Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was signed into existence in 1982 and forms a key part of the Antarctic Treaty system. CCAMLR manages conservation of Antarctic marine living resources south of the Antarctic Convergence, i.e., the rough boundary where warmer waters from the north meet the colder Antarctic waters below 60° South.

CCAMLR practises an ecosystem-based management approach. This does not exclude harvesting as long as such harvesting is carried out in a sustainable manner and takes account of the effects of fishing on other components of the ecosystem.

“Marine living resources” includes organisms from finfish, molluscs, and crustaceans, to marine mammals and seabirds. Exceptions are whales and seals, which are governed by separate treaties – the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals. CCAMLR works in close partnership with the organisations responsible for these treaties.