Goal: Improve the management of the 2.06 million km² Ross Sea marine protected area (MPA) by establishing the first independent, international research coordination body dedicated to strengthening high seas MPA management

The Alliance is exploring partners to lead this effort, with the aim of creating an independent, objective entity that is collaborative, based on the best available science, and free from political influence.

The Ross Sea region MPA is the world’s largest protected area and is widely considered as the crown jewel of the Southern Ocean. Its icy waters support a vibrant and highly productive ecosystem, home to several species of whales, penguins, seals, and rich benthic ecosystems packed with dense cold-water corals. This living laboratory plays a critical role in understanding and differentiating climate change’s cumulative impacts from industrial fishing and the benefits of protected areas in creating ecosystem resilience to environmental threats.   

In 2016, the Ross Sea region MPA was established by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). This landmark decision transcended global geopolitical tensions for the sake of protecting the rich biodiversity of this near pristine marine ecosystem.  

Widely hailed as an example of successful international cooperation, a major concession in the designation of this MPA included a 35-year sunset clause. The MPA will expire in 2053 without consensus from all member governments to extend these protections. Now, the urgency lies in strengthening systems to prioritize research activities that effectively evaluate the MPA against its conservation objectives.   

The Blue Nature Alliance is working with partners to identify funding pathways and combine financial strategies to support both short-term and long-term research and monitoring needs. The successful development of a model for supporting implementation of the Ross Sea region MPA will provide an example for managing new MPAs in the region.