The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is gathering for their 38th meeting, beginning from October 21, 2019. In this meeting, they will be deliberating over the proposal to establish an East Antarctic marine park. This has been a contentious issue, with China and Russia being notable opponents due to their fishing interests in the region. The origins of this proposal date back to 2010, when it was introduced by Australia, France and the European Union and later scaled down in 2017. The availability of food resources for marine life like emperor penguins, seals, whales and seabirds could potentially be safeguarded by this proposed park.
Australia, France and the EU’s Proposal
The originally proposed East Antarctic marine park covers an extensive area of almost a million square kilometers. The idea is that this marine park would serve as a protective zone for crucial feeding areas. If established, it could help secure essential food sources for numerous sea species, including penguins, seals, whales and various seabirds.
Threat to Oceanic Biodiversity
A significant threat that this region currently faces is rampant sailing. This activity is causing considerable damage to the population of local marine life, endangering species such as seals, whales, and fish. On top of this, the ongoing impacts of climate change are also becoming increasingly pervasive. The ocean is undergoing rapid warming, acidifying at an alarming rate, and ice shelves are thinning and collapsing.
Establishment Requires Unanimous Approval
For the creation of the East Antarctic marine park to happen, the consent of all the 26 members of the CCAMLR is necessary. This commission has set precedents in the past, having established other major ocean Antarctic sanctuaries. Notably, the largest of these encompasses an area of 1.55 million square kilometers in the Ross Sea.
| Sanctuary | Size |
|---|---|
| Ross Sea | 1.55 million sq km |
| Proposed East Antarctic marine park | 1 million sq km |
CCAMLR: Guardian of Antarctic Marine Life
The CCAMLR came into existence by an international convention in 1982, with the express purpose to conserve Antarctic marine life. This move was largely prompted by the increasing commercial involvement in Antarctic krill resources. Krill are a vital component of the Antarctic ecosystem, and their over-exploitation alongside several other marine resources too, led to the formation of the commission. The secretariat of CCAMLR is situated in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.