Economy
The crucial Tasmanian vote: Supporters in new push for scaled back Antarctic reserve
A bloc of countries has issued a joint call for the creation of marine reserves in Antarctica.
The group, which includes the US, EU, France, New Zealand and Australia, saw their initial plans thrown out by opposition from Russia earlier this year.
But the new plan suggests significant scaling down of one reserve in the hope of securing agreement.
It will be submitted to a meeting in Tasmania next week.
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), made up of 25 members with interests in the Southern Ocean, has been working since 2005 to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in the region.
At a special meeting in July, plans to establish two giant reserves in the Ross Sea and in east Antarctica were tabled by a number of countries.
Doubling the world’s reserves
The Ross Sea proposal, supported by the US and New Zealand, would have banned commercial fishing in an area of 1.6m sq km.
The other reserve, supported by France, Australia and the EU aimed to protect 1.9m sq km on the Pacific side of Antarctica.
But Russia and the Ukraine questioned the legal basis of the plan that would have more than doubled the size of the world’s marine reserves at a stroke.
Other countries, including Norway, China and Japan queried the science and the size of the proposed reserves and wanted the inclusion of a “sunset clause”, which meant the decision could be reviewed in the future.
As CCAMLR operates on a consensus basis, the nations in favour of the plans were forced to withdraw.
Now ahead of the Commission’s annual meeting in Hobart, the proponents of the reserves have issued revised plans and a call for their adoption.
Read the full article, BBC here
Dear Friend,
Although many marine ecosystems have been harmed by pollution, mining, oil drilling, climate change and overfishing, Antarctica’s Southern Ocean remains the most pristine on Earth. While protected from minerals exploration, these wilderness habitats are still at risk from climate change, ocean acidification and global fishing pressures. It’s time to create a Southern Ocean Sanctuary and we need your help!
This beautiful, icy ocean environment is home to nearly 10,000 highly adapted species, many of which can be found nowhere else on the planet. Adélie and emperor penguins, Antarctic petrels and minke whales, Ross Sea killer whales, colossal squid and Weddell seals all thrive in this inhospitable climate.
PLEASE COME TO THE LUNCHTIME VIGIL/RALLY and show CCAMLR members that people care and that the world is watching!
The 25 Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) are meeting now to decide the fate of the Ross Sea and East Antarctic coastal regions. CCAMLR Members includes 24 countries and the European Union.
This is a unique chance to ensure these irreplaceable marine ecosystems are preserved for future generations!
The Antarctic Ocean Alliance (AOA) is a group of 30 leading environmental organizations including the Pew Charitable Trust, WWF, Greenpeace, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), Ocean Planet, ECO, Forest & Bird, Mission Blue, Greenovation Hub (China), CIES/KFEM (Korea) The Last Ocean, Oceans 5, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and other groups worldwide.
See you at 12:30pm Monday 28th!
www.antarcticocean.org
• AOA calls on CCAMLR to agree lasting Ross Sea and East Antarctica protection