TOWARDS A SYSTEM OF MARINE SPATIAL PROTECTION FOR THE SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS

The region surrounding the South Orkney Islands has been identified by CCAMLR as one of 11 priority areas in which work to establish spatial protection should be focused (CCAMLR-XXVII Report, para 7.2). In 2008, a pilot study undertaken for this region demonstrated that a systematic conservation planning methodology could be effectively used with currently available datasets to provide decision-support for developing marine spatial protection. This paper describes further work undertaken following the pilot study, with the aim of generating products that can be used to inform decision-making on marine spatial protection for the South Orkney Islands region. It concludes that the method outlined in the 2008 pilot study is appropriate for more detailed planning. It goes on to highlight geographic areas that might form the basis of further work, emphasising a number of questions that will help progress the work further. Following further consultation with interested parties and relevant stakeholders, we consider that work will be sufficiently well advanced to submit a preliminary proposal to SC-CAMLR-XXVIII, describing a package of marine spatial protection and management measures that could be considered for implementation in Subarea 48.2. Such measures could include any of the range of tools available under the Antarctic Treaty System. WG-EMM-09/09 describes how these tools can be applied to achieve different conservation objectives. This paper outlines 5 questions to be considered by WG-EMM, to progress the identification of candidate areas for spatial protection and management.