This paper is submitted to the Third Special Meeting of the Commission on spatial planning and marine protected areas (CCAMLR–SM-III), which will be held in Santiago de Chile from 19 to 23 June, 2023.
This paper contains the proposed draft Conservation Measure establishing a Marine Protected Area in Domain 1 (Western Antarctic Peninsula and South Scotia Arc) as presented in the year 2022 (CCAMLR 41/34). In addition this paper contains an update in the background information supporting the proposal.
The revised version of the D1MPA proposal was presented in 2020, and addresses outstanding issues as raised by Members during the SC-CCAMLR 37 in 2018. The rationale underlying the modifications in the current D1MPA Model aimed to achieve conservation objectives agreed during the two CCAMLR International Workshops (2012 and 2015) while also seeking to adequately consider the krill fishery distribution (CCAMLR 39/BG/02). The proposal is further supported by the most updated available scientific information, and highlights the importance of the adoption of the D1MPA proposal given the ongoing environmental changes that continue stressing habitats and ecosystems (SC-CAMLR 41/BG/30).
Since the initial presentation of the proposal in 2018, both Argentina and Chile have been openly available to engage with interested Members so as to address any outstanding concerns. Both Members are nonetheless of the view that the proposal's solid scientific foundations are sufficient to present the proposal for the Commission's consideration in 2023.