conclusion of its second 
fishing season. A vessel's fishing season shall be concluded if the 
vessel leaves the fishery voluntarily of if the fishery is closed 
because the TAC has been attained;
    (ii) if a vessel captain voluntarily concludes fishing operations, 
the vessel shall begin implementing Phase 3 approximately one week 
prior to the conclusion of its fishing operations;
    (iii) the CCAMLR Secretariat shall notify (according to the 
guidelines set out in Conservation Measure 61/XII) all Contracting 
Parties that are conducting operations in their second experimental 
fishing season to begin Phase 3 when approximately one week remains 
before the TAC is attained and the fishery is closed; and
    (iv) to conduct Phase 3, every vessel shall return to the three 
squares it depleted during Phase 2 of the experimental regime and 
expend between 10,000 and 15,000 pot hours of effort in each square.
    8. To facilitate analysis of data collected during Phases 2 and 3, 
vessels shall report the coordinates defining the boundaries of the 
squares where fishing occurred, date, fishing effort (number and 
spacing of pots and soak time), and catch (numbers and weight) for each 
haul.
    9. Data collected during the experimental harvest regime up to 30 
June in any split-year shall be submitted to CCAMLR by 31 August of the 
following split-year.
    10. Vessels that complete all three phases of the experimental 
regime shall not be required to conduct experimental fishing in future 
seasons. However, these vessels shall abide by the guidelines set forth 
in Conservation Measure 91/XIV.
    11. Fishing vessels shall participate in the experiment 
independently (e.g., vessels may not cooperate to complete phases of 
the experiment).
    12. Crabs captured during the experimental regime shall be 
considered part of the prevailing TAC for the current fishing season 
(e.g., for 1995/96, experimental catches shall be considered part of 
the 1,600 tonne TAC outlined in Conservation Measure 91/XIV).
    13. The experimental regime shall be instituted for a period of 
three split-years (1995/96 to 1997/98), and the details of the regime 
may be revised by the Commission during this period of time. Fishing 
vessels that begin experimental fishing in the 1997/98 split-year must 
complete the regime during the 1998/99 split-year.
Annex 90/A

Locations of Fishing Areas for the Experimental Regime of the 
Exploratory Crab Fishery

  Table 1.--Northeast Corners for Twelve 0.5 deg. Latitude by 1.0 deg.  
   Longitude Blocks That Are Considered To Be the Operational Area for  
   Fishing Vessels Conducting Phase 1 of the Experimental Crab Fishery  
                  Regime (Conservation Measure 90/XIV)                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Coordinates of Northeast   
                                                      Corner            
                Block No.                -------------------------------
                                             Latitude        Longitude  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................  53 deg.30.0' S  39 deg.00.0' W
B.......................................  53 deg.30.0' S  38 deg.00.0' W
C.......................................  53 deg.30.0' S  37 deg.00.0' W
D.......................................  53 deg.30.0' S  36 deg.00.0' W
E.......................................  53 deg.30.0' S  35 deg.00.0' W
F.......................................  54 deg.00.0' S  36 deg.00.0' W

[[Page 63755]]
                                                                        
G.......................................  54 deg.00.0' S  35 deg.00.0' W
H.......................................  54 deg.30.0' S  35 deg.00.0' W
I.......................................  54 deg.30.0' S  34 deg.00.0' W
J.......................................  55 deg.00.0' S  36 deg.00.0' W
K.......................................  55 deg.00.0' S  35 deg.00.0' W
L.......................................  55 deg.00.0' S  34 deg.00.0' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Conservation Measure 91/XIV

