Uncertainty looms large over ocean sanctuary plans in Antarctica

The plans of Australia and France to make a huge ocean sanctuary in east Antarctica are now uncertain as the countries meet in Hobart to discuss the plans, with opposition from Russia and China. The proposed East Antarctic marine park would save one million square kilometres of the ocean. However, the proposal has repeatedly been struck down during the meetings of Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources that began on Monday.

Russia and China have been the major roadblocks in the plan which was initiated by Australia, France and the whole of European Union in the year 2010, and again in 2017 as an initiative to get maximum support. 

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CCAMLR to consider the proposal

For the creation of the park, consent of all 26 members of the organisation is required. The proposal is now back before CCAMLR which is taking place in Hobart, Australia for a duration of two weeks to discuss Antarctic conservation. The organization has earlier established other massive ocean Antarctic sanctuaries, including the world's largest spanning 1.55 million square kilometres in the Ross Sea. However, the governments and environmental groups insist that much more action needs to be taken to protect the last clean continent. 

Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley had assured that it would protect the region's "distinctive deep-water reefs and feeding areas for marine mammals".

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Reactions to the proposal

Cassandra Brooks, an assistant professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado while speaking to a news agency said that climate change has posed a major threat to the Antarctic region, and human intervention in the untouched area will require immediate action to protect the place. "There is so much definitive evidence now about climate change. About climate change effecting the poles, the ocean," she said was quoted saying by AFP.

Daniel Bray, a senior politics lecturer at La Trobe University said: "China is really crucial to getting this over the line,". He further added, "I think if China can come on board then Russia would be isolated and probably there would be a lot of pressure for them to agree as well or at least be a little more forthcoming about why they're opposing, because while they couch it in scientific terms it is generally for political reasons".

As the meeting will conclude on November 1, a decision is likely to be expected. 
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(With inputs from PTI)