The Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) has failed to create long-promised ocean sanctuaries at their annual meeting in Hobart, Australia. Despite this, it was able to recognise a handful of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems.
The Commission failed to reach consensus on creating three large Marine Protected Areas for the Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea, despite support from an overwhelming majority of governments. Unfortunately, this also left the world’s largest known fish breeding colony, which is home to an estimated 60 million icefish nests, without protection.
However, the Commission did recognise eight new Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) – unique Antarctic seabed ecosystems with high biological diversity, which are now protected from fishing. The new VMEs include seven that were documented during submarine dives from Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, and cover approximately 70km2 in total.
Antarctic Ocean Commission fails to deliver ocean sanctuaries - Oceanographic
The Commission failed to reach consensus on creating three large Marine Protected Areas for the Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea, despite support from an overwhelming majority of governments. Unfortunately, this also left the world’s largest known fish breeding colony, which is home to an estimated 60 million icefish nests, without protection.
However, the Commission did recognise eight new Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) – unique Antarctic seabed ecosystems with high biological diversity, which are now protected from fishing. The new VMEs include seven that were documented during submarine dives from Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, and cover approximately 70km2 in total.
Antarctic Ocean Commission fails to deliver ocean sanctuaries - Oceanographic