WWF Calls for Protected Areas for Antarctica

Large parts of the oceans around Antarctica should be turned into marine reserves to protect the rapidly declining biodiversity on the continent, according to an environmental charity.

At a meeting today, WWF will call on diplomats, environmentalists and scientists to support their plan to identify and designate a network of protected marine reserves to safeguard Antarctica and its surroundings, which occupy some 40% of the world's surface.

The wildlife charity says the protected areas are needed to help unique populations of fish, seabirds and marine animals including whales, seals, albatrosses, and penguins. Constance Johnson, WWF Antarctic and Southern Ocean initiative manager, said: "WWF is calling for an ecologically representative network of marine protected areas covering at least 10% of the 35m sq km Southern Ocean by 2012.

"Creating a network of marine protected areas will help reduce the impact of other pressures in the region, such as fisheries and tourism, helping to sustain a healthier marine environment which is better able to adapt to rising temperatures."

Antarctica is widely regarded by scientists as the first place that will see big impacts from global warming. In the past 50 years, the Antarctic Peninsula has seen some of the greatest temperature changes on the planet, having warmed in some places by 3C. The change has had an adverse effect on wildlife, which is already under threat from invasive, non-native species such as rats, mice and rabbits, brought to the continent by humans.

Scientists have already noticed a decline in rock hopper, chinstrap, and adelie penguin populations due to a reduction in sea ice. Krill, the foundation of the Antarctic food chain, are also facing a huge reduction in numbers, putting the entire marine ecosystem at risk.