Limits on the Exploratory Crab Fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in 
the 1995/96 Season
    The following Conservation Measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. The crab fishery is defined as any commercial harvest activity 
in which the target species is any member of the crab group (Order 
Decapoda, Suborder Reptantia).
    2. In Statistical Subarea 48.3, the crab fishing season is defined 
as the period from 4 November 1995 to end of the Commission meeting in 
1996, or until the TAC is reached, whichever is sooner.
    3. The crab fishery shall be limited to one vessel per Member.
    4. The total catch of crab from Statistical Subarea 48.3 shall not 
exceed 1 600 tonnes during the 1995/96 crab fishing season.
    5. Each Member intending to participate in the crab fishery shall 
notify the CCAMLR Secretariat at least three months in advance of 
starting fishing of the name, type, size, registration number, radio 
call sign, and research and fishing operations plan of the vessel that 
the Member has authorized to participate in the crab fishery.
    6. All vessels fishing for crab shall report the following data to 
CCAMLR by 31 August 996 for crabs caught prior to 31 July 1996:
    (i) the location, date, depth, fishing effort (number and spacing 
of pots and soak time), and catch (numbers and weight) of commercially 
sized crabs (reported on as fine a scale as possible, but no coarser 
than 0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude) for each 10-day period;
    (ii) the species, size, and sex of a representative subsample of 
crab sampled according to the procedure set out in Annex 91/A (between 
35 and 50 crabs shall be sampled every day from the line hauled just 
prior to noon) and by-catch caught in traps, and
    (iii) other relevant data, as possible, according to the 
requirements set out in Annex 91/A.
    7. For the purposes of implementing this conservation measure, the 
Ten-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in Conservation 
Measure 61/XII shall apply.
    8. Data on catches taken between 31 July 1996 and 31 August 1996 
shall be reported to CCAMLR by 30 September 1996 so that the date will 
be available to the working group on Fish Stock Assessment.
    9. Crab fishing gear shall be limited to the use of crab pots 
(traps). The use of all other methods of catching crabs (e.g., bottom 
trawls) shall be prohibited.
    10. The crab fishery shall be limited to sexually mature male 
crabs--all female and undersized male crabs caught shall be released 
unharmed. in the case of Paralomis spinosissima and P. formosa, males 
with a minimum carapace width of 102 mm and 90 mm, respectively, may be 
retained in the catch.
    11. Crab processed at sea shall be frozen as crab sections (minimum 
size of crabs can be determined using crab sections).
Annex 91/A

Data Requirements on the Exploratory Crab Fishery in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3

Catch and Effort Data
Cruise Descriptions
    cruise code, vessel code, permit number, year.
Pot Descriptions
    diagrams and other information, including pot shape, dimensions, 
mesh size, funnel position, aperture and orientation, number of 
chambers, presence of an escape port.
Effort Descriptions
    date, time, latitude and longitude of the start of the set, compass 
bearing of the set, total number of pots set, spacing of pots on the 
line, number of pots lost, depth, soak time, bait type.
Catch Descriptions
    retained catch in numbers and weight, by-catch of all species (see 
Table 1), incremental record number for linking with sample 
information.

Table 1.--Data Requirements for By-Catch Species in the Exploratory Crab
                   Fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                         Data requirements       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dissostichus eleginoides..............  Numbers and estimated total     
                                         weight.                        
Notothenia rossii.....................  Numbers and estimated total     
                                         weight.                        
Other Species.........................  Estimated total weight.         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Biological Data
    For these data, crabs are to be sampled from the line hauled just 
prior to noon, by collecting the entire contents of a number of pots 
spaced at intervals along the line so that between 35 and 50 specimens 
are represented in the subsample.
Cruise Descriptions
    cruise code, vessel code, permit number.
Sample Descriptions
    date, position at start of the set, compass bearing of the set, 
line number.
Data
    species, sex, length of at least 35 individuals, presence/absence 
of rhizocephalan parasites, record of the destination of the crab 
(kept, discarded, destroyed), record of the pot number from which the 
crab comes.

