Conservation Measure 51-04 for exploratory fisheries for Antarctic krill in the 2023/24 season outlines regulations to protect the krill population and ensure sustainable fishing practices in the Convention Area. The measure applies to exploratory fisheries for Antarctic krill, with specific exemptions granted by the Commission. Fishing in any statistical subarea or division must cease when the reported catch reaches the specified limit, and no more than 75% of the catch limit can be taken within 60 nautical miles of known breeding colonies of land, based krill, dependent predators. Vessels must have observers on board during all fishing activities, and data collection and research plans must be implemented and reported to CCAMLR. The geographic position of trawl hauls must be recorded, and fishing gear must be defined clearly. Research operations must be conducted before or after normal fishing operations, with specific requirements for acoustic transects and research net hauls. The survey design ensures that exploratory units visited during research operations surround and include units where normal fishing operations occurred.
2023-01-01