When did the first major international agreement to protect the Antarctic marine ecosystem come into force?
Quick Answer
The Antarctic marine conservation convention was agreed in 1980 and entered into force in 1982. It was created to manage fishing in Southern Ocean waters.
The Full Story
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was agreed in 1980 and entered into force in 1982. It was designed to protect the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean, especially as commercial fishing expanded in the region. The convention used an ecosystem-based approach, aiming to manage not just species but the environment they depend on. This was notable because it treated the Antarctic marine system as interconnected and vulnerable. It remains one of the landmark agreements in ocean governance.
Key Facts
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