ASOC
Protecting a Changing Southern Ocean
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ASOC’s new report calls on the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to take urgent action to protect the Southern Ocean and lead the way towards meeting the international commitment to protect 30% of the global ocean by 2030 (30×30).
Today, just 8.35% of the global ocean is protected; there is a long way to go to reach 30% by 2030. The 30×30 target will not be achieved without the rapid expansion of MPAs in the high seas, including in the Southern Ocean (which constitutes about 10% of the global ocean).
CCAMLR Members have proposed four scientifically robust MPAs: Weddell Sea Phase 1 MPA, East Antarctic MPA, Domain 1 (Antarctic Peninsula) MPA, and Weddell Sea Phase 2 MPA. If all four MPA proposals are agreed, it will protect 26% of the Southern Ocean and nearly 3% of the global ocean. This would be the largest act of ocean conservation in history and make a major contribution towards 30×30.
The report highlights the effects of human-induced climate change which has resulted in perturbations across the planet, with ice-dominated regions such as Antarctica displaying some of the most rapid responses.
Extreme events are on the rise. Temperature anomalies unseen anywhere else on Earth are now happening in Antarctica, marine heatwaves are occurring more frequently, and a step change in sea ice loss may now be the new regime, with corresponding implications for dependent biota.
Critically, the report flags the important role of nations that are both Members of CCAMLR and have nationally determined MPAs in the Southern Ocean. The shifting environmental conditions and growing human activity require existing protections to be regularly revised and strengthened.
It is clear that CCAMLR must urgently carry out work to complete the system of MPAs that would protect each of the unique bioregions that surround Antarctica. Developing and delivering an MPA in Domain 9 would further the system of MPAs and safeguard a unique region for future generations.
Key recommendations from the report:
1: Implement the 4 MPA proposals
There remain four MPA proposals yet to be adopted by CCAMLR. The Antarctic Peninsula (Domain 1), Weddell Sea Phase 1 and East Antarctic MPA proposals have been on the table for several years and are supported by high-quality science. The gaps in CCAMLR’s MPA domain planning means a representative system of MPAs is far from completion, leaving entire ecosystems unprotected. Rapid designation of the proposed MPAs is critical.
Recommendation I of the report urges CCAMLR to act under the precautionary principle, and to follow the advice provided by SC-CAMLR based on the best available science, by implementing the proposed MPAs across all its planning domains. The MPA proposals that have been endorsed by SC-CAMLR contain far more information than is currently required for the evaluation of fishing activities.
2: Develop and implement Domain 9 MPA
It is imperative that CCAMLR acts with precaution and begins the formal process of designating an MPA in Domain 9. The noticeable lack of a formal MPA proposal in this domain leaves CCAMLR’s promise to establish a system of MPAs unfulfilled and lacking representative protection of Southern Ocean bioregions and the biodiversity they contain.
This MPA would protect productive polynyas and the numerous VMEs, including cold-water corals, seamounts, and hydrothermal vents, that are known to exist.
3: CCAMLR Members with nationally determined MPAs in the Southern Ocean should review them to account for a changing climate
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3: CCAMLR Members with nationally determined MPAs in the Southern Ocean should review them to account for a changing climate
Given the rapid environmental changes in the region, ASOC recommends that all nationally determined MPAs within the Southern Ocean undergo review to strengthen marine protection in response to shifting conditions. The recent enhancements to Southern Ocean MPAs made by France, Australia, and the Government of SGSSI is encouraging and serves as a model to others to follow suit in safeguarding the Southern Ocean.
Specifically, ASOC urges:
- The Australian Government to significantly expand the marine reserve boundaries within the Heard and McDonald Islands EEZ, and ensure that any activity within the marine reserve is extremely limited and aligns with IUCN Categories 1 and 2 requirements.
- The Norwegian Government to immediately expand the reserve around Bouvet Island to 200 nm and in doing so create an IUCN Category 1 MPA to protect key oceanographic features and the local ecosystem.
- The South African Government to review the Prince Edward Islands MPA and implement enhanced conservation measures. In its current design only 5.5% of the EEZ prohibits all human activity, with key sites such as seamounts falling outside of highly protected areas.
- The French Government to revisit its marine spatial planning for Crozet Islands, which remains largely open to human activities such as fishing, to help France reach its commitment to conserve 30% of its marine environment through protected areas by 2030.
- The SGSSI Government to continue the formal MPA review every five years, or more frequently if data is suggesting urgent action is needed.
Learn More
Click on the links below to read the
2 page, 4 page and 6 page executive summaries.