Conservation Measure 92/XIV

Catch Limit on Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 48.4 for 
the 1995/96 Season
    1. The total catch of Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Subarea 48.4 in the 1995/96 season shall be limited to 28 tonnes.
    2. For the purposes of the fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Subarea 48.4, the 1995/96 fishing season is defined as the 
period from 1 March to 31 August 1996, or until the TAC for 
Dissostichus eleginoides in Subarea 48.4 is reached, or until the TAC 
for Dissostichus eleginoides in Subarea 48.3, as specified in 
Conservation Measure 93/XIV is reached, whichever is sooner.
    3. Each vessel participating in the Dissostichus eleginoides 
fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.4 in the 1995/96 season shall have at 
least one scientific observer, including one appointed in accordance 
with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation, on 
board throughout all fishing activities within the fishing period.
    4. For the purpose of implementing this Conservation Measure:
    (i) the Five-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 

[[Page 63756]]
    Conservation Measure 51/XII shall apply in the 1995/96 season, 
commencing on 1 March 1996; and
    (ii) the Effort and Biological Data Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 94/XIV shall apply in the 1995/96 season, 
commencing on 1 March 1996.
    5. Directed fishing shall be by longlines only. The use of all 
other methods of directed fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Subarea 48.4 shall be prohibited.

Conservation Measure 93/XIV

Limits on the Fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 for the 1995/96 Season
    This Conservation Measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. The total catch of Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 in the 1995/96 season shall be limited to 4,000 tonnes.
    2. For the purposes of the fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Subarea 48.3, the 1995/96 fishing season is defined as the 
period from 1 March to 31 August 1996, or until the TAC is reached, 
whichever is the sooner.
    3. Each vessel participating in the Dissostichus eleginoides 
fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1995/96 season shall have at 
least one scientific observer, including one appointed in accordance 
with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation, on 
board throughout all fishing activities within the fishing period.
    4. For the purpose of implementing this Conservation Measure:
    (i) the Five-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 51/XII shall apply in the 1995/96 season, 
commencing on 1 March 1996; and
    (ii) the Effort and Biological Data Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 94/XIV shall apply in the 1995/96 season, 
commencing on 1 March 1996.
    5. Directed fishing shall be by longlines only. The use of all 
other methods of directed fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Sabarea 48.3 shall be prohibited.

Conservation Measure 94/XIV

Effort and Biological Data Reporting System for Dissostichus 
eleginoides in Statistical Subareas 48.3 and 48.4 for the 1995/96 
Season
    This Conservation Measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. At the end of each month each Contracting Party shall obtain 
from each of its vessels the haul-by-haul data required to complete the 
CCAMLR fine-scale catch and effort data form for longline fisheries 
(Form C2, latest version). These data shall include numbers of seabirds 
and marine mammals of each species caught and released or killed. It 
shall transmit those data to the Executive Secretary not later than the 
end of the following month.
    2. At the end of each month, each Contracting Party shall obtain 
from each of its vessels a representative sample of length composition 
measurements from the fishery (Form B2, latest version). It shall 
transmit those data to the Executive Secretary not later than the end 
of the following month.
    3. For the purpose of implementing this Conservation Measure:
    (i) length measurements of fish should be of total length to the 
nearest centimeter below; and
    (ii) representative samples of length composition should be taken 
from a single fishing ground.\1\ In the event that the vessel moves 
from one fishing ground to another during the course of a month, then 
separate length compositions should be submitted for each fishing 
ground.

    \1\ Pending the provision of a more appropriate definition, the 
term fishing ground is defined here as the area within a single 
fine-scale rectangle (0.5 deg. latitude by 1 deg. longitude).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Should a Contracting Party fail to transmit the fine-scale catch 
and effort data or length composition data to the Executive Secretary 
by the deadline specified in paragraph 2, the Executive Secretary shall 
issue a reminder to the Contracting Party. If at the end of a further 
two months those data have still not been provided the Executive 
Secretary shall notify all Contracting parties of the closure of the 
fishery to vessels of the Contracting Party which has failed to supply 
the data as required.

