I wanted to celebrate the largest oceanic area in the world in Antarctica. Norway, Russia and China voted no

It is Germany that has suggested that seals, whales, penguins and other marine creatures and fish grow peacefully in the Antarctic Weddell Sea.

The EU supported the proposal, which has now been discussed by the CCAMLR Commission for the Conservation of Living Marine Resources in Antarctica. If this area were protected, it would be the largest marine conservation area in the world.

Against

In total, the sea represents about 1.8 million square kilometers, which would be a safe place to live for one of the richest wildlife species in the world.

The theme was fiercely discussed in Dagbladet, where the UD and Greenpeace took the match in chronological form.

The CAMLR Commission met in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The result is disappointing for the environmentalists involved in this case, but potentially good news for the fishing industry.

All 22 Member States had to vote for the proposal to pass it. The proposal was grouped by Russia, China and Norway. China and Russia voted blank no. During the negotiations, Norway proposed dividing the area into two.

Activists rage

The fishing industry is a key issue in the negotiations. There are krill fishermen, Antarctic dental fish, Patagonian toothfish and mackerel in the area. According to the NRK, in the proposal for Germany, commercial fishing would pose a major threat to the some 14,000 species of vulnerable animals living in the sea of ​​weddings.

"It is our historic task to preserve the unique ecosystems of Antarctica," says the proposal.

– Instead of discussing evidence-based research, delegations – such as China and Russia – used training, sabotage and balancing tactics in the negotiations. Thus, there was almost no time left for an appropriate discussion on the protection of Antarctica, threatening Greenpeace activist Frida Bengtsson – active in the organization's long-term anti-Arctic campaign against The Independent.

– Supports the protection zone

In a commentary, Audun Halvorsen, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, writes:

"It does not matter if Norway blocks protection in the South Sea, on the contrary, Norway supports the creation of a marine conservation area in the Weddell Sea and marine conservation areas in Antarctica in general. Such guarantees are scientifically justified, so that they contribute to the sustainable management and long-term protection of vulnerable ecosystems Norway has a long tradition of developing good solutions in international cooperation on Antarctica.

And further:

– During the year meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR), it became clear that the initial EU proposals for the Weddell Sea could not lead to a consensus. Norway then made a proposal that added protection measures in the western parts of the proposed area could be adopted now, while parties could work to take protective measures in the eastern part of the proposed area, writes Halvorsen. , and continues:

"Norway's proposal is based on clear advice from the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Polar Institute and has been welcomed by a single commission, Norway will work closely with the EU. , Germany and other CCAMLR stakeholders to reach a consensus on the establishment of marine conservation areas in the Weddell Sea in a few years.

– Historic opportunity

According to Greenpeace, only about 10% of the world's marine areas are protected today.

"Researchers believe that to achieve this goal, we need to protect 30% of the world's oceans – a historic opportunity to create the world's largest protected area – to protect wildlife, combat climate change and 22 delegations came to discuss it, but everything was destroyed by information that has virtually no contact with research, said Bengtsson.

It is Russia that has sat with the leaders of CCAMLR.

"While Russia was in charge of leadership, the Commission learned to protect Rosshavet [et annet hav i Antarktis]. Nevertheless, Russia now chooses to respect only the interests of a small fishing sector, instead of allowing the Commission to fulfill its mandate, told The Independent, the Greenpeace employee researcher, Laura Meller.