Establishment of the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 1 (2006) in which the Consultative Parties, conscious that the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is an integral part of the Antarctic Treaty system, encouraged increased cooperation at the practical level between the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”);
Recognising the contributions of the ATCM in the designation and implementation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas, and of CCAMLR in the designation and implementation of marine protected areas to conserve important areas of the Antarctic marine environment;
Noting the agreement reached at the 35th meeting of CCAMLR to establish the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (“RSRMPA”), commencing on 1 December 2017;
Recalling freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica as enshrined in Article II of the Antarctic Treaty and recognising the importance of scientific research and monitoring to support and evaluate progress in achieving the objectives of the RSRMPA, as well as international collaboration in such research and monitoring;
Noting that CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05 provides for the regular review of the RSRMPA;
Noting the importance of collaboration between the ATCM and CCAMLR;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. welcome the establishment of the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (“RSRMPA”) as an important contribution towards the conservation of Southern Ocean ecosystems and biodiversity;
2. encourage Antarctic Treaty Parties that are not Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”) to familiarise themselves with CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05, including the Management Plan and the forthcoming Research and Monitoring Plan for the RSRMPA, and to encourage, as appropriate, compliance with relevant RSRMPA management measures;
3. invite the Committee on Environmental Protection to consider any appropriate actions within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting’s competence to contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives set forth in CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05, particularly in the designation and implementation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas in the Ross Sea region and the management of relevant human activities; and
4. identify opportunities to conduct and support relevant research and monitoring activities that support the objectives and the forthcoming Research and Monitoring Plan of the RSRMPA, in particular through international collaborations.
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 1 (2006) in which the Consultative Parties, conscious that the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is an integral part of the Antarctic Treaty system, encouraged increased cooperation at the practical level between the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”);
Recognising the contributions of the ATCM in the designation and implementation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas, and of CCAMLR in the designation and implementation of marine protected areas to conserve important areas of the Antarctic marine environment;
Noting the agreement reached at the 35th meeting of CCAMLR to establish the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (“RSRMPA”), commencing on 1 December 2017;
Recalling freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica as enshrined in Article II of the Antarctic Treaty and recognising the importance of scientific research and monitoring to support and evaluate progress in achieving the objectives of the RSRMPA, as well as international collaboration in such research and monitoring;
Noting that CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05 provides for the regular review of the RSRMPA;
Noting the importance of collaboration between the ATCM and CCAMLR;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. welcome the establishment of the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (“RSRMPA”) as an important contribution towards the conservation of Southern Ocean ecosystems and biodiversity;
2. encourage Antarctic Treaty Parties that are not Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”) to familiarise themselves with CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05, including the Management Plan and the forthcoming Research and Monitoring Plan for the RSRMPA, and to encourage, as appropriate, compliance with relevant RSRMPA management measures;
3. invite the Committee on Environmental Protection to consider any appropriate actions within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting’s competence to contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives set forth in CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05, particularly in the designation and implementation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas in the Ross Sea region and the management of relevant human activities; and
4. identify opportunities to conduct and support relevant research and monitoring activities that support the objectives and the forthcoming Research and Monitoring Plan of the RSRMPA, in particular through international collaborations.
