[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71165-71178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32891]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3178]


New Conservation Measures for Antarctic Fishing Under the 
Auspices of CCAMLR

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: At its Eighteenth Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, October 25 to 
November 5, 1999, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic 
Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), of which the United States is a 
member, adopted conservation measures, pending countries' approval, 
pertaining to fishing in the CCAMLR Convention Area in Antarctic 
waters. All the measures were agreed upon in accordance with Article IX 
of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources. A key result was the adoption of a conservation measure 
which provides for a comprehensive catch documentation scheme for the 
potentially threatened toothfish. Other measures adopted restrict 
overall catches of certain species of fish and crabs, restrict fishing 
in certain areas, specify inspection obligations supporting the Catch 
Documentation Scheme of Contracting Parties, and promote compliance 
with CCAMLR measures by non-Contracting Party vessels. This notice 
includes the full text of the conservation measures adopted at the 
eighteenth meeting of CCAMLR. For all of the Conservation Measures in 
force, see the CCAMLR website (www.ccamlr.org). This notice, therefore, 
together with the U.S. regulations referenced under the Supplementary 
Information provides a comprehensive register of all current U.S. 
obligations under CCAMLR.

DATES: Persons wishing to comment on the measures or desiring more 
information should submit written comments on or before January 19, 
2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Keen Thomas, Office of Oceans 
Affairs (OES/OA), Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520; 
202-647-3262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Individuals interested in CCAMLR should also 
see 15 CFR Chapter III--International Fishing and Related Activities, 
Part 300--International Fishing Regulations, Subpart A--General; 
Subpart B--High Seas Fisheries; and Subpart G--Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources, for other regulatory measures related to conservation and 
management in the CCAMLR Convention area. Subpart B notes the 
requirements for high seas fishing vessel licensing. Subparts A and G 
describe the process for regulating U.S. fishing in the CCAMLR 
Convention area and contain the text of CCAMLR Conservation Measures 
that are not expected to change from year to year. The regulations in 
Subparts A and G include sections on; Purpose and scope; Definitions; 
Relationship to other treaties, conventions, laws, and regulations; 
Procedure for according

[[Page 71166]]

protection to CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program Sites; Scientific 
Research; Initiating a new fishery; Exploratory fisheries; Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements; Vessel and gear identification; Gear 
disposal; Mesh Size; Harvesting permits; Import permits; Appointment of 
a designated representative; Prohibitions; Facilitation of enforcement 
and inspection; and Penalties.
    Conservation Measures Remaining in Force: The Commission agreed 
that the Conservation Measures 2/III, 3/IV, 4/V, 5/V, 6/V, 7/V, 18/
XIII, 19/IX, 29/XVI, 31/X, 32/X, 40/X, 45/XIV, 51/XII, 61/XII, 62/XI, 
63/XV, 64/XII, 65/XII, 72/XVII, 73/XVII, 95/XIV, 106/XV, 118/XVII, 119/
XVII, 121/XVI, 122/XVI, 129/XVI, 146/XVII, 148/XVII and 160/XVII should 
remain in force as they stand. For the text of CCAMLR Conservation 
Measures remaining in force, see 61 FR 66723, dated December 18, 1996, 
63 FR 5587, dated February 3, 1998 and 63 FR 300 dated December 22, 
1998.
    New Conservation Measures: At its Eighteenth Annual Meeting in 
Hobart, Tasmania, October 25 to November 5, 1999, the Commission for 
the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) revised 
several of its previously adopted Conservation Measures adopted new 
measures. The new and revised measures follow:
    Conservation Measures adopted at CCAMLR-XVIII:

Conservation Measure 147/XVIII \1\--Provisions To Ensure Compliance 
With CCAMLR Conservation Measures by Vessels, Including Cooperation 
Between Contracting Parties

    1. Contracting Parties shall undertake inspections of those fishing 
vessels that intend to land or tranship Dissostichus spp. at their 
ports. The inspection shall be for the purpose of determining that the 
catch to be unloaded or transhipped is accompanied by the Dissostichus 
catch document required by Conservation Measure 170/XVIII, that the 
catch agrees with the information recorded on the document and, if the 
vessel carried out harvesting activities in the Convention Area, that 
these activities were carried out in accordance with CCAMLR 
conservation measures.
    2. To facilitate these inspections, Contracting Parties shall 
require vessels to provide advance notice of their entry into port. The 
inspection shall be conducted within 48 hours of port entry and shall 
be carried out in an expeditious fashion. It shall impose no undue 
burdens on the vessel or its crew, and shall be guided by the relevant 
provisions of the CCAMLR System of Inspection.
    3. In the event that there is evidence that the vessel has fished 
in contravention of the CCAMLR conservation measures, the catch shall 
not be landed or transhipped. The Contracting Party will inform the 
Flag State of the vessel of its inspection findings and will cooperate 
with the Flag State in taking such appropriate action as is required to 
investigate the alleged infringement, and, if necessary, apply 
appropriate sanctions in accordance with national legislation.

\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Kerguelen and Crozet Islands.

Conservation Measure 150/XvIII--Experimental Harvest Regime for the 
Crab Fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 for the 1999/2000 Season

    The following measures apply to all crab fishing within Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 for the 1999/2000 fishing season. Every vessel 
participating in the crab fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 shall 
conduct fishing operations in accordance with an experimental harvest 
regime as outlined below:
    1. Vessels shall conduct the experimental harvest regime in the 
1999/2000 season at the start of their first season of participation in 
the crab fishery and the following conditions shall apply:
    (i) every vessel when undertaking an experimental harvesting regime 
shall expend its first 200 000 pot hours of effort within a total area 
delineated by twelve blocks of 0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude. 
For the purposes of this conservation measure, these blocks shall be 
numbered A to L. In Annex 150/A, the blocks are illustrated (Figure 1), 
and the geographic position is denoted by the coordinates of the 
northeast corner of the block. For each string, pot hours shall be 
calculated by taking the total number of pots on the string and 
multiplying that number 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;
    (ii) vessels shall not fish outside the area delineated by the 
0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude blocks prior to completing the 
experimental harvesting regime;
    (iii) vessels shall not expend more than 30,000 pot hours in any 
single block of 0.5 deg. latitude by 1.0 deg. longitude;
    (iv) if a vessel returns to port before it has expended 200,000 pot 
hours in the experimental harvesting regime the remaining pot hours 
shall be expended before it can be considered that the vessel has 
completed the experimental harvesting regime; and
    (v) after completing 200,000 pot hours of experimental fishing, it 
shall be considered that vessels have completed the experimental 
harvesting regime they shall be permitted to commence fishing in a 
normal fashion.
    2. Data collected during the experimental harvest regime up to 30 
June 2000 shall be submitted to CCAMLR by 31 August 2000.
    3. Normal fishing operations shall be conducted in accordance with 
the regulations set out in Conservation Measure 181/XVIII.
    4. For the purposes of implementing normal fishing operations after 
completion of the experimental harvest regime, the Ten-day Catch and 
Effort Reporting System set out in Conservation Measure 61/XII shall 
apply.
    5. Vessels that complete experimental harvest 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 181/XVIII.
    6. Fishing vessels shall participate in the experimental harvest 
regime independently (i.e. vessels may not cooperate to complete phases 
of the experiment).
    7. Crabs taken by any vessel for research purposes will be 
considered as part of any catch limits in force for each species taken, 
and shall be reported to CCAMLR as part of the annual STATLANT returns.
    8. All vessels participating in the experimental harvest regime 
shall carry at least one scientific observer on board during all 
fishing activities.

Annex 150/A

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

Conservation Measure 170/XVIII--Catch Documentation Scheme for 
Dissostichus spp.

