Pic: John Weller
PLANS to protect vast tracts of ocean surrounding Antarctica — by creating the world’s biggest marine parks — appear likely to be stymied, largely by China.
Several nations, led by China, were last night blocking plans by Australia, France, the US and New Zealand for two marine protected areas covering a total of four million square kilometres of Antarctic ocean.
Last night, attempts were under way by Australia and other MPA proponents to salvage the plans, being decided by the Commission for the Conservation of Marine Living Resources, meeting in Hobart.
Unless the deadlock was broken overnight, the MPA proposal will be defeated because the 25-member global commission operates by consensus.
Read the rest, The Australian here
• Ross descendant: Make your first choice a pact to cherish life. Includes links to earlier article and link to the marine park plan.
