A proposal to enhance and clarify CCAMLR’s Catch Documentation Scheme

To prevent the entry of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) into commerce, CCAMLR’s catch documentation scheme tracks shipments from the point of harvest through final import for consumption.  The move, in 2010, to a fully electronic Catch Documentation Scheme (e-CDS) has improved the tracking of toothfish moving in trade and decreased the potential for fraud.  It has greatly enhanced the ability of Members, as well as non-Members cooperating with CCAMLR by participating in the CDS, to ensure that the toothfish entering their markets were harvested in a manner consistent with CCAMLR conservation measures.  Other organizations and arrangements seeking to establish effective catch documentation schemes look to the e-CDS as a model of effective and efficient product traceability.  However, there are some improvements that could be made in order to clarify ambiguous fields, upgrade the CDS to take advantage of more modern electronic documentation tools in general, and ensure the requirements are operationally feasible.