________________

Conservation Measure 95/XIV

Limitation of the By-catch of Gobionotothen gibberifrons, 
Chaenocephalus aceratus, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus, Notothenia 
rossii and Lepidonotothen squamifrons, in Statistical Subarea 48.3
    This Conservation Measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    In any directed fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in any fishing 
season, the by-catch of Gobionotothen gibberifrons shall not exceed 
1,470 tonnes; the by-catch of Chaenocephalus aceratus shall not exceed 
2,200 tonnes; and the by-catch of Pseudochaenichthys georgianus, 
Notothenia rossii and Lepidonotothen squamifrons shall not exceed 300 
tonnes each.
    These limits shall be kept under review by the Commission taking 
into account the advice of the Scientific Committee.

Conservation Measure 96/XIV

Precautionary TAC for Electrona carl bergi in Statistical Subarea 48.3 
for the 1995/96 Season
    This Conservation Measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. For the purposes of this Conservation Measure the fishing season 
for Electrona carlsbergi is defined as the period from 4 November 1995 
to the end of the Commission meeting in 1996.
    2. The total catch of Electrona carlsbergi in the 1995/96 season 
shall not exceed 109,000 tonnes in Statistical Subarea 48.3.
    3. In addition, the total catch of Electrona carlsbergi in the 
1995/96 season shall not exceed 14,500 tonnes in the Shag Rocks region, 
defined as the area bounded by 52 deg.30'S, 40 deg.W; 52 deg.30'S, 
44 deg.W; 54 deg.30'S, 40 deg.W and 54 deg.30'S, 44 deg.W.
    4. In the event that the catch of Electrona carlsbergi is expected 
to exceed 20,000 tonnes in the 1995/96 season, a survey of stock 
biomass and age structure shall be conducted during that season by the 
principal fishing nations involved. A full report of this survey 
including data on stock biomass (specifically including area surveyed, 
survey design and density estimates), age structure and the biological 
characteristics of the by-catch shall be made available in advance for 
discussion at the 1996 meeting of the Working Group on Fish Stock 
Assessment.
    5. The directed fishery for Electrona carlsbergi in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 shall close if the by-catch of any of the species named in 
Conservation Measure 95/XIV reaches its by-catch limit or if the total 
catch of Electrona carlsbergi reaches 109,000 tonnes, whichever comes 
first.
    6. The directed fishery for Electrona carlsbergi in the Shag Rocks 
region shall close if the by-catch of any of the species named in 
Conservation Measure 95/XIV reaches its by-catch limit or if the total 
catch of Electrona carlsbergi reaches 14,500 tonnes, whichever comes 
first.
    7. if, in the course of the directed fishery for Electrona 
carlsbergi, the catch of any one haul of any species other than the 
target species exceeds 5%, the fishing vessel shall move to 

[[Page 63757]]
another fishing location not closer than 5 n miles distant.\1\ The 
fishing vessel shall not fish within 5 n miles of location in which the 
catch of species, other than the target species, exceeded 5%, for a 
period of at least five days.\2\

    \1\ This provision is adopted pending the adoption of a more 
appropriate definition of a fishing ground by the Commission.
    \2\ The specified period is adopted in accordance with the 
reporting period specified in Conservation Measure 51/XII, pending 
the adoption of a more appropriate period by the Commission.
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    8. For the purpose of implementing this Conservation Measure:
    (i) the Catch Reporting System set out in Conservation measure 40/X 
shall apply in the 1995/96 season; and
    (ii) the Monthly Effort and Biological Data Reporting System set 
out in Conservation Measure 52/XI also shall apply in the 1995/96 
season. For the purposes of Conservation Measure 52/XI, the target 
species is Electrona carlsbergi, and `by-catch species' are defined as 
any cephalopod, crustacean or fish species other than Electrona 
carlsbergi. For the purposes of paragraph 6(ii) of Conservation Measure 
52/XI a representative sample shall be a minimum of 500 fish.