    The Commission,
    Concerned that illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing 
for Dissostichus spp. in the Convention Area threatens serious 
depletion of populations of Dissostichus spp.,
    Aware that IUU fishing involves significant by-catch of some 
Antarctic species, including endangered albatross,
    Noting that IUU fishing is inconsistent with the objective of the 
Convention and undermines the effectiveness of CCAMLR conservation 
measures,
    Underlining the responsibilities of Flag States to ensure that 
their vessels conduct their fishing activities in a responsible manner,

[[Page 71167]]

    Mindful of the rights and obligations of Port States to promote the 
effectiveness of regional fishery conservation measures,
    Aware that IUU fishing reflects the high value of, and resulting 
expansion in markets for and international trade in, Dissostichus spp.,
    Recalling that Contracting Parties have agreed to introduce 
classification codes for Dissostichus spp. at a national level,
    Recognising that the implementation of a Catch Documentation Scheme 
for Dissostichus spp. will provide the Commission with essential 
information necessary to provide the precautionary management 
objectives of the Convention,
    Committed to take steps, consistent with international law, to 
identify the origins of Dissostichus spp. entering the markets of 
Contracting Parties and to determine whether Dissostichus spp. 
harvested in the Convention Area that is imported into their 
territories was caught in a manner consistent with CCAMLR conservation 
measures.
    Wishing to reinforce the conservation measures already adopted by 
the Commission with respect to Dissostichus spp.,
    Inviting non-Contracting Parties whose vessels fish for 
Dissostichus spp. to participate in the Catch Documentation Scheme for 
Dissostichus spp., hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Article IX of the Convention:

    1. Each Contracting Party shall take steps to identify the origin 
of Dissostichus spp. imported into or exported from its territories and 
to determine whether Dissostichus spp. harvested in the Convention Area 
that is imported into or exported from its territories was caught in a 
manner consistent with CCAMLR conservation measures.
    2. Each Contracting Party shall require that each of its flag 
vessels authorised to engage in harvesting of Dissostichus eleginoides 
and/or Dissostichus mawsoni complete a Dissostichus catch document for 
the catch landed or transhipped on each occasion that it lands or 
tranships Dissostichus spp.
    3. Each Contracting Party shall require that each landing of 
Dissostichus spp. at its ports and each transhipment of Dissostichus 
spp. to its vessels be accompanied by a completed Dissostichus catch 
document.
    4. Each Contracting Party shall provide Dissostichus catch document 
forms to each of its flag vessels authorised to harvest Dissostichus 
spp. and only to those vessels.
    5. A non-Contracting Party seeking to cooperate with CCAMLR by 
participating in this Scheme may issue Dissostichus catch document 
forms to any of its flag vessels that intend to harvest Dissostichus 
spp.
    6. The Dissostichus catch document shall include the following 
information:
    (i) the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the issuing 
authority;
    (ii) the name, home port, national registry number, and call sign 
of the vessel and, if applicable, its Lloyd's registration number;
    (iii) the number of the licence or permit issued to the vessel, as 
applicable;
    (iv) the weight of each Dissostichus species landed or transhipped 
by product type, and
    (a) by CCAMLR statistical subarea or division if caught in the 
Convention Area; and/or
    (b) by FAO statistical area, subarea or division if caught outside 
the Convention Area;
    (v) the dates within which the catch was taken;
    (vi) the date and the port at which the catch was landed or the 
date and the vessel, its flag and national registry number, to which 
the catch was transhipped; and
    (vii) the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the receiver 
or receivers of the catch and the amount of each species and product 
type received.
    7. Procedures for completing Dissostichus catch documents in 
respect of vessels are set forth in paragraphs A1 to A10 of Annex 170/A 
to this measure. A sample catch document is attached to the annex.
    8. Each Contracting Party shall require that each shipment of 
Dissostichus spp. imported into its territory be accompanied by the 
export-validated Dissostichus catch document or documents that account 
for all the Dissostichus spp. contained in the shipment.
    9. An export-validated Dissostichus catch document issued in 
respect of a vessel is one that:
    (a) includes all relevant information and signatures provided in 
accordance with paragraphs A1 to A11 of Annex 170/A to this measure; 
and
    (b) includes a signed and stamped certification by a responsible 
official of the exporting State of the accuracy of the information 
contained in the document.
    10. Each Contracting Party shall ensure that its customs 
authorities or other appropriate officials request and examine the 
import documentation of each shipment of Dissostichus spp. imported 
into its territory to verify that it includes the export-validated 
Dissostichus catch document or documents that account for all the 
Dissostichus spp. contained in the shipment. These officials may also 
examine the content of any shipment to verify the information contained 
in the catch document or documents.
    11. If, as a result of an examination referred to in paragraph 10 
above, a question arises regarding the information contained in a 
Dissostichus catch document, the exporting State whose national 
authority validated the document and, as appropriate, the Flag State 
whose vessel completed the document are called on to cooperate with the 
importing State with a view to resolving such question.
    12. Each Contracting Party shall provide copies quarterly to the 
CCAMLR Secretariat of all export-validated Dissostichus catch documents 
that it issued from and received into its territory and shall report 
annually to the Secretariat data, drawn from Dissostichus catch 
documents, on the origin and amount of Dissostichus spp. exported from 
and imported into its territory.
    13. Each Contracting Party, and any non-Contracting Party that 
issues Dissostichus catch documents in respect of its flag vessels in 
accordance with paragraph 5, shall inform the CCAMLR Secretariat of the 
national authority or authorities (including names, addresses, fax 
numbers and email addresses) responsible for issuing and validating 
Dissostichus catch documents.
    14. Notwithstanding the above, any Contracting Party may require 
additional verification of catch documents, including inter alia the 
use of VMS, in respect of catches by its flag vessels outside the 
Convention Area, when landed at and exported from its territory.

ANNEX 170/A

    A1. Each Flag State shall ensure that each Dissostichus catch 
document form that it issues includes a specific identification number 
consisting of:
    (i) a four-digit number, consisting of the two-digit International 
Standards Organization (ISO) country code plus the last two digits of 
the year for which the form is issued; and
    (ii) a three-digit sequence number (beginning with 001) to denote 
the order in which catch document forms are issued.

It shall also enter on each Dissostichus catch document form the number 
as appropriate of the licence or permit issued to the vessel.
    A2. The master of a vessel which has been issued a Dissostichus 
catch

[[Page 71168]]

document form or forms shall adhere to the following procedures prior 
to each landing or transhipment of Dissostichus spp.:
    (i) the master shall ensure that the information specified in 
paragraph 6 of this conservation measure is accurately recorded on the 
Dissostichus catch document form;
    (ii) if a landing or transhipment includes catch of both 
Dissostichus spp., the master shall record on the Dissostichus catch 
document form the total amount of the catch landed or transhipped by 
weight of each species;
    (iii) if a landing or transhipment includes catch of Dissostichus 
spp. taken from different statistical subareas and/or divisions, the 
master shall record on the Dissostichus catch document form the amount 
of the catch by weight of each species taken from each statistical 
subarea and/or division;
    (iv) the master shall convey to the Flag State of the vessel by the 
most rapid electronic means available, the Dissostichus catch document 
number, the trip start date, the species, processing type or types, the 
net landed weight and the area or areas of the catch, the date of 
landing or transhipment and the port and country of landing or vessel 
of transhipment and shall request from the Flag State, a Flag State 
confirmation number;
    A3. If the Flag State determines that the catch landed or 
transhipped as reported by the vessel is consistent with its 
authorisation to fish, it shall convey a unique Flag State confirmation 
number to the master by the most rapid electronic means available.
    A4. The master shall enter the Flag State confirmation number on 
the Dissostichus catch document form.
    A5. The master of a vessel that has been issued a Dissostichus 
catch document form or forms shall adhere to the following procedures 
immediately after each landing or transhipment of Dissostichus spp.:
    (i) in the case of a transhipment, the master shall confirm the 
transhipment by obtaining the signature on the Dissostichus catch 
document of the master of the vessel to which the catch is transferred;
    (ii) in the case of a landing, the master shall confirm the landing 
by obtaining the signature on the Dissostichus catch document of a 
responsible official at the port of landing;
    (iii) in the case of a landing, the master shall also obtain the 
signature on the Dissostichus catch document of the individual that 
receives the catch at the port of landing; and
    (iv) in the event that the catch is divided upon landing, the 
master shall present a copy of the Dissostichus catch document to each 
individual that receives a part of the catch at the port of landing, 
record on that copy of the catch document the amount and origin of the 
catch received by that individual and obtain the signature of that 
individual.
    A6. In respect of each landing or transhipment, the master shall 
sign and convey by the most rapid electronic means available a copy, 
or, if the catch landed was divided, copies, of the signed Dissostichus 
catch document to the Flag State of the vessel and shall provide a copy 
of the relevant document to each recipient of the catch.
    A7. The Flag State of the vessel shall immediately convey by the 
most rapid electronic means available a copy or, if the catch was 
divided, copies, of the signed Dissostichus catch document to the 
CCAMLR Secretariat to be made available by the next working day to all 
Contracting Parties.
    A8. The master shall retain the original copies of the signed 
Dissostichus catch document or documents and return them to the Flag 
State no later than one month after the end of the fishing season.
    A9. The master of a vessel to which catch has been transhipped 
(receiving vessel) shall adhere to the following procedures immediately 
after landing of such catch in order to complete each Dissostichus 
catch document received from transhipping vessels:
    (i) the master of the receiving vessel shall confirm the landing by 
obtaining the signature on the Dissostichus catch document of a 
responsible official at the port of landing;
    (ii) the master of the receiving vessel shall also obtain the 
signature on the Dissostichus catch document of the individual that 
receives the catch at the port of landing; and
    (iii) in the event that the catch is divided upon landing, the 
master of the receiving vessel shall present a copy of the Dissostichus 
catch document to each individual that receives a part of the catch at 
the port of landing, record on that copy of the catch document the 
amount and origin of the catch received by that individual and obtain 
the signature of that individual.
    A10. In respect of each landing of transhipped catch, the master of 
the receiving vessel shall sign and convey by the most rapid electronic 
means available a copy of all the Dissostichus catch documents, or if 
the catch was divided, copies, of all the Dissostichus catch documents, 
to the Flag State(s) that issued the Dissostichus catch document, and 
shall provide a copy of the relevant document to each recipient of the 
catch. The Flag State of the vessel shall immediately convey by the 
most rapid electronic means available a copy of the document to the 
CCAMLR Secretariat to be made available by the next working day to all 
Contracting Parties.
    A11. For each shipment of Dissostichus spp. to be exported from the 
country of landing, the exporter shall adhere to the following 
procedures to obtain the necessary export validation of the 
Dissostichus catch document or documents that account for all the 
Dissostichus spp. contained in the shipment:
    (i) the exporter shall enter on each Dissostichus catch document 
the amount of each Dissostichus spp. reported on the document that is 
contained in the shipment;
    (ii) the exporter shall enter on each Dissostichus catch document 
the name and address of the importer of the shipment and the point of 
import;
    (iii) the exporter shall enter on each Dissostichus catch document 
the exporter's name and address, and shall sign the document; and
    (iv) the exporter shall obtain validation of Dissostichus catch 
document by the responsible authority of the exporting State.
    A12. In the case of re-export, the re-exporter shall adhere to the 
following procedures to obtain the necessary re-export validation of 
the Dissostichus catch document or documents that account for all the 
Dissostichus spp. contained in the shipment:
    (i) the re-exporter shall supply details of the net weight of 
product of all species to be re-exported, together with the 
Dissostichus catch document number to which each species and product 
relates;
    (ii) the re-exporter shall supply the name and address of the 
importer of the shipment, the point of import and the name and address 
of the exporter;
    (iii) the re-exporter shall obtain validation of the above details 
by the responsible authority of the exporting State.
    An example form for re-export is attached to this annex.

