At CCAMLR-39 (2020), the Commission agreed to establish an e-group to allow for information exchange between Members to facilitate a thorough investigation regarding the issue of allegations against the Russian-flagged fishing vessel (FV) Palmer (CCAMLR-39, paragraph 6.11). No such group was established. New Zealand understands that the Russian Federation’s investigations are ongoing.
This paper summarises, for the Commission’s reference, the information that has been tabled to date in support of those investigations including regarding activities in January 2020 that led to New Zealand’s recommendation to include FV Palmer on the CP-IUU Vessel List (COMM CIRCs 20/47, 20/76, 20/130, 20/135 and 20/149 and in CCAMLR-39/11 Rev. 1), and further investigation of the 2017 pre-season fishing activities.