<
https://theconversation.com/can-next-weeks-special-meeting-in-chile-break-the-deadlock-over-east-antarcticas-marine-park-proposal-206531>
"Amid the challenges of climate change, resource extraction and pollution, the
survival of species and ecosystems depends on setting aside protected areas.
But plans to establish marine protected areas in East Antarctica have stalled.
Next week, the 27-member Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources will gather at a special meeting in Santiago, Chile, to try to
break the deadlock. There’s much at stake, given the seemingly implacable
opposition from China and Russia. China appears more concerned about fishing
for krill than conservation, while Russia’s objections are less clear.
The need for Antarctic marine protected areas was first discussed in response
to the 2002 United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development. The formal
plan was adopted three years later, in 2005. While China had not yet joined the
commission at that time, it was a member when the commission reaffirmed this
commitment in 2011.
These areas were meant to protect a representative suite of Antarctic marine
environments, such as unique seafloor communities, deepwater canyons, and
highly productive coastal and oceanic food webs. They were to be developed,
assessed and agreed on the basis of the best available science."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
