Marine protection measure in Antarctica failed again

The designation of new marine protected areas in Antarctica called for by experts has failed.

Despite many supporters, the Antarctic Commission conference ends without a major breakthrough.

Hobart - The designation of new marine protected areas in Antarctica, urgently demanded by environmental experts, has failed again.

The 40th conference of the Antarctic Commission CCAMLR in Hobart, Australia ended on Friday after tough struggle without a breakthrough, announced the German Environmental Aid (DUH) and other climate protection organizations.

Specifically, the aim is to protect a four million square kilometer area in East Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula and the species-rich Weddell Sea.

It would be the greatest marine protection measure in history.

The federal government and many other states have been campaigning for the protected area for years.

China and Russia have successfully blocked the proposal so far.

The protected area could make an important contribution to achieving the global biodiversity goals.

"Despite the strong support of many CCAMLR members, a minority of countries have prevented the designation of the protected areas," said Claire Christian, executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC).

"We are very disappointed to have witnessed this missed opportunity again." The planet and the precious marine habitats of Antarctica could not afford another year of inactivity.

The new federal government must do a massive amount of work for the project in the coming year, demanded the DUH federal manager Sascha Müller-Kraenner.

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The Antarctic Weddell Sea alone is six times the size of Germany and the habitat and retreat area of ​​many species that have specialized in an icy habitat - such as hake, krill and emperor penguins.

Since 2016, applications have been made to designate it as a protected area on a regular basis.

The Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), which coordinates polar research in Germany, has compiled the scientific basis for this.

dpa