The adoption of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the West Antarctic Peninsula (hereafter, D1MPA) can contribute towards the Convention’s objectives in (1) assisting in the revised krill fishery management strategy, and (2) providing climate change resilience and protection to marine biodiversity. In 2018 the CCAMLR Scientific Committee recommended for the first time the need to harmonize the D1MPA proposal with the new krill management strategy (SC-CAMLR-37, para. 3.30) and in the following years this has been mentioned in several discussions (SC-CAMLR-38, para. 2.1), especially during CCAMLR-41 (SC-CAMLR-41, para. 3.65).
The current context at CCAMLR is an outstanding opportunity to harmonize the D1MPA proposal and the krill management strategy, and both approaches could thrive by combining protection and rational use. The D1MPA would act as a mechanism based on the precautionary principle to safeguard marine ecosystems from unexpected consequences of climate change synergy with increased krill catch limits.
This document intended to reconcile D1MPA and the krill fishery in Domain 1. Through this exercise we express flexibility, and we encourage Members to do the same and compromise for the conservation of Domain 1 through a constructive and participative discussion.
Here, we highlight the main points included in the working paper submitted to EMM 2024 that provides details of an exercise to adjust General Protection Zones and introduce Seasonal Protection Zones, in order to harmonize the D1MPA and the fishery in Domain 1. It is worth noting that, the scenario shown here, does not necessarily represent a modification of D1MPA, but an opportunity to discuss potential scenarios of harmonisation among Members, and any change in the proposed MC will depend on the results of this Symposium.