WWF Statement on CCAMLR: Giving up is not an option
Posted on October, 31 2014
Meetings of The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, Australia concluded today
Meetings of The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, Australia concluded today. At the meeting there was resistance by some countries to proposals for marine protected areas of 1.32 million km2 in the Ross Sea and 1.2 million km2 in East Antarctic waters.
Bob Zuur, manager of WWF's Antarctic program, said that WWF would continue to fight for the protection of Antarctica despite the frustrations and setbacks, and issued the following statement:
"East Antarctica and the Ross Sea are two of the Earth's special places,largely untouched by humans. They form critical habitat for global populations of large whales and are home to albatross, penguins and seals.
"Conservation lies at the heart of the Convention, and I call on Commission Members to recognise the importance of conservation.
Bob Zuur, manager of WWF's Antarctic program, said that WWF would continue to fight for the protection of Antarctica despite the frustrations and setbacks, and issued the following statement:
"East Antarctica and the Ross Sea are two of the Earth's special places,largely untouched by humans. They form critical habitat for global populations of large whales and are home to albatross, penguins and seals.
"Conservation lies at the heart of the Convention, and I call on Commission Members to recognise the importance of conservation.
"Getting 25 members to reach agreement is very challenging. But giving up is not an option. We can't and we won't give up on these fragile and magical parts of the planet.
"We hope that all Members will work in the spirit of cooperation that defines the Antarctic Treaty System to comprehensively protect some of the world's most pristine environments," he said.
Zuur said it was not all bad news with agreement to conserve krill which are the life blood of the Southern Ocean. "During their breeding seasons Emperor and Adelie penguins are restricted in where they can find food.
"We hope that all Members will work in the spirit of cooperation that defines the Antarctic Treaty System to comprehensively protect some of the world's most pristine environments," he said.
Zuur said it was not all bad news with agreement to conserve krill which are the life blood of the Southern Ocean. "During their breeding seasons Emperor and Adelie penguins are restricted in where they can find food.
CCAMLR agreed to extend limits to the krill catch to reduce the risks of depleting krill," Zuur said.
Further information: Mark Symons, WWF-Australia, MSymons@wwf.
More than 200,000 Antarctic blue whales used to live in the Southern Ocean – but 20th Century whaling decimated this population and latest estimates put this population at just around 2,300 animals.
© naturepl.com/Mark Brownlow/WWF
More than 200,000 Antarctic blue whales used to live in the Southern Ocean – but 20th Century whaling decimated this population and latest estimates put this population at just around 2,300 animals.
© naturepl.com/Mark Brownlow/WWF
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