The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has been advocating for the creation of a representative system of MPAs in the Southern Ocean for over a decade. ASOC is comprised of organizations and environmental experts from all over the world who are committed to the preservation of Antarctica as the world’s last great wilderness. ASOC represents this global network at Antarctic governance meetings. The organization with the authority to make decisions on the conservation of the Southern Ocean, and therefore on the designation of Antarctic MPAs, is the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Unlike regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), CCAMLR is a conservation organization, and the ability to close areas to fishing for conservation purposes is included in its founding agreement, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. CCAMLR committed to designating a system of MPAs in 2009, and has designated two MPAs since then – the South Orkneys southern shelf MPA and the Ross Sea Region MPA. These are the world’s first high seas MPAs, and they are a powerful example of international cooperation. Still, CCAMLR committed to a representative system, and current scientific analysis indicates that more MPAs must be designated, not only to achieve the 30% target in the Antarctic, but to protect the full range of Antarctic biodiversity and habitat types.
The urgency of doing so is clear. The Antarctic region and its species are known to be extremely sensitive to climate change, with some penguin species already experiencing declines in the Antarctic Peninsula due to warming temperatures. At the same time, human activities such as fishing, tourism, and scientific research are increasing, expanding the human footprint in ecosystems vulnerable to disturbance. Although activities in the Antarctic are not the primary drivers of global climate change, they can exacerbate stress associated with warming temperatures. With a growing scientific consensus that protected areas are an effective response to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is clear that CCAMLR must act now to safeguard Antarctica’s future.
Fortunately, many CCAMLR Member states have invested considerable resources in bringing together a wealth of scientific data to develop proposals for additional MPAs, including in the Ross Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and East Antarctica. These areas are rich in wildlife, including colossal squid, penguins and even cold-water corals. Protecting them would significantly advance the objectives of preserving biodiversity and building ecosystem resilience in a changing climate, while also establishing valuable scientific reference or control areas to compare with fished areas. They would also restrict fishing activities, which has proved controversial with some CCAMLR countries. Thus, these MPAs have yet to be designated despite their firm scientific basis.
Even so, momentum towards their designation continues to grow. Most recently, the G7 released a communiqué stating clear support for the designation of MPAs in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Even with the backing of these powerful nations, designating Antarctic MPAs will require consensus from the 26 Member states (25 countries and the EU) of CCAMLR. Still, CCAMLR has achieved consensus on MPAs before and can do so again if all Members negotiate in good faith.
The designation of three new Antarctic MPAs would represent a powerful response to the global biodiversity and climate crises. Even as calls to address these emergencies have grown, world leaders still seem hesitant to take the ambitious steps that we need to reverse or even simply slow down the threats to planetary systems. CCAMLR has historically been a leader in international conservation cooperation, including by designating the world’s first high seas MPAs. Now, it has an opportunity to once again demonstrate that countries can work together to address environmental challenges. ASOC calls on CCAMLR to make 2021 a watershed year for Antarctica and the planet by proving that decisive action on marine protection is possible.
About the Author
Claire Christian is the Executive Director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. She has worked for ASOC since 2009 and has substantial expertise on the full range of issues relevant to the Antarctic environment. Her aim is to educate and inspire people around the world to protect the Antarctic continent and its surrounding ocean, which are some of the world’s last great wilderness areas. She coordinates policy and strategy related to many issues that impact the Antarctic environment including tourism, fisheries, marine protected areas and climate change. As part of this work, she has developed relationships with Antarctic stakeholders, including government officials, scientists, and industry. Claire leads ASOC’s delegations to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) and meetings of the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). She has authored blogs, opinion pieces, and academic articles, and has been interviewed by a wide variety of international publications and media outlets. Claire has a special fondness for Antarctica’s fascinating but little-known invertebrate species, and aspires to make them as famous and beloved as penguins. She has an M.A. in International Affairs from the American University School of International Service.
