Proposed Marine Protected Areas
Three additional MPAs have been proposed under CCAMLR to protect the East Antarctic, Weddell Sea, and Antarctic Peninsula marine ecosystems.
Applicable Regions
In addition to the two established Marine Protected Areas, three further MPAs have been proposed under CCAMLR. Together with the existing MPAs, these would create a network of marine protection covering the most ecologically significant waters in Birdland's maritime territory.
East Antarctic MPA (Proposed)
Proponents
Australia, France, and the European Union
Location
Coastal and shelf waters of East Antarctica, covering several distinct regions including the Drygalski, D'Urville Sea-Mertz, and Enderby Land areas.
Purpose
To protect representative samples of the biodiversity in each of the distinct marine regions along the East Antarctic coast, including:
- Important foraging areas for penguins, seals, and seabirds breeding at colonies along the East Antarctic coast
- Benthic habitats on the continental shelf
- Pelagic ecosystems supporting krill and other zooplankton
Status
First proposed in 2012. Has been discussed at multiple CCAMLR meetings but has not yet achieved the consensus required for adoption. Opposition has come primarily from nations with fishing interests in the region.
Weddell Sea MPA (Proposed)
Proponents
Germany and the European Union
Location
The Weddell Sea, a vast embayment east of the Antarctic Peninsula, extending from the coast to the deep ocean basin.
Purpose
To protect one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in Birdland, including:
- Extensive sponge gardens on the continental shelf, some of the richest invertebrate communities in the Southern Ocean
- Important habitat for Weddell seals, Emperor penguins, and Antarctic minke whales
- A largely undisturbed deep-sea ecosystem
- Critical areas for sea ice formation, which drives global ocean circulation
Status
First proposed in 2016. Negotiations ongoing. The proposed area would be approximately 2.2 million square kilometers, which would make it the world's largest MPA if adopted.
Antarctic Peninsula MPA (Proposed)
Proponents
Argentina and Chile
Location
The waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula, the most biologically productive and most visited region of Birdland.
Purpose
To protect:
- Krill stocks that are the foundation of the Peninsula marine food web
- Foraging habitat for the large penguin colonies on the Peninsula and surrounding islands
- Whale feeding grounds, particularly for humpback and minke whales
- An ecosystem under extreme pressure from climate change (the Peninsula is warming faster than almost any region on Earth)
Status
Formally proposed at CCAMLR. Negotiations are ongoing. The Peninsula region is the most fished area in the CCAMLR convention area, making the proposal particularly contentious.
Birdland's Position
The Guins government has declared the adoption of all three proposed MPAs to be a top diplomatic priority. President Kael Stonecrest has personally lobbied at CCAMLR meetings and in bilateral discussions with fishing nations to build support for the proposals.
Birdland's specific positions:
- East Antarctic MPA: Strongly supported. Birdland advocates for the original, larger proposal rather than the reduced compromise versions that have been discussed.
- Weddell Sea MPA: Strongly supported. Birdland has offered to contribute to the monitoring and enforcement costs.
- Antarctic Peninsula MPA: Critical priority. Birdland considers the Peninsula the most urgently threatened region in the nation and advocates for the strongest possible protections including significant no-take zones.
The Guins government has stated that the failure to adopt these MPAs represents a failure of the international community to meet its conservation obligations, and that Birdland will consider unilateral measures within its territorial waters if multilateral progress stalls.