Two proposals for MPAs in East Antarctica and the Ross Sea have been prepared and put up for adoption since 2012. However, discussions over the past several years have not yet resulted in the adoption of these MPAs by CCAMLR. Some individual members have repeatedly denied consensus to CCAMLR on the adoption of those proposals because of fishing and other interests. In the process, the proposals on the table have been weakened significantly. MPA proposals for other domains are in various stages of development.
As one of the main users of the Southern Ocean (for shipping, cruising, whale watching, landings in coastal sites, etc.) the tourism industry is a key stakeholder in the region. Furthermore, as an industry, tourism depends on the quality of the environment and the wilderness of Antarctica to conduct its activities.
Although not a formal actor in CCAMLR, the tourism industry, represented by IAATO, is very active as an observer and an expert body in other Antarctic fora, with a membership that overlaps with that of CCAMLR in terms of individual countries, institutions, and even delegates.
A statement of support by the tourism industry to adopt the MPAs would add to the pressure on decision-making bodies, such as CCAMLR, to agree on implementation of invaluable MPAs. It would also give the Antarctic tourism industry an opportunity to further walk the talk concerning environmental protection in Antarctica.
The opinion of Antarctic tourism industry representatives would certainly be noted by decision makers and is a priority of this initiative. However, there are also opportunities for individuals involved in polar tourism – such as staff members and tourists – to make their own contribution. This could be for instance by encouraging decision makers in their own countries to continue negotiations and adopt meaningful MPAs – that is, MPAs that afford significant protection to marine environments and ecosystems for the foreseeable future.
Are there plans to further improve your example of tourism supporting conservation in the future?
This initiative follows a two-stage process: first the Antarctic tourism industry needs to explicitly support the adoption of one or more CCAMLR MPAs in the Southern Ocean. Then, CCAMLR needs to adopt one or more of several MPA proposals being discussed or in preparation, ideally starting at its next annual meeting in October 2016, and proceeding until a representative network of MPAs covers the Southern Ocean.
If this initiative is taken, there will be opportunities for further engagement of the tourism industry and tourists themselves in the management of MPAs. These opportunities would include financial and practical contributions to research and monitoring, including monitoring illegal fishing activities.
How could your example be transferred to another protected area and how could your experience be shared with others?
This initiative relates to the unique characteristics of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, specifically the region’s legal and governance regime as well as the type of tourism it attracts. However its basic elements could be transferred to other locations where tourism takes place in marine and coastal environments.
In particular, this initiative could be replicated where the tourism industry may be willing and able to contribute proactively to marine protection, especially in relatively pristine areas. The experience of CCAMLR MPAs could be shared in a number of ways with decision makers in other governance bodies, the tourism industry, and tourists/the public at large.
This Antarctic MPA Initiative is authorized and coordinated by Dr. Ricardo Roura. For more information contact him at [email protected] and explore the CCAMLR website at https://www.ccamlr.org/en/science/marine-protected-areas-mpas.
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