In a significant international conference focused on the Antarctic marine environment, attempts to establish new conservation areas have encountered an impasse, despite a backdrop of mounting crises in the region. These crises include historically low levels of sea ice, a dramatic decline in wildlife populations, and the emergence of bird flu.
Proposals to create nearly 4 million square kilometers of marine protected areas faced opposition, primarily from the Russian government delegation, which arrived late due to visa-related delays and repeatedly delayed discussions. This resulted in an inability to secure significant consensus on the issue, prompting the postponement of debate on the creation of protected areas near the western Antarctic peninsula, in the Weddell Sea, and in east Antarctica until the following year.
The commission overseeing this matter, known as Ccamlr, established by an international treaty, has struggled to reach agreements, with notable success in 2016 when it created the world’s largest marine park in the Ross Sea. Only 5% of the Southern Ocean, which constitutes roughly 10% of the global ocean, is currently protected.
Despite mounting challenges, including the alarming decline in emperor penguin populations, sea ice levels, and the arrival of bird flu, the Russian delegation’s opposition has resulted in a lack of progress.
While conservationists and scientists advocated the creation of marine protected areas to safeguard critical foraging and breeding sites for penguins, seals, whales, and toothfish, as well as to meet the global objective of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030, there was no significant progress in this regard.
With krill, a vital component of the Antarctic ecosystem, experiencing a fourfold increase in catch over the past 15 years, concerns over sustainability and potential consequences for Antarctic wildlife were raised. Krill plays a crucial role in the diet of nearly all Antarctic animal species and is a significant source of protein and feed for fish farms globally.
The international community’s inability to establish marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean poses significant challenges as the region grapples with a range of environmental crises. While key conservation measures have not been rolled back, many believe more ambitious decisions are needed to address the urgent environmental concerns faced by Antarctica.
