A recent study has raised alarms about unprecedented climate change impacts in Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. The report, titled "Protecting a Changing Southern Ocean," published by the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), highlights record temperatures, increased marine heatwaves, and accelerated sea ice melt.
The report coincides with the 43rd annual meeting of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, Australia, and the upcoming COP16 biodiversity conference in Colombia. ASOC is urging CCAMLR to implement urgent measures to enhance the resilience of the Antarctic Ocean.
Among the proposals are the establishment of four new marine protected areas (MPAs): the Domain 1 MPA in the Antarctic Peninsula, Phase 1 and Phase 2 MPAs in the Weddell Sea, and an Eastern Antarctic MPA. The coalition emphasizes that despite an agreement in 2009 to create a representative system of MPAs in the Antarctic Ocean, only two have been established, with stagnation in progress in recent years.
In 2016, a consensus was reached to create the world's largest marine protected area in the Ross Sea region, but no new MPAs have been designated since then. However, some progress was made in July regarding the Domain 1 MPA during discussions at a CCAMLR symposium.
The report indicates that the proposed Domain 1 MPA is experiencing disproportionate impacts from climate change, tourism, and fishing, particularly krill, a crucial species in the Antarctic ecosystem. The concentration of krill in the Antarctic Peninsula is leading to localized depletion, negatively affecting predators like penguins.
The establishment of new MPAs could protect 26% of the Southern Ocean and nearly 3% of the world's oceans. ASOC urges CCAMLR to advance these initiatives during the upcoming annual meeting in Australia.
Claire Christian, ASOC’s executive director, stated that the recent symposium demonstrated the feasibility of advancing discussions on MPAs and fisheries management. She emphasized the need for continued cooperation to designate the Domain 1 MPA and improve krill fishery management.
Andrea Kavanagh, director of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Conservation for the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, called for decisive action to create a network of MPAs to enhance resilience in this climate-vulnerable region.
Emily Grilly, director of Ocean Conservation at WWF-Australia, noted that establishing an MPA in the Antarctic Peninsula would protect critical feeding areas for wildlife and ensure that essential services provided by krill remain intact. Jehki Härkönen from Greenpeace International urged CCAMLR member governments to align with global commitments to protect the ocean in light of rapid changes in Antarctica.