World's biggest marine reserve to be built off Antarctica
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SYDNEYOct 31, 2016 - 12:00 am GMT+3
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Oct 31, 2016 12:00 am
The world's largest marine reserve aimed at protecting the pristine wilderness of Antarctica will be created after a "momentous" agreement was finally reached.
The deal, sealed by the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at an annual meeting in Hobart after years of negotiations, will see a massive US and New Zealand-backed marine protected area established in the Ross Sea.
It will cover more than 1.55 million square kilometers (600,000 square miles) - roughly the size of Britain, Germany and France combined - of which 1.12 million square kilometers will be a no fishing zone. "
The Ross Sea is one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, home to penguins, seals, Antarctic toothfish, whales and huge numbers of krill, a staple food for many species.
It is considered critical for scientists to study how marine ecosystems function and to understand the impacts of climate change on the ocean. Moscow was the last government opposing the move, largely due to concerns over fishing rights, after China offered its support last year.
"This decision is very important not just for the Antarctic but for efforts to promote world marine conservation," Evan Bloom, head of the US delegation told AFP.
While the Ross Sea plan got the go-ahead, time ran out at the meeting to reach agreement on a second proposed protected area - the Australia and France-led East Antarctica sanctuary covering another one million square kilometre zone. Both reserve proposals have been on the table since 2012 with CCAMLR - a treaty tasked with overseeing conservation and sustainable exploitation of the Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean.
Consensus is needed from all 24 member countries and the European Union. "For the first time, countries have put aside their differences to protect a large area of the Southern Ocean and international waters," said Mike Walker, project director of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, calling the outcome "momentous."
The Ross Sea is named after British explorer Sir James Ross and his great, great, great granddaughter Phillipa Ross said the family was thrilled it was safeguarded. "The Ross family are euphoric that our family legacy has been honored in the 175th anniversary year since James first discovered the Ross Sea, thanks to the individuals and organisations who have poured their hearts and souls into campaigning for its protection," she said.
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