The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR) has recently adopted measures to fight illegal fishing in the waters around Antarctica.
CCAMLR Members now have to investigate, and where appropriate, take action against any of their nationals suspected of illegal fishing activities in the CCAMLR area.
The scheme includes the whole chain of fishing activity, including capture, transhipment, transport and marketing.
Members must provide one another with information necessary for successful investigations and must also provide reports to the Secretariat on actions that have been taken under the scheme.
The measure was proposed by the European Commission and adopted by consensus.
Joe Borg Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs commented: “This decision by CCAMLR represents a major step forward in fighting illegal fishing activities in the Antarctic”.
This is the first time a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation has adopted such a comprehensive measure that is binding upon all of its Members. CCAMLR currently has 24 members, including the EU, and eight EU Member States who will have to transpose the new scheme into their national legislation by 1 July 2008 at the latest.
