An end to toothfish fishing in the Ross Sea is unlikely despite three vessels being wrecked there during the past two years.
The Jeong Woo 2, which caught fire in the near-freezing Antarctic sea on January 11, has brought the continued exploitation of the dangerous sea back to public attention.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working on a proposal to create a marine protected area in the Ross Sea, but it would not restrict access to the entire sea.
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which monitors fishing below 60 degrees south, said the proposal would be considered at its next meeting, in October.
An MFAT spokesman said New Zealand’s proposed protected area had not yet been considered by the Cabinet.
“The New Zealand scenario covers nearly 2.5 million square kilometres, an area three times the size of New Zealand. If adopted by CCAMLR, it would be one of the largest high seas MPAs (marine protected area) ever agreed.”
Click here to read the full story from The Southland Times >
