Australia’s Role in Antarctic Marine Protected Areas
Australia is actively involved in the promotion and development of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Antarctica. These MPAs aim to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the international community. Australia, along with other co-sponsors such as the European Union, India, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Uruguay, supports various MPA proposals in the East Antarctic, Weddell Sea, and Western Antarctic Peninsula regions. These proposals are currently under consideration by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
East Antarctic Marine Protected Area (EAMPA) Proposal
The East Antarctic Marine Protected Area (EAMPA) proposal was initially introduced by Australia and the European Union in 2012. It aims to establish a representative system of MPAs in the high latitudes of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. The proposed EAMPA would conserve biodiversity and protect important ecosystem roles, such as feeding areas for marine mammals and seabirds. It would also serve as a scientific reference zone for studying the effects of fishing and climate change on Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems.
Key Features of the EAMPA
- Comprehensiveness: The EAMPA encompasses various ecosystems to ensure the conservation of all biodiversity in the region.
- Adequacy: The size and location of the EAMPA are designed to sustain biodiversity and enable resilience and adaptation to climate change impacts.
- Representativeness: The EAMPA aims to represent and conserve all biodiversity within the MPA system.
Objectives of the EAMPA
The proposed EAMPA aims to protect representative areas of open ocean and seabed biodiversity in East Antarctica. It consists of three areas: MacRobertson, Drygalski, and D’Urville Sea-Mertz. These areas are home to diverse marine ecosystems and provide important foraging and breeding grounds for marine mammals, penguins, and seabirds. The EAMPA also serves as a scientific reference zone for monitoring long-term changes in Antarctic marine resources and ecosystems.
Scientific Reference Zones
The EAMPA proposal includes designated scientific reference zones for monitoring marine living resources, ecosystem processes, and climate change impacts. These zones allow for the study of natural variability and long-term conservation requirements in the region.
Multiple Use MPA
The EAMPA proposal allows for multiple uses within the MPA, including fishing activities. Zoning provisions are used to regulate different activities and ensure they do not adversely impact the MPA’s objectives. Existing conservation measures defined by CCAMLR guide the application of these provisions.
Additional Protection Measures
The EAMPA proposal extends the prohibition on exploratory fishing to include all areas landward of the outer 550 m bathymetric contour, protecting key continental shelf ecosystems. It also proposes a krill no-take zone in the D’Urville Sea-Mertz area to monitor environmental changes.
Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area Proposal
The Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (WSMPA) proposal was presented by the European Union and its Member States in 2016. It aims to protect an area of approximately 2.2 million square kilometers in the Weddell Sea. The WSMPA is significant due to its pristine ecosystems, diverse marine resources, and role in global ocean circulation and climate regulation. It provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on cold-adapted species.
Domain 1 Marine Protected Area Proposal
The Domain 1 Marine Protected Area (MPA) proposal, presented by Argentina and Chile in 2017, aims to protect approximately 670,000 square kilometers of habitats in the Western Antarctic Peninsula and South Scotia Arc regions. This proposal focuses on preserving ecosystem processes, vital areas for various marine species, and designated zones for scientific research and monitoring.
Progress and Consideration of MPA Proposals
The East Antarctic MPA and Weddell Sea MPA proposals have been under consideration by CCAMLR since 2012 and 2016, respectively. Australia continues to strongly support these proposals and collaborate with other CCAMLR Members to build consensus and make progress. The upcoming annual meeting of CCAMLR in Hobart in October presents an opportunity to advance these proposals further.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information. | The proposed East Antarctic Marine Protected Area (EAMPA) aims to protect representative areas of open ocean and seabed biodiversity in East Antarctica, contributing to the conservation of marine areas. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. | The multiple-use MPA proposal allows for activities such as fishing, which can contribute to the economic benefits of sustainable use of marine resources. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | The proposed East Antarctic MPA aims to conserve examples of biodiversity in the high latitudes of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, protecting habitats and preventing the extinction of threatened species. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. | The co-sponsorship of the East Antarctic and Weddell Sea MPA proposals by multiple countries demonstrates a global partnership for sustainable development in the conservation of marine areas. |
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Fuente: antarctica.gov.au
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