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| Penguin is one of some species which inhabit in the Ross Sea, the marine protected area. Source: http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/131A1/production/_92114287_pmf_wellerpics_10_raw_km_rm_7035_483713-1.jpg |
Based
on an article posted by BBC with the same title on October 28, 2016
New Zealand and the US suggested a proposal of
making the Ross Sea in Antarctica as the world’s largest marine protected area
(MPA). This proposal emerged based on a consideration that the Ross Sea is the
natural habitat of the world’s Adelie penguins, Antarctic petrels, Antarctic
minke whales, and huge numbers of krill as the food for whales and seals. The
proposal urges that there be nothing to take from the marine protected area
especially marine life and minerals for 35 years. At first, China thought that
20 years was long enough to apply this proposal; nevertheless, plenty of
conservationists complained and stated that it was too short according to the
lifespan of creatures in the Ross Sea.
All members of Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), an organization of nations working
on Antarctic preservation, eventually approved this proposal after long
discussions and negotiations in a meeting in Hobart, Australia. Surprisingly,
Russia, which was against this proposal last year, finally agreed to make the
Ross Sea as the marine protected area (MPA). The postponement of this proposal
is because it might provoke other similar negotiations, for instance, in the
Arctic and the UN’s intention to create a new marine biodiversity treaty.
I think that the proposal approved by all nations in
CCAMLR to protect the Ross Sea is a good start to conserve other high seas. However,
words will remain words without any actions; a proposal will remain a proposal
as well if it does not come into force. We are merely able to expect that the
proposal can be conducted as soon as possible and that all nations have to put
aside their interests to save the earth and humankind.
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