The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) requires advice based on the best science available to ensure that the objectives of the Articles of the Convention are achieved. Scientists primarily develop this advice, which is often simply endorsed by the Scientific Committee, though subsidiary bodies that meet during the course of the intersessional period. Here, I reflect on my experience as previous Chair of the Scientific Committee to identify some challenges and potential solutions to increase and broaden scientific capacity and help ensure that the best scientific advice is developed.