In response to concerns over the decline in albatross populations, and the potential for this to be exacerbated by interactions with CCAMLR fisheries, the Commission undertook initial discussion in 1991 and 1992 and convened a meeting of relevant experts on seabirds and longline fishing in 1993. One of the outcomes of this meeting was the creation of an ad hoc Working Group on Incidental Mortality Arising from Longline Fishing (later to become Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing (IMAF)).

WG-IMAF met annually until 2009 when, in response to the reductions in incidental mortality of seabirds, the decision was made to meet in alternate years. From 2011 to 2021 it did not need to meet. Following a decision at SC-CAMLR-40, WG-IMAF reconvened from 2022 onwards to review mitigation of incidental mortality in the krill trawl fishery.

The current Co-conveners of WG-IMAF are Mr Nathan Walker (New Zealand) and Dr Marco Favero (Argentina).

A list of the meetings (including reports) is available here.