sydney

Sensitivities about exploiting Antarctica's resources surfaced at the meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, last week of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). This followed revelations of illegal fishing, mostly unreported, in the Southern Ocean. Rex Moncur, director of the Antarctic Division, estimates the poaching is worth A$500 million (US$350 million).

After Australian fishermen and scientists expressed alarm at the rapid depletion of some species, notably the Patagonian toothfish, the Australian Navy apprehended foreign vessels alleged to be operating illegally in the zone around the Heard and Macdonald Islands.

The two ministers in the Australian government concerned with Antarctica and resources expressed disappointment that “more concrete action could not be agreed” by CCAMLR after Australia pressed for other countries to follow its example of scientific observers on vessels to monitor catches and report vessels seen poaching.

But CCAMLR, which operates by consensus and has no direct powers to police its decisions, agreed only to prohibit fishing for toothfish in three areas for which conservation measures are not in place, and to “tougher” controls on port access.