English: Locator map of the Southern Ocean. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The idea of creating extensive marine reserves in the Southern Ocean, around Antarctica, seems like a no-brainer.
The reserves would protect what is still the most pristine aquatic ecosystem in existence, and they would extend to the ocean some of the international protection that the continent enjoys: the recognition that the south polar region is a world treasure, off limits to the frenzy of resource extraction playing out across the rest of the planet.
In July, at the most recent meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in Bremerhaven, Germany, there was a nearly giddy sense of optimism that, after repeated failures, the proposal would finally pass. But it failed again, thanks largely to Russia and Ukraine, who raised unfounded legal objections. And while not completely caving in, fishing nations like China, Norway and Japan called for smaller reserves and a “sunset clause” that would allow for future exploitation and essentially render the whole idea of a permanent reserve meaningless.
All this has led the staunchest supporters of the original 875,000-square-mile proposal — chiefly the United States and New Zealand — to do exactly the wrong thing. Instead of going into the next month’s meeting in Hobart, Australia, with renewed determination, the two countries announced last week that they would agree to shrink the proposed reserves by 40 percent, in the belief that something is better than nothing.
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Antarctica
- Why The Gulfstream G550 Is Perfect For White Desert’s Luxury Antarctica Tourson October 17, 2021 at 3:30 pm
White Desert conducts adventurous expeditions to Antarctica between the months of November and January. The British outfit ...
- Antarctica's coldest winter on record doesn't disprove global warmingon October 17, 2021 at 2:03 pm
CTV News Science and Technology Specialist Dan Riskin explains why Antarctica's coldest winter on record doesn't invalidate the science behind global warming.
- Paula’s Picks Giveaway Contest – Antarctica with Hurtigrutenon October 15, 2021 at 10:49 am
Paula’s Picks Giveaway Contest with Hurtigruten gives you a chance to discover and learn about one of the most fascinating and far away places in the world… Antarctica! Enter today for ...
- Researchers travel to Antarctica to Study Katabatic Winds' impact on Antarctic Ice Sheeton October 15, 2021 at 9:26 am
Katabatic winds, also called drainage winds, carry high-density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity. Although katabatic flows are ubiquitous in alpine and polar regions ...
- Widespread collapse of West Antarctica's ice sheet is avoidable if we keep global warming below 2Con October 15, 2021 at 7:00 am
Rising seas are already making storm damage more costly, adding to the impact on about 700 million people who live in low-lying coastal areas at risk of flooding.
- Widespread collapse of West Antarctica’s ice sheet is avoidable if we keep global warming below 2℃on October 15, 2021 at 2:02 am
A new modelling approach improves projections of Antarctica’s future ice loss. It shows a low-emissions scenario would avoid the collapse of West Antarctica’s ice sheet and limit sea-level rise.
- Antarctica's Weddell Seal Count Is Lower Than Expectedon October 14, 2021 at 7:45 am
Researchers published the first-ever global population estimate of the iconic Antarctic seals in a September 2021 issue of Science Advances.
- This Porsche 356 on Skis Could Set a Land Speed Record in Antarcticaon October 13, 2021 at 10:55 am
Later this year, amateur rally driver Renee Brinkerhoff will race across her seventh and final continent by crossing 356 miles of Antarctica. While it's not a trip that can be made in just any vehicle ...
- Antarctica's last 6 months were the coldest on recordon October 9, 2021 at 9:30 am
In a year of extreme heat, Antarctica's last six months were the coldest on record. "For the polar darkness period, from April through September, the average temperature was -60.9 degrees Celsius (-77 ...
- AstraZeneca Covid vaccine arrives in Antarcticaon October 6, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Nine months after it was rolled out, the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has finally reached the Antarctic. It was flown in this week to immunise the 23 staff members who've been keeping the British Rothera ...
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Marine reserves
- Dobbins Air Reserve Base welcomes new commanderon October 17, 2021 at 3:33 pm
Dobbins Air Reserve Base officially welcomed its new commander over the weekend in a change of command ceremony ahead of Brig. Gen. Craig McPike's move into his new role as vice commander of the 22nd ...
- AF expands 5G to 7 Reserve Command installationson October 15, 2021 at 11:41 am
The addition of commercial cellular infrastructure will enable reservists and responders to work more efficiently at the edge.
- After oil spill, advocates call for new Calif. marine sanctuaryon October 15, 2021 at 9:32 am
Ocean conservation advocates are seizing on the recent oil spill off California's coast to pressure the Biden administration to finalize a new 10,000 square-mile marine sanctuary.
- Hunt Becomes 17th Navy Reserve Force Master Chiefon October 14, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Tracy L. Hunt relieved Master Chief Petty Officer (FMF/SW) Chris Kotz as Navy Reserve Force Master Chief during a ceremony at the Washington Navy ...
- A Merchant Marine cadet said she was assaulted at sea. Her account has Washington looking for answers.on October 14, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Five crew members have been suspended, and the government is reviewing sexual assault prevention measures that were overhauled five years ago.
- Attorney Dan Newlin Announces: Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, And Clay Walker Will Perform A Free Concert To Honor The United States Air Force Reserve.on October 14, 2021 at 6:03 am
Attorney Dan Newlin is proud to bring the largest FREE country music concert ever to Florida, starring singer & songwriter Toby Keith along with Trace Adkins, Clay Walker, and Eddie Montgomery. The ...
- Before stage and screen, Bea Arthur shined as a Marineon October 13, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Bea Arthur was best known for her acting roles in the 1966 Broadway musical "Mame;" the 1970s sitcoms "All In The Family" and "Maude;" the 1985-1992 sitcom "The ...
- Marine Corps Reserves hopes Toys for Tots picks back up after slow 2020on October 12, 2021 at 4:49 pm
The Marine Corps Reserves launched this year's Toys for Tots drive in Clifton Park on Tuesday. It may seem early, but they've got their work cut out for them as they come off one of their toughest ...
- New Marine Reserve Near Galapagos Islands to be Createdon October 7, 2021 at 8:32 am
The Ecuadoran government is looking to create a marine reserve near the Galapagos Islands to help protect threatened migratory species including whales and sharks. The concern stems from the large ...
- Ukraine joins EU project to create marine reserves in Antarcticaon September 30, 2021 at 1:41 am
(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Ukraine has co-initiated the creation of marine protected areas in Antarctica. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for European Integration ...
