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As noted in previous Commission reports, Antarctic 

 krill occupies a central role in the Southern Ocean food 

 web. It is the dominant herbivore and the principal component 

 in the diets of numerous species, including: fin, blue, 

 humpback, and minke whales; crabeater and Antarctic fur 

 seals; Adelie, chinstrap, macaroni, and rockhopper penguins; 

 several other species of seabirds; and several species of 

 fishes and squid. Some of these species are eaten in turn 

 by sperm whales, killer whales, leopard seals, and other 

 species. 



Because of the possible adverse effects of fisheries 

 and offshore oil and gas development on marine mammals, the 

 Marine Mammal Commission, since it became operational in 

 1974, has undertaken a continuing review of matters that 

 might affect the structure and dynamics of the Southern 

 Ocean ecosystem. It has made numerous recommendations on 

 the need for a comprehensive biological and ecological 

 research program in the Southern Ocean and for international 

 agreements to regulate fisheries and offshore oil and gas 

 activities. Commission activities prior to 1983 have been 

 reported in detail in earlier Commission reports. A brief 

 summary of these earlier activities and a discussion of 1983 

 activities are provided below. 



Activities Related to Living Resources 



The need for an international agreement to regulate the 

 harvesting of Antarctic krill and other living marine resources 

 in the Southern Ocean was recognized by the Antarctic Treaty 

 Consultative Parties and, at the IXth Antarctic Treaty 

 Consultative Meeting held late in 1977, it was agreed that 

 a Special Consultative Meeting should be convened to elaborate 

 a definitive regime for conservation of Antarctic marine 

 living resources. Negotiations were begun early in 1978, 

 and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine 

 Living Resources was concluded at a Diplomatic Conference 

 held in Canberra, Australia, 7 to 20 May 1980. The Convention 

 entered into force on 7 April 1982, 30 days following 

 deposit of the eighth Instrument of Ratification, and the 

 first meetings of the Commission and Scientific Committee, 

 established pursuant to the terms of the Convention, were 

 held in Hobart, Australia, 24 May to 11 June 1982. The Marine 

 Mammal Commission's activities regarding the negotiations 

 and related matters are described in previous Annual Reports , 

 particularly those for 1980, 1981, and 1982. 



