Evaluating MPA scenarios in Planning Domain 1 using a dynamic food-web model

We describe a spatially and temporally dynamic food-web model of the region surrounding the Western Antarctic Peninsula that can be used to evaluate the potential impacts of various marine protected area (MPA) scenarios. We evaluate four MPA scenarios, including two representing portions of the General Protection Zone presented by the Delegations of Argentina and Chile (SC-CAMLR- XXXVI/18). Our results indicate that protecting regions where krill are anticipated to concentrate in the future could positively affect biomass accumulation of krill and some krill predators. Additionally, protecting areas around Elephant Island seems to benefit chinstrap penguins. We conclude that the most southern areas proposed for protection might positively impact the biomass of krill and krill predators. Protection of these southern areas may be particularly important for ensuring a positive outcome from the D1MPA.