________________

Conservation Measure 97/XIV

Limitation of the Total Catch of Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 in the 1995/96 Season
    The Commission adopted this Conservation Measure in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. The total catch of Champsocephalus gunnari in the 1995/96 season 
shall not exceed 1 000 tonnes in Statistical Subarea 48.3.
    2. The fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 
48.3 shall close if the by-catch of any of the species listed in 
Conservation Measure 95/XIV reaches its by-catch limit or if the total 
catch of Champsocephalus gunnari reaches 1 000 tonnes, whichever comes 
first.
    3. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Champsocephalus 
gunnari, the by-catch in any one haul of any of the species named in 
Conservation Measure 95/XIV exceeds 5%, the fishing vessel shall move 
to another location not closer than 5 n miles distant.\1\ The fishing 
vessel shall not fish within 5 n miles of the location in which the by-
catch exceeded 5%, for a period of at least five days.\2\
    4. The use of bottom trawls in the directed fishery for 
Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 is prohibited.
    5. The fishery for Champsocehalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 
48.3 shall be closed from 1 April 1996 until the end of the Commission 
meeting in 1996.
    6. Any vessel of any Member intending to participate in the 
directed fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 
48.3 during the 1995/96 season shall be required to undertake a 
scientific survey carried out in accordance with the survey design 
specified in the Draft Manual for Bottom Trawl Surveys in the 
Convention Area (SC-CAMLR-XI, Annex 5, Appendix H, Attachment E). A 
list of proposed trawl survey stations shall be transmitted to the 
Executive Secretary at least one month before the start of the survey.
    7. Each vessel participating in the directed fishery for 
Champsocephalus gunnari in Subarea 48.3 in the 1995/96 season shall 
have a scientific observer, appointed in accordance with the CCAMLR 
Scheme of International Scientific Observation, on board throughout all 
fishing activities within the fishing period.
    8. For the purpose of implementing paragraphs 1 and 2 of the 
Conservation Measure:
    (i) the Five-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 51/XII shall apply in the 1995/96 season; and
    (ii) the Effort and Biological Data Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 98/XIV shall apply for Champsocephalus gunnari. 
________________

Conservation Measure 97/XIV

    Effort and Biological Data Reporting System for Champsocephalus 
gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1995/96 Season
    This Conservation measure is adopted in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. At the end of each Contracting Party shall obtain from each of 
its vessels the haul-by-haul data required to complete the CCAMLAR 
fine-scale catch and effort data form for trawl fisheries (Form C1, 
latest version). It shall transmit those data to the Executive 
Secretary not later than the end of the following month,
    2. At the end of each month, each contracting Party shall obtain 
from each of its vessels a representative sample of length composition 
measurements from the fishery (Form B2, latest version). It shall 
transmit those data to the Executive Secretary not later than the end 
of the following month.
    3. for the purpose of implementing this Conservation Measure:
    (i) length measurements of fish should be of total length to the 
nearest centimeter below; and
    (ii) representative samples of length composition should be taken 
from a single fishing ground.\1\ In the event that the vessel moves 
from one fishing ground to another during the course of a month, then 
separate length compositions should be submitted for each fishing 
ground.
    4. Should a Contracting Party fail to transmit the fine-scale catch 
and effort data or length composition data to the Executive Secretary 
by the deadline specified in paragraph 2, the Executive Secretary shall 
issue a reminder to the Contracting Party. If at the end of a further 
two months those data have still not been provided the Executive 
Secretary shall notify all contracting parties of the closure of the 
fishery to vessels of the Contracting Parry which has failed to supply 
the data as required.

________________

    \1\ Pending the provision of a more important definition, the 
term fishing ground is defined here as the area within a single 
fine-scale grid rectangle (0.5 deg. latitude by 1 deg. longitude).
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R. Tucker Scully,
Director, Office of Oceans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-30248 Filed 12-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M