CCMLR, an intergovernmental organisation under the Antarctic Treaty System with 23 member countries and 6 state parties to the Convention, sets guidelines for optimum exploitation of living resources of Antarctic waters based on an ecosystem approach. India (Secretary, DOD) as the present Chairman of CCAMLR, chaired the XVIII meeting of CCAMLR at Hobart, Australia from 25th October to 5th November 1999.

The need for CCAMLR to exert effective control over fishing activities taking place in contravention of the Convention or of the spirit in which it was negotiated was highlighted by India. CCAMLR-XVIII was acknowledged by the member countries as one of the most successful meetings of CCAMLR in adopting a Catch Documentation Scheme for tooth fish (Dissostichus spp.) with a view to conserve the tooth fish stocks, which since years has been threatened due to the high scale of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

Director, Sagar Sampada Cell and Deputy High Commissioner of Indian Mission at Canberra also represented India at the meeting. India was also represented (through Sr. Scientific Officer of Sagar Sampada Cell, Kochi) at the meeting of the WG-EMM, a subsidiary body of the Scientific Committee of CCAMLR, held during July'99 in Spain.