Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is an international Treaty that was adopted at the Conference on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in Canberra, Australia, from May 7 to 20, 1980. The Convention is a response to concerns that unregulated increases in krill catches in the Southern Ocean could be harmful for Antarctic marine ecosystems, especially for seabirds, seals, whales and fish that depend on krill for food. The CCAMLR consists of 33 articles, an annex relating to an arbitration tribunal, and a statement by the Chairman of the Conference on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Its focus lies on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. The Convention is open for participation by any State interested in research or harvesting activities of the Convention. Participating States do not take part in the decision-making process of the Commission nor contribute to the budget. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was opened for signature on August 1, 1980 and entered into force on April 7, 1982.