The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has announced the finalisation of its conservation agreement that will create a roadmap for establishing a representative system of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.

 

The agreement will see specific marine protected are proposals considered by the Commission over the next year.

 

Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, hailed the agreement as a major breakthrough.

 

"This is one of the most significant advances in the protection of oceans in Antarctica since the establishment of CCAMLR," Mr Burke said.

 

The general measure adopted will guide countries, including Australia, on the preparation of individual marine protected areas proposed for adoption by the Commission in 2012 and beyond.

 

These proposals have already been carefully considered by CCAMLR scientists over the past two years, and Australia, together with France, has already begun work towards establishing a representative system of marine protected areas in East Antarctica.