Fisheries friendly protected areas in the Southern Ocean

Under Norwegian chairmanship CCAMLR has agreed upon a framework for the establishment of marine protected areas in the Antarctic. The agreement also secures the interests of fisheries. Norway is a leading fisheries nation in the Antarctic.

”This important step represents a milestone and lays an excellent foundation for a continued balance between the protection and sustainable harvest of the Southern Ocean,” were the words of Norway’s representative to CCAMLR, Special Advisor for Polar Affairs Karsten Klepsvik from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among the fisheries managed by CCAMLR it is krill fishing in the Southern Ocean in particular that has been of commercial significance to Norway in recent years. The total quota for krill will in 2011/2012 remain at 5.61 million tons, which is a continuation of the quota level from 2010. The quota is well within the bounds of precautionary limits.

Three Norwegian vessels participated in the fishing activity of the current season, and the krill catch of these vessels of about 103,000 tons constitutes more than 50% of the total harvest according to the preliminary capture reports.

Research in the Antarctic is challenging and cost-intensive. The Norwegian fisheries industry has supported CCAMLR’s work towards procuring the required data. There are scientific observers on board the Norwegian krill vessels and in addition to monitoring the fishing activity the observers also accumulate data for CCAMLR.

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) held its 30th annual meeting in Hobart, Australia from 24 October to 4 November of this year.

For further information contact advisor Pål Einar Skogrand, Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, tel. ++47 - 97715820.