[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 speciesis 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