Conservation Measure 171/xviIi--Prohibition of Directed Fishery on 
Gobionotothen Gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus Aceratus, Pseudochaenichthys 
Georgianus, Lepidonotothen Squamifrons and Patagonotothen Guntheri in 
Statistical Subarea 48.3

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 7/V:

[[Page 71169]]

    Directed fishing on Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus 
aceratus, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus, Lepidonotothen squamifrons and 
Patagonotothen guntheri in Statistical Subarea 48.3 is prohibited until 
a decision that the fishery be reopened is made by the Commission based 
on the advice of the Scientific Committee.

Conservation Measure 172/xviii \1\--Prohibition on Directed Fishing for 
Dissostichus Spp. Except in Accordance with Specific Conservation 
Measures in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission,
    Concerned to ensure the regulation of directed fishing for 
Dissostichus spp. in all statistical areas and subareas in the 
Convention Area, and
    Noting that conservation measures in respect of the regulation of 
Dissostichus spp. have been agreed for all areas except Statistical 
Subareas 48.5 and 88.3 and Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 (east of 
90 deg. E) and 58.5.1 and longline fishing areas in Statistical 
Division 58.5.2,

hereby adopts the following conservation measure in accordance with 
Article IX of the Convention:
    Directed fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subareas 48.5 
and 88.3, and Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 (east of 90 deg.E) and 
58.5.1 is prohibited from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2000. Directed 
fishing by longlining in Statistical Division 58.5.2 is prohibited from 
1 December 1999 to 30 November 2000.

\1\ Except in waters adjacent to the Kerguelen Islands.

Minimisation of the Incidental Mortality of Seabirds and Marine 
Mammals in the Course of Trawl Fishing in the Convention Area

Conservation Measure 173/XVIII \1\

    The Commission,
    Noting the need to reduce the incidental mortality of or injury to 
seabirds and marine mammals from fishing operations,
    Adopts the following measures to reduce the incidental mortality of 
or injury to seabirds and marine mammals during trawl fishing.
    1. The use of net monitor cables on vessels in the CCAMLR 
Convention Area is prohibited.
    2. Vessels operating within the Convention Area should at all times 
arrange the location and level of lighting so as to minimise 
illumination directed out from the vessel, consistent with the safe 
operation of the vessel.
    3. The discharge of offal shall be prohibited during the shooting 
and hauling of trawl gear.

\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Kerguelen and Crozet Islands.

Conservation Measure 174/xvIII--Precautionary Catch Limit for Electrona 
Carlsbergi in Statistical Subarea 48.3 for the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure 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 1 December 1999 
to 30 November 2000.
    2. The total catch of Electrona carlsbergi in the 1999/2000 season 
shall be limited to 109,000 tonnes in Statistical Subarea 48.3.
    3. In addition, the total catch of Electrona carlsbergi in the 
1999/2000 season shall be limited to 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 1999/2000 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 meeting of the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment 
in 2000.
    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 is 
sooner.
    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 is 
sooner.
    7. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Electrona 
carlsbergi, the by-catch in any one haul of any species other than the 
target species
     is greater than 100 kg and exceeds 5% of the total catch 
of all fish by weight, or
     is equal to or greater than 2 tonnes, then

the fishing vessel shall move to another fishing location at least 5 n 
miles distant.\1\ The fishing vessel shall not return to any point 
within 5 n miles of the location where the by-catch of species, other 
than the target species, exceeded 5%, for a period of at least five 
days.\2\ The location where the by-catch exceeded 5% is defined as the 
path followed by the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing 
gear was first deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which 
the fishing gear was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    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 1999/2000 season;
    (ii) the Monthly Fine-scale Catch and Effort Data Reporting System 
set out in Conservation Measure 122/XVI shall also apply in the 1999/
2000 season. For the purposes of Conservation Measure 122/XVI, the 
target species is Electrona carlsbergi, and `by-catch species' are 
defined as any cephalopod, crustacean or fish species other than 
Electrona carlsbergi; and
    (iii) the Monthly Fine-scale Biological Data Reporting System set 
out in Conservation Measure 121/XVI shall also apply in the 1999/2000 
season. For the purposes of Conservation Measure 121/XVI, 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 3(ii) of Conservation Measure 
121/XVI a representative sample shall be a minimum of 500 fish.

\1\ This provision concerning the minimum distance separating fishing 
locations is adopted pending the adoption of a more appropriate 
definition of a fishing location 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 175/xviIi--Limitation of the Total Catch of 
Champsocephalus Gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 
Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. The total catch of Champsocephalus gunnari in the 1999/2000 
season shall be limited to 4 036 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

[[Page 71170]]

95/XIV reaches its by-catch limit or if the total catch of 
Champsocephalus gunnari reaches 4 036 tonnes, whichever is sooner.
    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
     is greater than 100 kg and exceeds 5% of the total catch 
of all fish by weight, or
     is equal to or greater than 2 tonnes, then

the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least 5 n miles 
distant.\1\ The fishing vessel shall not return to any point within 5 n 
miles of the location where the by-catch of species named in 
Conservation Measure 95/XIV exceeded 5% for a period of at least five 
days.\2\ The location where the by-catch exceeded 5% is defined as the 
path followed by the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing 
gear was first deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which 
the fishing gear was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    4. Where any haul contains more than 100 kg of Champsocephalus 
gunnari, and more than 10% of the Champsocephalus gunnari by number are 
smaller than 240 mm total length, the fishing vessel shall move to 
another fishing location at least 5 n miles distant.\1\ The fishing 
vessel shall not return to any point within 5 n miles of the location 
where the catch of small Champsocephalus gunnari exceeded 10%, for a 
period of at least five days.\2\ The location where the catch of small 
Champsocephalus gunnari exceeded 10% is defined as the path followed by 
the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear was first 
deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear 
was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    5. The use of bottom trawls in the directed fishery for 
Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 is prohibited.
    6. The fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 
48.3 shall be closed from 1 March to 31 May 2000.
    7. Each vessel participating in the directed fishery for 
Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 
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 this 
conservation measure:
    (i) the Five-day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 51/XII shall apply in the 1999/2000 season; and
    (ii) the Monthly Fine-scale Catch and Effort Data Reporting System 
set out in Conservation Measure 122/XVI shall apply for Champsocephalus 
gunnari. Data shall be reported on a haul-by-haul basis.
    9. Fine-scale biological data, as required under Conservation 
Measure 121/XVI shall be collected and recorded. Such data shall be 
reported in accordance with the Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation.

