22 October 2007 - With
international interest growing in the uses
for krill, Australia will be out to ensure
the conservation and sustainability of the
Southern Ocean at the annual meeting of
the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which
begins in Hobart today.
Demand for krill and krill oil is increasing
for use in aquaculture, pharmaceuticals
and as food additives. The latest is yoghurt
when, earlier this year, two major international
companies entered into agreement with a
bioresources company to research and develop
new fresh dairy products.
Australia will propose amendments to existing
conservation measures, improvements to the
System of Inspection, and agreement that
any increase in the precautionary catch
limit for krill is complemented by adequate
monitoring, control and surveillance measures.
Leader of the Australian delegation, Dr
Tony Press - Director of the Australian
Antarctic Division - said that the krill
fishery required orderly and precautionary
development.
"We believe there should be observers
on all krill vessels, more adequate reporting
systems, a vessel-monitoring system that
reports to the CCAMLR Secretariat, port
inspections of krill vessels, and no krill
fishing in unsurveyed areas," he said.
Australia will continue its strong stance
against illegal, unregulated and unreported
(IUU) fishing for toothfish, including having
ships involved in such activities placed
on CCAMLR's IUU Vessel List.
Dr Press said it was important to keep
track of rogue vessels whose activities
undermined the effectiveness of international
conservation and management measures.
Dr Press leads a delegation which includes
representatives of Commonwealth, State and
Territory Governments, conservation groups
and the fishing industry, who provide scientific
and policy advice.
The meeting will be held from October 22
until November 2 at CCAMLR Headquarters,
Macquarie St, Hobart.
For the first time China will be attending
as a Member State, having recently become
the 25th party to join CCAMLR.
More information about CCAMLR
Media contact: Patti Lucas
