ASOC
Marine Protected Areas
Securing vital protection for the Southern Ocean has never been more urgent. Join us as we work to support flourishing Antarctic ecosystems into the future.
What is an MPA?
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Like national parks on land, marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean where some activities, such as fishing, are limited. Marine protected areas are generally established in areas recognized as biodiversity hotspots, or regions vulnerable to changing conditions or increased human pressures.
By creating large zones where certain activities are restricted or prevented, MPAs can reduce stress on the ocean and its ecosystems, helping them build resilience to climate change.
How do MPAs work?
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Marine protected areas support resilient oceans by reducing human impacts, allowing vulnerable ecosystems to adapt to their changing environment.
Preserve biodiversity by protecting the full range of habitats and species in an ecosystem.
Provide refuges for vulnerable species whose habitat may be changing dramatically due to the climate crisis.
Protect migratory pathways, allowing species to adapt, evolve or change their range as habitats shift.
Create natural laboratories where researchers can study the effects of a warming, more acidic ocean on ecosystems, independent of impacts from fisheries and other human activities.
What’s happening?
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
The Southern Ocean covers around 10% of the global ocean, and is home to nearly 10,000 unique polar species.
Currently, only 5% of the Southern Ocean is fully protected.
The Southern Ocean is changing rapidly. Some areas are becoming warmer and more acidic due to changes in the atmosphere caused by human industry. In addition to the changing climate, increasing human activity in the Southern Ocean is impacting ecosystems directly.
Now is the time
Marine Protected Areas
The evidence is clear. Marine protected areas are scientifically proven to be the most effective way to limit the damaging impacts of human activities and support a vibrant, healthy ocean.
ASOC strongly believes that CCAMLR, the international body charged with designating MPAs, has failed to act decisively for too long.
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
The challenge ahead
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence to support the establishment of new Antarctic marine protected areas, progress has been slow.
Who can declare an Antarctic MPA?
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is responsible for designating and regulating MPAs in the Southern Ocean. Its Members include 25 states and the European Union, which meet annually in Hobart, Australia.
CCAMLR’s commitment
CCAMLR has been working towards creating a representative system of MPAs around Antarctica since 2002. In 2009, all Members made a formal agreement to realize this network by 2012.
Where are we now?
Since 2016, CCAMLR Members have been unable to reach consensus on any new marine protected areas.
What needs to happen?
ASOC continues to advocate strongly for a representative network of MPAs in the Southern Ocean, starting with existing proposals in East Antarctica, the Weddell Sea, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
What ASOC is doing
Together with our partners and supporters, we continue to call on CCAMLR to fulfill their commitment and establish a network of representative marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
We represent the Antarctic conservation community at the highest levels of Antarctic governance, working within the system to advocate for marine protection in the following ways.
Protection
ASOC strongly supports the establishment of a representative network of marine protected areas across the Southern Ocean.
Read more
Protection
ASOC strongly supports the establishment of a representative network of marine protected areas across the Southern Ocean.
Designated MPAs are the most effective way to protect ocean ecosystems.
They protect biodiversity, while mitigating the impacts of a changing climate and providing reference areas for scientific research.
Protecting large areas from fishing and pollution will provide refuges for vulnerable species whose habitat may be changing dramatically.
Advocacy
As the only official environmental NGO observer to Antarctic governance meetings, ASOC advocates for science-based policies within the existing Antarctic governance framework.
Read more
Advocacy
As the only official environmental NGO observer to Antarctic governance meetings, ASOC advocates for science-based policies within the existing Antarctic governance framework.
Our primary focus is on building Antarctic ecosystem resilience in the face of the climate crisis. We advocate for policies that reduce the stress on Antarctic ecosystems from human activities such as fishing, tourism, and scientific research. We strongly support the establishment of representative marine protected areas, and deep cuts to global carbon emissions, which represent the greatest threat to the integrity of Antarctica today.
Science
ASOC acknowledges and supports the world-class climate research conducted by Antarctic researchers.
Read more
ASOC acknowledges and supports the world-class climate research conducted by Antarctic researchers.
We present timely, science-based policy proposals at meetings of Antarctic governance organizations, providing Treaty parties with reliable information on how to protect the Antarctic environment. We also share this information with the broader public, promoting actions that will secure a climate-safe future.
Photo credit: NASA ICE
“The global coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that we need to change our behavior and work to protect nature instead of exploiting it. ASOC calls on CCAMLR to demonstrate leadership and fulfill their commitment to meaningful protection of the Southern Ocean.”
Claire Christian
Executive Director, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
What you can do
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Now is the time to call on CCAMLR to make good on its commitment. Join us as we help secure a resilient future for Antarctica and the global ocean today.