\1\ This provision concerning the minimum distance separating fishing 
locations is adopted pending the adoption of a more appropriate 
definition of a fishing location 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 176/xviIi--Fishery for Dissostichus Eleginoides in 
Statistical Division 58.5.2 for the 1999/2000 Season

    1. The total catch of Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Division 58.5.2 shall be limited to 3 585 tonnes in the 1999/2000 
season.
    2. For the purpose of this fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides, 
the 1999/2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 December 
1999 to 30 November 2000.
    3. Fishing shall cease if the by-catch of any species reaches its 
by-catch limit as detailed in Conservation Measure 178/XVIII.
    4. The catch limit may only be taken by trawling.
    5. Each vessel participating in the fishery for Dissostichus 
eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.5.2 shall have at least one 
scientific observer, and include, if available, one appointed in 
accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation, on board throughout all fishing activities.
    6. Each vessel operating in the fishery for Dissostichus 
eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.5.2 shall be required to operate 
a VMS at all times, in accordance with Conservation Measure 148/XVII.
    7. A ten-day catch and effort reporting system shall be 
implemented:
    (i) for the purpose of implementing this system, the calendar month 
shall be divided into three reporting periods viz: day 1 to day 10, day 
11 to day 20, day 21 to the last day of the month. These reporting 
periods are hereinafter referred to as periods A, B and C;
    (ii) at the end of each reporting period, each Contracting Party 
participating in the fishery shall obtain from each of its vessels 
information on total catch and total days and hours fished for the 
period and shall, by electronic transmission, cable, telex or 
facsimile, transmit the aggregated catch and days and hours fished for 
its vessels so as to reach the Executive Secretary not later than the 
end of the next reporting period;
    (iii) a report must be submitted by every Contracting Party taking 
part in the fishery for each reporting period for the duration of the 
fishery, even if no catches are taken;
    (iv) the catch of Dissostichus eleginoides and of all by-catch 
species must be reported;
    (v) such reports will specify the month and reporting period (A, B 
and C) to which each report refers;
    (vi) immediately after the deadline has passed for receipt of the 
reports for each period, the Executive Secretary shall notify all 
Contracting Parties engaged in fishing activities in the division of 
the total catch taken during the reporting period and the total 
aggregate catch for the season to date; and
    (vii) at the end of every three reporting periods, the Executive 
Secretary shall inform all Contracting Parties of the total catch taken 
during the three most recent reporting periods and the total aggregate 
catch for the season to date.
    8. A fine-scale effort and biological data reporting system shall 
be implemented:
    (i) the scientific observer(s) aboard each vessel shall collect the 
data required to complete the CCAMLR fine-scale catch and effort data 
form C1, latest version. These data shall be submitted to the CCAMLR 
Secretariat not later than one month after the vessel returns to port;
    (ii) the catch of Dissostichus eleginoides and all by-catch species 
must be reported;
    (iii) the numbers of seabirds and marine mammals of each species 
caught and released or killed must be reported;
    (iv) the scientific observer(s) aboard each vessel shall collect 
data on the length composition from representative samples of 
Dissostichus eleginoides and by-catch species as detailed in the CCAMLR 
Scientific Observers Manual (Part III, Section 1) for finfish 
fisheries:
    (a) length measurements shall be to the nearest centimetre below; 
and
    (b) representative samples of length composition shall be taken 
from each fine-scale grid rectangle (0.5 deg. latitude by 1 deg. 
longitude) fished in each calendar month; and

[[Page 71171]]

    (v) the above data shall be submitted to the CCAMLR Secretariat not 
later than one month after the vessel returns to port.
    9. The total number and weight of Dissostichus eleginoides 
discarded, including those with the jellymeat condition, shall be 
reported. These fish will count towards the total allowable catch.

Conservation Measure 177/XVIII--Fishery for Champsocephalus Gunnari in 
Statistical Division 58.5.2 in the 1999/2000 Season

    1. The total catch for Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical 
Division 58.5.2 shall be limited to 916 tonnes in the 1999/2000 season.
    2. Areas in Statistical Division 58.5.2 outside that defined in 
paragraph 4 below shall be closed to directed fishing for 
Champsocephalus gunnari.
    3. Fishing shall cease if the by-catch of any of the species 
reaches its by-catch limit as detailed in Conservation Measure 178/
XVIII.
    4. For the purpose of this fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari, the 
area open to the fishery is defined as that portion of Statistical 
Division 58.5.2 that lies within the area enclosed by a line:
    (i) starting at the point where the meridian of longitude 
72 deg.15'E intersects the Australia-France Maritime Delimitation 
Agreement Boundary then south along the meridian to its intersection 
with the parallel of latitude 53 deg.25'S;
    (ii) then east along that parallel to its intersection with the 
meridian of longitude 74 deg.E;
    (iii) then northeasterly along the geodesic to the intersection of 
the parallel of latitude 52 deg.40'S and the meridian of longitude 
76 deg.E;
    (iv) then north along the meridian to its intersection with the 
parallel of latitude 52 deg.S;
    (v) then northwesterly along the geodesic to the intersection of 
the parallel of latitude 51 deg.S with the meridian of longitude 
74 deg.30'E; and
    (vi) then southwesterly along the geodesic to the point of 
commencement.
    A chart illustrating the above definition is appended to this 
conservation measure (Annex 177/A).
    5. For the purposes of this fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari, 
the 1999/2000 season is defined as the period from 1 December 1999 to 
30 November 2000.
    6. The catch limit may only be taken by trawling.
    7. Where any haul contains more than 100 kg of Champsocephalus 
gunnari, and more than 10% of the Champsocephalus gunnari by number are 
smaller than 240 mm total length, the fishing vessel shall move to 
another fishing location at least 5 n miles distant \1\. The fishing 
vessel shall not return to any point within 5 n miles of the location 
where the catch of small Champsocephalus gunnari exceeded 10% for a 
period of at least five days \2\. The location where the catch of small 
Champsocephalus gunnari exceeded 10% is defined as the path followed by 
the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear was first 
deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear 
was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    8. Each vessel participating in the fishery shall have at least one 
scientific observer, and include, if available, one appointed in 
accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation, on board throughout all fishing activities.
    9. Each vessel operating in the fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari 
in Statistical Division 58.5.2 shall be required to operate a VMS at 
all times, in accordance with Conservation Measure 148/XVII.
    10. A ten-day catch and effort reporting system shall be 
implemented:
    (i) for the purpose of implementing this system, the calendar month 
shall be divided into three reporting periods, viz: day 1 to day 10, 
day 11 to day 20 and day 21 to the last day of the month. The reporting 
periods are hereafter referred to as periods A, B and C;
    (ii) at the end of each reporting period, each Contracting Party 
participating in the fishery shall obtain from each of its vessels 
information on total catch and total days and hours fished for that 
period and shall, by cable, telex, facsimile or electronic 
transmission, transmit the aggregated catch and days and hours fished 
for its vessels so as to reach the Executive Secretary no later than 
the end of the next reporting period;
    (iii) a report must be submitted by every Contracting Party taking 
part in the fishery for each reporting period for the duration of the 
fishery, even if no catches are taken;
    (iv) the catch of Champsocephalus gunnari and of all by-catch 
species must be reported;
    (v) such reports shall specify the month and reporting period (A, B 
and C) to which each report refers;
    (vi) immediately after the deadline has passed for receipt of the 
reports for each period, the Executive Secretary shall notify all 
Contracting Parties engaged in fishing activities in the division of 
the total catch taken during the reporting period and the total 
aggregate catch for the season to date; and
    (vii) at the end of every three reporting periods, the Executive 
Secretary shall inform all Contracting Parties of the total catch taken 
during the three most recent reporting periods and the total aggregate 
catch for the season to date.
    11. A fine-scale effort and biological data reporting system shall 
be implemented:
    (i) the scientific observer(s) aboard each vessel shall collect the 
data required to complete the CCAMLR fine-scale catch and effort data 
form C1, latest version. These data shall be submitted to the CCAMLR 
Secretariat not later than one month after the vessel returns to port;
    (ii) the catch of Champsocephalus gunnari and of all by-catch 
species must be reported;
    (iii) the numbers of seabirds and marine mammals of each species 
caught and released or killed must be reported;
    (iv) the scientific observer(s) aboard each vessel shall collect 
data on the length composition from representative samples of 
Champsocephalus gunnari and by-catch species:
    (a) length measurements shall be to the nearest centimetre below; 
and
    (b) representative samples of length composition shall be taken 
from each fine-scale grid rectangle (0.5 deg. latitude by 1 deg. 
longitude) fished in each calendar month; and
    (v) the above data shall be submitted to the CCAMLR Secretariat not 
later than one month after the vessel returns to port.

