About the CAMLR Convention

What is Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for toothfish and electronic CDS (e-CDS)?

The Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for Toothfish under CM10-05 aims to provide a basis for identifying the origins of the toothfish, determining if the toothfish were caught in a manner consistent with the relevant Conservation Measures and furnishing the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) with essential information necessary for fulfilling the management objectives of the CAMLR Convention.

e-CDS is a web-based application implemented by the CCAMLR to support the CDS for generation, validation, completion and storage of documents under the CDS.

Each Contracting Party to the CAMLR Convention is required to use the e-CDS to identify the origin of any toothfish landed in, imported into or exported from its territories in order to establish if it was caught in accordance with the Conservation Measures agreed by CCAMLR.  All toothfish caught in accordance with the requirements of CCAMLR would be accompanied by a Dissostichus catch document (DCD), Dissostichus export document (DED) and/or Dissostichus re-export document (DRED) issued using the e-CDS. Toothfish without valid documentation cannot be landed and transhipped in the port of any Contracting Parties or subsequently traded.

About Toothfish Licence

Who can apply for a Toothfish Licence?

Anyone can apply for a Toothfish Import/Export/Re-export Licence. Generally speaking, applicants are importers and exporters or their agents, including shippers, carriers, transportation and logistics companies, etc. The AFCD will based on the information submitted by the applicant (including the information on the intended import and export of the toothfish items, the contents of the relevant convention documents, transaction receipts and authorization certificates, etc.) to decide whether or not to issue a licence.

Do I need to apply for a permit for importing, exporting or re-exporting toothfish items to and from Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR?

The Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR each have their own import and export control and law enforcement agencies. Therefore, a licence is required for importing and exporting toothfish items to and from the Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR.

What is the difference between a conventional paper licence and an electronic licence?

An electronic licence issued under Trade Single Window and its printouts bear the same information and carry the same effect as a conventional paper licence.

How can I verify the validity of an electronic licence?

An electronic licence includes two features (i) QR code and (ii) 7-digit alphanumeric Validation Code to facilitate online verification of its validity. Scan the QR code printed on an electronic licence and the verification result will be displayed on the website of Trade Single Window, or select “Check Licence Validity” and input the Validation Code of the electronic licence, the verification result will also be shown on the website.

How long a licence be valid for? Can a licence be renewed?

The validity of a licence is 180 days from the date of approval of the application. The licence will automatically become invalid on expiry. Anyone who wish to renew the licence must submit a fresh application.

Can I apply to amend the information on a licence after issuance?

The information including the licensee, the consignee and the descriptions of the toothfish items on a licence cannot be amended after issuance. Should there be any changes in the transportation details, please notify AFCD to update the relevant information.

How to identify a toothfish item?

Protein or DNA analysis is recognized as a reliable method for discriminating closely related fish species and is currently a commonly adopted method for identification of toothfish.  Besides, photographs of toothfish products and packaging could also be taken to assist with identification. 

The scientific name and descriptions of a toothfish item are clearly shown on a Dissostichus catch document (DCD), Dissostichus export document (DED) and/or Dissostichus re-export document (DRED).  Traders can reveal the identity and description of a toothfish item on the CDS document.

About Pre-arrival notification of fishing vessel carrying Antarctic Marine Organisms

What kind of vessels need to submit a pre-arrival notification? How to submit?

Section 4(1) of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Port Inspection and Control) Regulation (Cap. 635B) stipulates that all fishing vessels carrying Antarctic marine organisms intend to enter the waters of Hong Kong must notify the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation of the intended entry not less than 48 hours before the entry. The master, owner or agent of the owner must use the form in Annex A of CM10-03 to provide the notification and other required information.

The master, the owner or an agent of the owner can download the notification form in Annex A of CM 10-03 from the CCAMLR’s website or the AFCD’s website, and submit the notification form by email, by fax, by post or in person.  The master, the owner or an agent of the owner can also submit the notification form online through the Electronic Business System (eBS) implemented by the Marine Department.