Marine protected areas

There are currently no restrictions on the dumping of gray water in the Southern Ocean. 

In addition to the establishment of marine protected areas, ASOC supports a ban on the discharge of untreated black water (sewage) and gray water (bath, shower, laundry and galley water).

Find out more about the discharge of sewage and gray water from vessels in Antarctic Treaty waters: download this ASOC information paper presented to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. 

Download our Gray Water Infographics.

In addition to the establishment of marine protected areas, ASOC supports a ban on the discharge of untreated gray water, which often contains microplastics harmful to marine ecosystems.

Download our Plastic Pollution infographic.

Download our Microplastics from Marine Paints infographic.

These silent killers include fishing nets, lines and hooks, and fish traps, which continue to “fish”, and which wildlife can become entangled in, often leading to a slow, painful death. 

In the Southern Ocean, nearly 850 miles (1363 kilometers) of long line was abandoned, lost or discarded in only two fishing seasons. Fishing line takes around 600 years to break down. When it finally does, it disintegrates into harmful microplastics, which can be ingested by fish and crustaceans, and eventually humans.   

In addition to the establishment of marine protected areas, ASOC advocates for mandatory regulations that require fishing vessels to mark or label their fishing gear, and require fishing crews to report losses of fishing gear along with any encounters with ghost fishing gear.

Download our Ghost Gear Infographics.

Image credit: NOAA

Biofouling happens when organisms, such as algae or barnacles, attach to the submerged parts of a vessel, like the hull or propellers. 

As more ships travel to Antarctica, there is an increased risk that introduced species will become established and threaten delicate marine ecosystems.

In 2020, researchers identified 14 non-native species around the Antarctic Peninsula, and 13 more at high risk of invading the region. 

In addition to the establishment of marine protected areas, ASOC supports measures to prevent the introduction of non-native species via fouling on vessel hulls.

CCAMLR is charged with taking a precautionary approach to the conservation of the Southern Ocean. They are responsible for developing scientific advice, reviewing compliance with its regulations, and making conservation decisions relating to the Southern Ocean. 

MPA proposals are put forward by Member countries, informed by the best available science and developed by the Scientific Committee. 

Once there is consensus that the proposal is based on the best available science, it is presented to the Commission where all members must unanimously agree to establish the MPA.

Learn more about CCAMLR.

Despite the efforts of many Members, CCAMLR’s own deadline has long since passed.

To date only two marine protected areas, covering 5% of the Southern Ocean, have been established. The South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA, proposed by the United Kingdom in 2009, was the first international MPA to be established on the high seas. The Ross Sea Region MPA, initially proposed by the United States and New Zealand in 2012, came into force on 1 December, 2017, and is the world’s largest marine protected area.

Visit the CCAMLR MPA Information Repository. 

A minority of Member countries are undermining CCAMLR’s ability to do this important conservation work, raising questions about the organization’s effectiveness. 

However, the majority of Member countries have expressed their strong support for the future designation of MPAs, and a commitment to continuing to work for these protections.

Three proposed MPAs have been presented to the CCAMLR membership since 2016, and will continue to be revisited and reviewed at annual CCAMLR meetings.

They are the Antarctic Peninsula MPA, Weddell Sea MPA, and East Antarctic MPA.

‘Representative’ means that significant portions of all habitats, ecosystems, and species are included, representing an entire, functional ecosystem. 

This network should eventually cover at least 30% of the ocean, and be implemented with significant no-take areas and no limits to their duration.