Asia & the Pacific, Editor’s Pick



A proposal to create a marine protection area in Antarctica’s Ross Sea has been defeated for the fifth time.

Antarctica, the 7th continent, is one of the most inhospitable places on the globe - unless you're a penguin

Antarctica, the 7th continent, is one of the most inhospitable places on the globe – unless you’re a penguin Image by Christopher Michel / CC BY 2.0

In late October, delegates from 25 nations convened in Hobart, Australia to discuss the creation of the massive 1.5-million-sq-km protection area. The proposal, jointly sponsored by the United States and New Zealand, secured China’s support for the first time. However, Russia blocked the proposal, citing concerns about the impact on the commercial fishing industry.

The proposed protection area covers a pristine ocean environment containing distinctive deep water flora and fauna. It is an important feeding area for marine mammals and sea birds including iconic Antarctic species such as the Adélie penguin, Emperor penguin, Antarctic minke whale, Weddell seal and the Crabeater seal.

The meetings in Hobart mark the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) fifth attempt to protect the area. However, as a consensus organisation, the agreement of every member is required to establish a marine protection area.