Major Victory for Protection of the Southern Ocean

Friday 28 October, Hobart, Australia: The Antarctic Ocean Alliance applauds the momentous
agreement by Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources (CCAMLR) to safeguard 1.55 million km2 of the Ross Sea in the Southern Ocean.

“CCAMLR made history today by declaring the world’s largest marine protected area in the
Ross Sea, protecting penguins, seals, whales and countless other creatures,” said Andrea
Kavanagh, who directs The Pew Charitable Trusts Antarctic and Southern O cean work. “This
decision shows that CCAMLR takes its role as protector of Antarctic waters seriously.”

Mike Walker, Project Director of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, said the deal was an important
milestone for ocean conservation, but urged countries to go further.

“For the first time, countries have put aside their differences to protect a large area of the
Southern Ocean and international waters,” Walker said. “The limited 35-y ear restriction for
protection of the Ross Sea contradicts the scientific advice that marine protection should be
long-term. Nevertheless, we are confident that the significant benefits of protecting the Southern
Ocean will soon be clear and the international community will act to safeguard this special place
long into the future.”

The Ross Sea is one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, home to penguins,
Weddell seals, Antarctic toothfish, and a unique type of killer whale. The region is critical for
scientific research, for studying how marine ecosystems function and understanding the impacts
of climate change on the ocean. Millions of people around the world have joined the global call
for large-scale marine protection in Antarctica.

“This is a victory for the whales, toothfish, and penguins that live in the Ross Sea, as well as for
the millions of people who supported this effort,” said John Hocevar, a marine biologist with
Greenpeace. “We urge the international community to take notice and designate additional,
permanent protections in other areas of the Antarctic Ocean and around the world.”

“This would not have been possible without Russia joining with other countries to achieve
today’s historic decision to protect the Ross Sea. The governments of the United States and
New Zealand should also be commended for their tireless work these past six years,” added
Kavanagh.

Two additional proposals for marine protected areas in East Antarctic waters and the Weddell
Sea are still being discussed. The Antarctic Ocean Alliance is advocating to ensure that these
proposals are based on the best available science.

“Although there was not a decision on the proposed protection of the Weddell Sea and the East
Antarctic this year, we are confident that these areas will be protected in the coming years,
adding to the system of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean,” said Walker.

Today’s decision follows years of hard work by governments and the member groups of the
Antarctic Ocean Alliance . Working in coalition, these groups and individuals are campaigning to
create a large system of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. The Alliance has
proposed areas covering approximately 40 percent of the Southern Ocean for lasting protection.

Download …

Oct_2016_-_CCAMLR_MPAs_maps_2.pdf
Antarctic Ocean Alliance Communications Director Elsa Evers