\1\ This provision concerning the minimum distance separating fishing 
locations is adopted pending the adoption of a more appropriate 
definition of a fishing location by the Commission.
\2\ The specified period is adopted in accordance with the reporting 
period specified in Conservation Measures 51/XII, pending the adoption 
of a more appropriate period by the Commission.

Annex 177/A

Conservation Measure 178/XVIII--Limitation of the By-Catch in 
Statistical Division 58.5.2 in the 1999/2000 Season

    1. There shall be no directed fishing for any species other than 
Dissostichus eleginoides and Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical 
Division 58.5.2 in the 1999/2000 fishing season.
    2. In directed fisheries in Statistical Division 58.5.2 in the 
1999/2000 season, the by-catch of Channichthys rhinoceratus shall not 
exceed 150 tonnes, and the by-catch of Lepidonotothen squamifrons shall 
not exceed 80 tonnes.

[[Page 71172]]

    3. The by-catch of any fish species not mentioned in paragraph 2, 
and for which there is no other catch limit in force, shall not exceed 
50 tonnes in Statistical Division 58.5.2.
    4. If, in the course of a directed fishery, the by-catch in any one 
haul of any by-catch species for which by-catch limitations apply under 
this conservation measure is equal to, or greater than 2 tonnes, then 
the fishing vessel shall not fish using that method of fishing at any 
point within 5 n miles \1\ of the location where the by-catch exceeded 
2 tonnes for a period of at least five days \2\. The location where the 
by-catch exceeded 2 tonnes is defined as the path followed by the 
fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear was first 
deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear 
was retrieved by the fishing vessel.

\1\ This provision concerning the minimum distance separating fishing 
locations is adopted pending the adoption of a more appropriate 
definition of a fishing location by the Commission.
\2\ The specified period is adopted in accordance with the reporting 
period specified in Conservation Measures 51/XII, pending the adoption 
of a more appropriate period by the Commission.

Conservation Measure 179/xvIII--Limits on the Fishery for Dissostichus 
Eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 48.3 for the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 7/V:
    1. The total catch of Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 season shall be limited to 5 310 tonnes.
    2. For the purposes of the longline fishery for Dissostichus 
eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 48.3, the 1999/2000 fishing season 
is defined as the period from 1 May to 31 August 2000, or until the 
catch limit is reached, whichever is the sooner.
    3. Each vessel participating in the Dissostichus eleginoides 
fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 season shall have 
at least one scientific observer 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 1999/2000 season, 
commencing on 1 May 2000; and
    (ii) the Monthly Fine-scale Catch and Effort Reporting System set 
out in Conservation Measure 122/XVI shall apply in the 1999/2000 
season, commencing on 1 May 2000. Data shall be submitted on a haul-by-
haul basis. For the purpose of Conservation Measure 122/XVI the target 
species is Dissostichus eleginoides and ``by-catch species'' are 
defined as any species other than Dissostichus eleginoides.
    5. Fine-scale biological data, as required under Conservation 
Measure 121/XVI shall be collected and recorded. Such data shall be 
reported in accordance with the System of International Scientific 
Observation.
    6. Directed fishing shall be by longlines only. The use of all 
other methods of directed fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Subarea 48.3 is prohibited, except in relation to the 
experimental pot fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides notified for the 
1999/2000 season, to which the provisions of Conservation Measure 64/
XII shall apply. The catch in this experimental fishery shall count 
towards the catch limit in paragraph 1.

Conservation Measure 180/xvIiI--Catch Limit on Dissostichus Eleginoides 
and Dissostichus Mawsoni in Statistical Subarea 48.4

    1. The total catch of Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical 
Subarea 48.4 shall be limited to 28 tonnes per season.
    2. Taking of Dissostichus mawsoni, other than for scientific 
research purposes, is prohibited.
    3. For the purposes of the fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides in 
Statistical Subarea 48.4, the fishing season shall be defined as that 
applied in Subarea 48.3 in any particular season, or until the catch 
limit for Dissostichus eleginoides in Subarea 48.4 is reached, or until 
the catch limit for Dissostichus eleginoides in Subarea 48.3, as 
specified in any conservation measure, is reached, whichever is sooner.
    4. Each vessel participating in the Dissostichus eleginoides 
fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.4 shall have at least one scientific 
observer appointed in accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of 
International Scientific Observation, on board throughout all fishing 
activities within the fishing period.
    5. 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; and
    (ii) the Monthly Fine-scale Catch and Effort Data Reporting System 
set out in Conservation Measure 122/XVI shall apply. Data shall be 
reported on a haul-by-haul basis. For the purposes of Conservation 
Measure 122/XVI, the target species is Dissostichus eleginoides, and 
``by-catch species'' are defined as any species other than Dissostichus 
eleginoides.
    6. Fine-scale biological data, as required under Conservation 
Measure 121/XVI shall be collected and recorded. Such data shall be 
reported in accordance with the Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation.
    7. 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 181/xviIi--Limits on the Crab Fishery in 
Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure 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 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2000, or until the 
catch limit 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 be 
limited to 1 600 tonnes during the 1999/2000 crab fishing season.
    5. Each vessel participating in the crab fishery in Statistical 
Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 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.
    6. 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 authorised to participate in the crab fishery.
    7. All vessels fishing for crab shall report the following data to 
CCAMLR by 31 August 2000 for crabs caught prior to 31 July 2000:
    (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;

[[Page 71173]]

    (ii) the species, size, and sex of a representative subsample of 
crab sampled according to the procedure set out in Annex 181/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 181/A.
    8. 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.
    9. Data on catches taken between 31 July and 31 August 2000 shall 
be reported to CCAMLR by 30 September 2000 so that the data will be 
available to the Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment.
    10. 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.
    11. 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 Paralomis formosa, 
males with a minimum carapace width of 102 mm and 90 mm, respectively, 
may be retained in the catch.
    12. Crab processed at sea shall be frozen as crab sections (minimum 
size of crabs can be determined using crab sections).

Annex 181/A

Data Requirements on the 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.
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 182/xviII \1\, \2\--General Measures for 
Exploratory Fisheries For Dissostichus spp. in the Convention Area for 
the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission,
    Noting the need for the distribution of fishing effort and catch in 
fine-scale rectangles \3\ in these exploratory fisheries,

hereby adopts the following conservation measure:
    1. This conservation measure applies to exploratory fisheries using 
the trawl or longline methods. In trawl fisheries, a haul comprises a 
single deployment of the trawl net. In longline fisheries, a haul 
comprises the setting of one or more lines in a single location.
    2. Fishing should take place over as large a geographical and 
bathymetric range as possible to obtain the information necessary to 
determine fishery potential and to avoid over-concentration of catch 
and effort. To this end, fishing in any fine-scale rectangle shall 
cease when the reported catch reaches 100 tonnes and that rectangle 
shall be closed to fishing for the remainder of the season. Fishing in 
any fine-scale rectangle shall be restricted to one vessel at any one 
time.
    3. In order to give effect to paragraph 2 above:
    (i) the precise geographic position of a haul in trawl fisheries 
will be determined by the mid-point between the start-point and end-
point of the haul;
    (ii) the precise geographic position of a haul in longline 
fisheries will be determined by the centre-point of the line or lines 
deployed;
    (iii) catch and effort information for each species by fine-scale 
rectangle shall be reported to the Executive Secretary every five days 
using the Five-Day Catch and Effort Reporting System set out in 
Conservation Measure 51/XII; and
    (iv) the Secretariat shall notify Contracting Parties participating 
in these fisheries when the total catch for Dissostichus eleginoides 
and Dissostichus mawsoni combined in any fine-scale rectangle is likely 
to reach 100 tonnes, and fishing in that fine-scale rectangle shall be 
closed when that limit is reached.
    4. If the by-catch of Macrourus spp. in any one haul
     is greater than 100 kg and exceeds 18% of the total catch 
of all fish by weight, or
     is equal to or greater than 2 tonnes, then

the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least 5 n miles 
distant \4\. The fishing vessel shall not return to any point within 5 
n miles of the location where the by-catch of Macrourus spp. exceeded 
18% for a period of at least five days \5\. The location where the by-
catch exceeded 18% is defined as the path followed by the fishing 
vessel from the point at which the fishing gear was first deployed from 
the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear was retrieved 
by the fishing vessel.
    5. The by-catch of any species other than Macrourus spp. in the 
exploratory fisheries in the Statistical Subareas and Divisions 
concerned shall be limited to 50 tonnes.
    6. The total number and weight of Dissostichus eleginoides and 
Dissostichus mawsoni discarded, including those with the `jellymeat' 
condition, shall be reported.
    7. Each vessel participating in the exploratory fisheries for 
Dissostichus spp. during the 1999/2000 season shall have at least one 
scientific observer appointed in accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of 
International Scientific Observation, on board throughout all fishing 
activities within the fishing season.
    8. The data collection plan (Annex 182/A) and research plan (Annex 
182/B) shall be implemented. Data collected pursuant to the plan for 
the period up to 31 August 2000 shall be reported to CCAMLR by 30 
September 2000 so that the data will be available to the meeting of the 
Working Group on Fish Stock Assessment (WG-FSA) in 2000. Such data 
taken after 31 August shall be reported to CCAMLR not later than three 
months after the closure of the fishery, but, where possible, submitted 
in time for the consideration of WG-FSA.

