China’s plan for marine investigation and assessment in the East Antarctic sector

Given the large scale and hostile condition of the Southern Ocean, which accounts for almost 10% of the world ocean, the collection of scientific data and information in support of effective decision-making process is particularly challenging. To fulfill its obligation to provide scientific recommendations and advice for management, the SC-CAMLR is mandated to encourage and promote cooperation in the field of scientific research in order to extend knowledge of the marine living resources of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. As an important component of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, the vast marine area around east Antarctica is generally recognized as data-poor region. During the discussion in the SC-CAMLR on the marine living resources and the ecosystem in this region, including in the process of development of East Antarctic Marine Protected Areas proposal, the paucity of time-series biotic data that can be used to describe the structure and process of the ecosystem, particularly those relevant to the quantitative assessment of some important fish and krill stocks, has been reiterated by members. For example, WG-EMM-10/26, and SC-CAMLR-XXX/11, etc.