At the meeting between 26 member countries, proposals to establish new marine protected areas and revise catch limits for krill are rejected, while existing krill management measures are rolled back. Australia says it's a 'backwards step', putting the Antarctic ecosystem at risk.
Chinese krill processing ship Shen Lan was photographed by marine campaigners with the Bob Brown Foundation and Sea Shepherd Global in Antarctica in 2023.Australia has described the outcome of a meeting between members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources as a "backwards step".Conservationists say member countries should regroup and figure out how to tackle Russia and China ahead of the next meeting in 2025.
China and Russia have been accused of blocking proposals relating to new marine protected areas in Antarctic waters, and changes to the krill fishery management plan.A spokesperson for the Australian Antarctic Division said the "most concerning" outcome from the meeting was "the failure of some members" to support the extension of existing krill management measures.
"Russia's interest in constructive global cooperation is zero, and China unfortunately also prioritises the short-term exploitation of marine resources, such as krill, over their long-term conservation," he said.Claire Christian, executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, said the meeting was "in many ways, a huge step backwards".
"Most delegations went into this meeting expecting to make progress on at least one of the current proposals for marine protected areas that are on the table."
CCAMLR1 Commission For The Conservation Of Antarctic Mari Imas Southern Ocean Marine Protected Area
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Federal government pledges $180m to restore Hobart port for Antarctic research vessel NuyinaHobart's status as the gateway to Antarctica has been secured after the federal government agreed to fund a new home port for Australia's icebreaker, but the Tasmanian government will be on the hook for the cost of a refuelling solution — something which has been a problem of late.
Read more »
Russia and China accused of blocking Asean statement due to dispute over South China SeaRussian foreign minister says final declaration not adopted because of attempts by US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and NZ ‘to turn it into a purely political statement’
Read more »
Ukraine war briefing: US sanctions China firms over ‘complete attack drones made for Russia’First ever action over a ready-to-use weapons system made in China rather than parts for Russia to build one, says Washington; Zelenskiy touts victory plan. What we know on day 968
Read more »
BBC World Service retreat ‘helping Russia and China push propaganda’BBC director-general Tim Davie to warn world facing ‘all-out assault on truth’ as state-funded media operators broadcast unchallenged
Read more »
Turkey attempts to broker power between east and west as it bids to join BricsTurkey is juggling alliances within Nato and potentially with Russia and China.
Read more »
Bottled up in the Black Sea: Russia is having a dreadful naval war, hindering its great power ambitionsRussia is becoming more reliant on naval support from China, limiting Moscow’s sea-power reach.
Read more »