\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Kerguelen and Crozet Islands 2
\2\ Except for waters adjacent to the Prince Edward Islands
\3\ A fine-scale rectangle is defined as an area of 0.5 deg. latitude 
by 1 deg. longitude with respect to the northwest corner of the 
Statistical Subarea or Division. The identification of each rectangle 
is by the latitude of its northernmost boundary and the longitude of 
the boundary closest to 0 deg..

[[Page 71174]]

\4\ This provision concerning the minimum distance separating fishing 
locations is adopted pending the adoption of a more appropriate 
definition of a fishing location by the Commission.
\5\ 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.

Annex 182/A

Data Collection Plan for Exploratory Fisheries

    1. All vessels will comply with the five-day catch and effort 
reporting system (Conservation Measure 51/XII) and monthly fine-scale 
effort and biological data reporting system (Conservation Measures 121/
XVI and 122/XVI).
    2. All data required by the CCAMLR Scientific Observers Manual for 
finfish fisheries will be collected. These include:
    (i) position, date and depth at the start and end of every haul;
    (ii) haul-by-haul catch and catch per effort by species;
    (iii) haul-by-haul length frequency of common species;
    (iv) sex and gonad state of common species;
    (v) diet and stomach fullness;
    (vi) scales and/or otoliths for age determination;
    (vii) number and mass by species of by-catch of fish and other 
organisms; and
    (viii) observation on occurrence and incidental mortality of 
seabirds and mammals in relation to fishing operations.
    3. Data specific to longline fisheries will be collected. These 
include:
    (i) position and sea depth at each end of every line in a haul;
    (ii) setting, soak, and hauling times;
    (iii) number and species of fish lost at surface;
    (iv) number of hooks set;
    (v) bait type;
    (vi) baiting success (%);
    (vii) hook type; and
    (viii) sea and cloud conditions and phase of the moon at the time 
of setting the lines.

Annex 182/B

Research Plan for Exploratory Fisheries

    1. Activities under this research plan shall not be exempted from 
any conservation measure in force.
    2. This plan applies to all small-scale research units (SSRU) as 
defined in Table 1 and Figure 1.
    3. Any vessel wishing to undertake prospecting or commercial 
fishing in any SSRU must undertake the following research activities 
once 10 tonnes of Dissostichus spp. have been caught or 10 hauls 
completed in the SSRU, whichever is achieved first:
    (i) a minimum of 20 hauls must be made within the SSRU and must 
collectively satisfy the criteria specified in subparagraphs (ii) to 
(v);
    (ii) each haul must be separated by not less than 10 n miles from 
any other haul, distance to be measured from the geographical mid-point 
of each haul;
    (iii) each haul shall comprise: for longlines, at least 3,500 
hooks; this may comprise a number of separate lines set in the same 
location; for trawls, at least 30 minutes effective fishing time as 
defined in the Draft Manual for Bottom Trawl Surveys in the Convention 
Area (SC-CAMLR-XI, Annex 5, Attachment E, paragraph 4).
    (iv) each haul of a longline shall have a soak time of not less 
than six hours, measured from the time of completion of the setting 
process to the beginning of the hauling process; and
    (v) all data specified in the data collection plan (Annex 182/A) of 
this conservation measure shall be collected for every research haul; 
in particular, all fish in a research haul up to 100 fish are to be 
measured and biological characteristics obtained, where more than 100 
fish are caught, a method for randomly subsampling the fish should be 
applied.
    4. The requirement to undertake the above research activities 
applies irrespective of the period over which the trigger levels of 10 
tonnes of catch or 10 hauls in any SSRU are achieved during the 1999/
2000 fishing season. The research activities must commence immediately 
when the trigger levels have been reached and must be completed before 
the vessel leaves the SSRU.

Conservation Measure 183/xviII--Exploratory Fishery for Martialia 
Hyadesi in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measures 7/V and 65/XII:
    1. The total catch of Martialia hyadesi in the 1999/2000 season 
shall be limited to 2 500 tonnes.
    2. For the purposes of this exploratory fishery, the fishing season 
is defined as the period from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2000 or 
until the catch limit is reached, whichever is sooner.
    3. For the purposes of implementing this conservation measure:
    (i) the Ten-day Catch and Effort Reporting System, as set out in 
Conservation Measure 61/XII shall apply;
    (ii) the data required to complete the CCAMLR standard fine-scale 
catch and effort data form for squid jig fisheries (Form C3) shall be 
reported from each vessel. These data shall include numbers of seabirds 
and marine mammals of each species caught and released or killed. These 
data shall be reported to CCAMLR by 31 August 2000 for catches taken 
prior to 31 July 2000; and
    (iii) data on catches taken between 31 July 2000 and 31 August 2000 
shall be reported to CCAMLR by 30 September 2000 so that the data will 
be available to the meeting of the Working Group on Fish Stock 
Assessment in 2000.
    4. Each vessel participating in this exploratory fishery for 
Martialia hyadesi in Statistical Subarea 48.3 during the 1999/2000 
season shall have at least one scientific observer, appointed in 
accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation, on board throughout all fishing activities in this subarea 
during the fishing season.
    5. The data collection plan in Annex 183/A shall be implemented. 
Data collected pursuant to the plan for the period up to 31 August 2000 
shall be reported to CCAMLR by 30 September 2000 so that the data will 
be available to the meeting of the Working Group on Fish Stock 
Assessment in 2000. Such data collected after 31 August shall be 
reported to CCAMLR not later than three months after the closure of the 
fishery.

Annex 183/A

Data Collection Plan for Exploratory Squid (MARTIALIA HYADESI) 
Fisheries in Statistical Subarea 48.3

    1. All vessels will comply with conditions set by CCAMLR. These 
include data required to complete the data form (Form TAC) for the Ten-
day Catch and Effort Reporting System, as specified by Conservation 
Measure 61/XII; and data required to complete the CCAMLR standard fine-
scale catch and effort data form for a squid jig fishery (Form C3). 
This includes numbers of seabirds and marine mammals of each species 
caught and released or killed.
    2. All data required by the CCAMLR Scientific Observers Manual for 
squid fisheries will be collected. These include:
    (i) vessel and observer program details (Form S1);
    (ii) catch information (Form S2); and
    (iii) biological data (Form S3).

[[Page 71175]]

Conservation Measure 184/XVIII--Exploratory Longline Fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 48.6 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 48.6 shall 
be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by the European 
Community and South Africa. The fishery shall be conducted by European 
Community (Portuguese-flagged) and South African-flagged vessels using 
longlining only.
    2. The precautionary catch limit for this exploratory longline 
fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.6 shall be limited to 455 tonnes of 
Dissostichus spp. north of 60 deg.S, and 455 tonnes of Dissostichus 
spp. south of 60 deg.S. In the event that either limit is reached, the 
relevant fishery shall be closed.
    3. For the purpose of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season to the north of 60 deg.S is defined as the period 
from 1 March to 31 August 2000. The 1999/2000 fishing season south of 
60 deg.S is defined as the period from 15 February to 15 October 2000.
    4. The exploratory longline fishery for the above species shall be 
carried out in accordance with Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/
XVIII.
    5. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
will be required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 148/XVII.

