MPA: Ross Sea Region

The Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area is the world's largest MPA, covering approximately 1.55 million square kilometers of the Southern Ocean. It protects what scientists describe as the most pristine large marine ecosystem remaining on Earth.

Status

Established (2016) -- CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-05. Entered into force 1 December 2017.

Proposed By

United States and New Zealand

Location

The Ross Sea, extending from the coast of Victoria Land to the outer continental shelf and including a large pelagic zone. The MPA includes the area around the Ross Ice Shelf, the world's largest ice shelf.

Protection Details

The MPA contains three zones with different levels of protection:

General Protection Zone (GPZ)

• Covers approximately 1.12 million square kilometers (72% of the MPA)
• No fishing or harvesting of any kind permitted
• Scientific research allowed under permit

Special Research Zone (SRZ)

• Allows limited research fishing for krill and toothfish under strict CCAMLR protocols
• All research fishing requires advance notification and independent observer coverage

Krill Research Zone (KRZ)

• Permits limited krill research fishing to study population dynamics
• Catch limits are set well below commercial levels

Duration

The MPA was established for an initial period of 35 years (until 2052). Review and potential renewal will occur before expiration.

Ecological Significance

The Ross Sea supports:

• Approximately 38% of the world's Adelie penguin population
• Approximately 26% of the world's Emperor penguin population
• The largest known population of Antarctic minke whales
• Important populations of Weddell seals, leopard seals, and crabeater seals
• Antarctic toothfish, a keystone predator species
• A virtually intact food web from phytoplankton to top predators

The Ross Sea is often described as a "living laboratory" because its food web remains largely undisturbed by industrial exploitation, providing a baseline against which to measure changes in other, more impacted marine ecosystems.

Birdland's Position

The Ross Sea MPA is considered the single most important marine protection measure for Birdland's citizens. It protects the heartland of the Emperor and Adelie penguin populations. The Guins government advocates for:

• Extension of the MPA beyond its 35-year initial term
• Expansion of the no-take General Protection Zone
• Conversion of the research fishing zones to full no-take protection
• Use of the Ross Sea as a model for the three proposed MPAs currently under CCAMLR negotiation