Conservation Measure 185/XVIII--Exploratory Trawl Fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.3 (Banzare 
and Elan Banks) in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission,
    Welcoming the notification of Australia of its intention to conduct 
an exploratory trawl fishery in Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.3 
in the 1999/2000 season,

hereby adopts the following conservation measure in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. by trawl in Statistical Division 
58.4.1 west of 90 deg.E and Statistical Division 58.4.3 shall be 
limited to the exploratory fishery by Australian-flagged vessels.
    2. BANZARE Bank is defined as waters within the latitudes 55 deg.S 
and 64 deg.S and longitudes 73 deg.30'E and 89 deg.E. Elan Bank is 
defined as waters within the latitudes 55 deg.S and 62 deg.S and 
longitudes 60 deg.E and 73 deg.30'E.
    3. The total catch of Dissostichus spp. in the 1999/2000 season 
taken by the trawl method shall not exceed 150 tonnes for BANZARE Bank 
and 145 tonnes for Elan Bank.
    4. (i) There shall be no directed fishing for any species other 
than Dissostichus spp.
    (ii) The by-catch of any species other than Dissostichus spp. shall 
not exceed 50 tonnes.
    (iii) If in the course of a directed fishery, the by-catch in any 
one haul of any by-catch species for which by-catch limitations apply 
under this conservation measure is equal to, or greater than 2 tonnes, 
then the fishing vessel shall not fish using that method of fishing at 
any point within 5 n miles \1\ of the location where the by-catch 
exceeded 2 tonnes for a period of at least five days.\2\.
    The location where the by-catch exceeded 2 tonnes is defined as the 
path followed by the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing 
gear was first deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which 
the fishing gear was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    5. For the purposes of this exploratory trawl fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 December 1999 to 30 
November 2000 or until the catch limit of the target or by-catch 
species is reached, whichever is the sooner.
    6. Each vessel participating in this exploratory trawl fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.3 in the 
1999/2000 season shall have at least one scientific observer appointed 
in accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific 
Observation on board throughout all fishing activities within these 
divisions.
    7. Each vessel operating in this exploratory trawl fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.3 shall be 
required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with Conservation 
Measure 148/XVII.
    8. 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; and
    (ii) the monthly fine-scale biological data, as required under 
Conservation Measure 121/XVI, shall be recorded and reported in 
accordance with the System of International Scientific Observation when 
undertaking commercial fishing in Statistical Divisions 58.4.1 and 
58.4.3.
    9. The total number and weight of Dissostichus spp. discarded, 
including those with the jellymeat condition, shall be reported. These 
fish will count towards the total allowable catch.
    10. The research and fisheries operations plan shall be as set out 
in Annex 182/A and 182/B of Conservation Measure 182/XVIII (General 
Measures for Exploratory Fisheries for Dissostichus spp. in the 
Convention Area for the 1999/2000 Season), with the following 
variations:
    (i) There shall be two small-scale research units, one for BANZARE 
Bank and one for Elan Bank, as defined in paragraph 2 above.
    (ii) data reporting measures specific to the longlining method 
shall not apply.

\1\ This provision is adopted pending the adoption of a more 
appropriate definition of a fishing location 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 186/XVIII--New Trawl Fishery for Chaenodraco 
Wilsoni, Lepidonotothen Kempi, Trematomus Eulepidotus, Pleuragramma 
Antarcticum and Exploratory Trawl Fishery for Dissostichus spp. in 
Statistical Division 58.4.2 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Chaenodraco wilsoni, Lepidonotothen kempi, 
Trematomus eulepidotus Pleuragramma antarcticum and Dissostichus spp. 
by trawl in Statistical Division 58.4.2 between the longitudes of 
45 deg.E and 80 deg.E shall be limited to the new and exploratory 
fisheries by Australian-flagged vessels.
    2. The total catch of all species in the 1999/2000 season shall not 
exceed 1,500 tonnes.
    3. The catch of Chaenodraco wilsoni in the 1999/2000 season shall 
be taken by the midwater trawl method only and shall not exceed 500 
tonnes.
    4. The catches of Lepidonotothen kempi, Trematomus eulepidotus and 
Pleuragramma antarcticum in the 1999/2000 season shall be taken by the 
midwater trawl method only, and shall not exceed 300 tonnes for any one 
species.
    5. The total catch of Dissostichus spp. taken by the trawl method 
shall not exceed 500 tonnes, of which no more than 150 tonnes shall be 
taken in each of the zones bounded by the longitudes 50 deg.E and 
60 deg.E, 60 deg.E and 70 deg.E, 70 deg.E and 80 deg.E respectively, 
and 50 tonnes in the zone bounded by 45 deg.E and 50 deg.E.
    6. (i) There shall be no directed fishing for any species other 
than those

[[Page 71176]]

specified in paragraph 1 of this conservation measure.
    (ii) The by-catch of any fish species other than those specified in 
paragraph 1 of this conservation measure shall not exceed 50 tonnes.
    (iii) If, in the course of a directed fishery, the by-catch in any 
one haul of any by-catch species for which by-catch limitations apply 
under this conservation measure is equal to, or greater than 2 tonnes, 
then the fishing vessel shall not fish using that method of fishing at 
any point within 5 n miles \1\ of the location where the by-catch 
exceeded 2 tonnes for a period of at least five days \2\. The location 
where the by-catch exceeded 2 tonnes is defined as the path followed by 
the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear was first 
deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear 
was retrieved by the fishing vessel.
    7. For the purposes of these new and exploratory trawl fisheries, 
the 1999/2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 December 
1999 to 30 November 2000 or until the catch limit is reached, whichever 
is the sooner.
    8. Each vessel participating in these new and exploratory trawl 
fisheries in Statistical Division 58.4.2 in the 1999/2000 season shall 
have at least one scientific observer appointed in accordance with the 
CCAMLR Scheme of International Scientific Observation on board 
throughout all fishing activities within this division.
    9. Each vessel operating in these new and exploratory trawl 
fisheries in Statistical Division 58.4.2 shall be required to operate a 
VMS at all times, in accordance with Conservation Measure 148/XVII.
    10. 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; and
    (ii) the monthly fine-scale biological data, as required under 
Conservation Measure 121/XVI, shall be recorded and reported in 
accordance with the System of International Scientific Observation.
    11. The total number and weight of Dissostichus spp. discarded, 
including those with the jellymeat condition, shall be reported. These 
fish will count towards the total allowable catch.
    12. The data collection and research plans in Annex 186/A shall be 
implemented and the results reported to CCAMLR not later than three 
months after the closure of the fishery.

\1\ This provision is adopted pending the adoption of a more 
appropriate definition of a fishing location 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.

Annex 186/A

Data Collection and Research Plans

    1. In the case of midwater trawling for Chaenodraco wilsoni, 
Lepidonotothen kempi, Trematomus eulepidotus and Pleuragramma 
antarcticum, the data collection and research plans shall be as set out 
in Annex 182/A and 182/B of Conservation Measure 182/XVIII (General 
Measures for Exploratory Fisheries for Dissostichus spp. in the 
Convention Area for the 1999/2000 Season), with the following 
variations:
    (i) there shall be four small-scale research units, bounded by the 
longitudes 45 deg.E to 50 deg.E, 50 deg.E to 60 deg.E, 60 deg.E to 
70 deg.E and 70 deg.E to 80 deg.E respectively; and
    (ii) data reporting measures specific to the longlining method 
shall not apply.
    2. Demersal trawling for Dissostichus spp. in water shallower than 
550 m shall be prohibited except for the research activities described 
below:
    (i) demersal trawling shall be allowed only in designated `open' 
areas on the upper and mid-slope in depths greater than 550 m;
    (ii) the manner in which areas are designated ``open'' and 
``closed'' for demersal trawling will be determined according to the 
following procedure:
    (a) open and closed areas will consist of a series of north-south 
strips extending from the coast to beyond the foot of the continental 
slope. Each strip will be one degree of longitude wide;
    (b) in the first instance, when the vessel has found an appropriate 
area for prospecting or fishing, it will designate the strip as 
``open'', with the area to be fished to be approximately centered in 
that strip;
    (c) a single prospecting haul will be permitted in that strip 
before it is designated as open or closed, to establish if an 
aggregation of interest is present. There must be a minimum of 30 
minutes of longitude between prospecting hauls where no strip is 
designated ``open'';
    (d) whenever a strip is designated ``open'', at least one strip 
adjacent to that strip must be designated as ``closed''. Any remnant 
strips less than one degree wide resulting from the previous selection 
of open and closed strips, will be designated as closed;
    (e) once a strip is designated closed it cannot be subsequently 
fished in that season by any method that allows fishing gear to contact 
the bottom;
    (f) prior to commercial fishing in an open strip, the vessel must 
undertake the survey trawls in the open strip as described below. The 
survey trawls in the adjacent closed strip must be undertaken prior to 
the vessel fishing a new strip. If the adjacent closed strip has 
already been surveyed, a new survey is not necessary; and
    (g) when the vessel wishes to fish in a new strip, it must not 
choose a strip already closed. Once a new strip is designated, 
conditions as described in paragraphs (b) to (f) will apply to that 
strip.
    3. Survey trawls in each open strip and its adjacent closed strip 
will be conducted according to the following scheme:
    (i) each pair of strips will be divided between the shelf area 
above 550 m and the slope area below 550 m. In each open and closed 
strip the following research shall be undertaken:
    (a) in the section deeper than 550 m, two stations (whose locations 
have been randomly pre-selected according to depth and longitude) shall 
be sampled. At each of these stations a beam-trawl sample of benthos 
and a bottom-trawl sample of finfish using a commercial trawl with a 
small mesh liner shall be taken;
    (b) in the section shallower than 550 m, two stations shall be 
sampled at randomly pre-selected sites according to depth and longitude 
for benthos using a beam-trawl once at each station only; and
    (c) this will be undertaken in each pair of the open and closed 
strips using the process described above.
    4. The following data and material will be collected from research 
and commercial hauls, as required by the CCAMLR Scientific Observers 
Manual:
    (i) position, date and depth at the start and end of every haul;
    (ii) haul-by haul catch and catch per effort by species;
    (iii) haul-by haul length frequency of common species;
    (iv) sex and gonad state of common species;
    (v) diet and stomach fullness;
    (vi) scales and/or otoliths for age determination;
    (vii) by-catch of fish and other organisms; and
    (viii) observations on the occurrence of seabirds and mammals in 
relation to fishing operations, and details of any incidental mortality 
of these animals.

[[Page 71177]]

Conservation Measure 187/XVIII--Exploratory Longline Fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Division 58.4.3 Outside Areas Under 
National Jurisdictions in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Division 58.4.3 
outside areas under national jurisdictions by the longline method shall 
be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by the European 
Community and France. The fishery shall be conducted by European 
Community (Portuguese-flagged) and French-flagged vessels using 
longlining only.
    2. BANZARE Bank is defined as waters within Statistical Division 
58.4.3 and between the latitudes 55 deg.S and 62 deg.S and longitudes 
73 deg.30'E and 80 deg.E. Elan Bank is defined as waters within the 
latitudes 55 deg.S and 62 deg.S and longitudes 60 deg.E and 73 deg.30'E 
outside areas of national jurisdiction.
    3. The precautionary catch limit of Dissostichus spp. for this 
exploratory longline fishery in Statistical Division 58.4.3 shall be 
limited to 300 tonnes on BANZARE Bank and 250 tonnes on Elan Bank. In 
the event that the limit on either of these banks is reached, the 
fishery on that bank shall be closed.
    4. For the purpose of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 May to 31 August 
2000.
    5. The exploratory longline fishery for the above species shall be 
carried out in accordance with Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/
XVIII.
    6. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
will be required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 148/XVII.

Conservation Measure 188/XVIII \1\--Exploratory Longline Fishery for 
Dissostichus Eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.4.4 in the 1999/
2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical Division 
58.4.4 shall be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by Chile, 
the European Community, France, South Africa and Uruguay. The fishery 
shall be conducted by European Community (Portuguese-flagged), Chilean, 
French, South African and Uruguayan-flagged vessels using longlining 
only.
    2. The precautionary catch for Statistical Division 58.4.4 shall be 
limited to 370 tonnes of Dissostichus spp. north of 60 deg.S, to be 
taken by longlining. In the event that this limit is reached, the 
fishery shall be closed.
    3. For the purpose of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 May to 31 August 
2000.
    4. The exploratory longline fishery for the above species shall be 
carried out in accordance with Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/
XVIII.
    5. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
will be required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 148/XVII.

\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Prince Edward Islands.

Conservation Measure 189/XVIII1,\1\,\2\ Exploratory Longline Fishery 
for Dissostichus Eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 58.6 in the 1999/
2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 58.6 
shall be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by Chile, the 
European Community, France and South Africa. The fishery shall be 
conducted by European Community (Portuguese-flagged), Chilean, French 
and South African-flagged vessels using longlining only.
    2. The precautionary catch limit for this exploratory fishery in 
Statistical Subarea 58.6 shall be limited to 450 tonnes of Dissostichus 
eleginoides, to be taken by longlining. In the event that this limit is 
reached, the fishery shall be closed.
    3. For the purpose of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 May to 31 August 
2000.
    4. The exploratory longline fishery for the above species shall be 
carried out in accordance with Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/
XVIII.
    5. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
will be required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 148/XVII.

\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Crozet Islands.
\2\ Except for waters adjacent to the Prince Edward Islands.

Conservation Measure 190/XVIII--Exploratory Longline Fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 88.1 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 88.1 shall 
be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by Chile, the European 
Community and New Zealand. The fishery shall be conducted by European 
Community (Portuguese-flagged), Chilean and New Zealand-flagged vessels 
using longlining only.
    2. The precautionary catch limit north of 65 deg.S in Statistical 
Subarea 88.1 shall be limited to 175 tonnes of Dissostichus spp. In the 
event this limit is reached, the fishery north of 65 deg.S shall be 
closed.
    3. The precautionary catch limit south of 65 deg.S in Statistical 
Subarea 88.1 shall be limited to 1 915 tonnes of Dissostichus spp. In 
the event this limit is reached, the fishery south of 65 deg.S shall be 
closed. In order to ensure an adequate spread of fishing effort south 
of 65 deg.S, no more than 478 tonnes of Dissostichus spp. shall be 
taken from each of the four small-scale research units (SSRU), as 
defined in Annex 182/B of Conservation Measure 182/XVIII, identified 
for Statistical Subarea 88.1 south of 65 deg.S.
    4. For the purposes of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 1 December 1999 to 31 
August 2000.
    5. The directed longline fishery for Dissostichus spp. in 
Statistical Subarea 88.1 shall be carried out in accordance with all 
aspects of Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/XVIII. However, south 
of 65 deg.S the directed fishery by New Zealand, and fishing by New 
Zealand associated with the research plan, for the above species shall 
be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Conservation 
Measures 182/XVIII and 29/XVI, except paragraph 3 of Conservation 
Measure 29/XVI shall not apply. To permit experimental line-weighting 
trials south of 65 deg.S, longlines may be set during daylight hours if 
the vessels can demonstrate a consistent minimum line sink rate of 0.3 
metres per second. If a total aggregate of ten (10) seabirds is caught 
during daytime setting then the variation from Conservation Measure 29/
XVI paragraph 3 shall cease and all vessels shall revert to setting 
longlines at night in accordance with Conservation Measure 29/XVI.
    6. Each vessel participating in the fishery shall have at least one 
observer appointed in accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of 
International Scientific Observation on board throughout all fishing 
activities within this fishery.
    7. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
shall be

[[Page 71178]]

required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with Conservation 
Measure 148/XVII.
    8. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 88.1 shall 
be prohibited within 10 n miles of the coast of the Balleny Islands.

Conservation Measure 191/XVIII--Exploratory Longline Fishery for 
Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 88.2 in the 1999/2000 Season

    The Commission hereby adopts the following conservation measure in 
accordance with Conservation Measure 65/XII:
    1. Fishing for Dissostichus spp. in Statistical Subarea 88.2 shall 
be limited to the exploratory longline fishery by Chile and the 
European Community. The fishery shall be conducted by Chilean-flagged 
and European Community (Portuguese-flagged) vessels using longlining 
only.
    2. The precautionary catch for this exploratory longline fishery in 
Statistical Subarea 88.2 shall be limited to 250 tonnes of Dissostichus 
spp. south of 65 deg.S. In the event that this limit is reached, the 
fishery shall be closed.
    3. For the purposes of this exploratory longline fishery, the 1999/
2000 fishing season is defined as the period from 15 December 1999 to 
31 August 2000.
    4. The exploratory longline fishery for the above species shall be 
carried out in accordance with Conservation Measures 29/XVI and 182/
XVIII.
    5. Each vessel participating in this exploratory longline fishery 
shall be required to operate a VMS at all times, in accordance with 
Conservation Measure 148/XVII.

Conservation Measure 192/XVIII--Protection of the Cape Shirreff Cemp 
Site

    1. The Commission noted that a program of long-term studies is 
being undertaken at Cape Shirreff and the San Telmo Islands, Livingston 
Island, South Shetland Islands, as part of the CCAMLR Ecosystem 
Monitoring Program (CEMP). Recognising that these studies may be 
vulnerable to accidental or wilful interference, the Commission 
expressed its concern that this CEMP site, the scientific 
investigations, and the Antarctic marine living resources therein be 
protected.
    2. Therefore, the Commission considers it appropriate to accord 
protection to the Cape Shirreff CEMP site, as defined in the Cape 
Shirreff management plan.
    3. Members shall comply with the provisions of the Cape Shirreff 
CEMP site management plan, which is recorded in Annex B ``Cape 
Shirreff'' of Conservation Measure 18/XIII.
    4. To allow Members adequate time to implement the relevant 
permitting procedures associated with this measure and the management 
plan, this Conservation Measure (192/XVIII) shall become effective as 
of 1 May 2000. Conservation Measure 82/XIII shall apply until midnight 
on 30 April 2000.
    5. In accordance with Article X, the Commission shall draw this 
conservation measure to the attention of any State that is not a Party 
to the Convention and whose nationals or vessels are present in the 
Convention Area.
Raymond V. Arnaudo,
Director, Office of Oceans Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 99-32891 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P