Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
source
Name	Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
Founded	1978
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Focus	Environmental protection, Conservation movement
Method	Advocacy, Lobbying, Research
Website	asoc.org

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition is a prominent coalition of non-governmental organizations dedicated to the preservation of the Antarctic and its surrounding Southern Ocean. Founded in the late 1970s, it has played a pivotal role in shaping international environmental policy for the region, advocating for strong conservation measures within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System. The coalition is recognized for its scientific advocacy, campaigning for the establishment of marine protected areas, and its opposition to activities like commercial fishing and mineral exploitation in this fragile ecosystem.

History and formation

The coalition was formed in 1978 by a group of environmental organizations concerned about nascent discussions regarding potential mineral resource exploitation in Antarctica. Its founding was a direct response to negotiations within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that were considering a regulatory framework for such activities. Key early members included Friends of the Earth and other groups from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The coalition's early advocacy was instrumental in shifting the debate from resource management to comprehensive environmental protection, ultimately contributing to the negotiation and adoption of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1991, which banned mining.

Mission and objectives

The primary mission is to ensure the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic wilderness and the Southern Ocean's marine ecosystems. Core objectives include securing a robust network of marine protected areas through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, promoting the full implementation of the Madrid Protocol, and preventing damaging industrial activities such as expansive krill fishing. The coalition also works to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty System against geopolitical pressures and to champion the region as a natural reserve devoted to peace and scientific research.

Key campaigns and advocacy

A central and ongoing campaign has been the push for large-scale marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, particularly in the Ross Sea, East Antarctica, and the Antarctic Peninsula. The coalition played a significant role in the historic 2016 agreement, facilitated by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and supported by nations like the United States and New Zealand, that established the Ross Sea region MPA. Other major campaigns involve opposing destructive fishing practices, monitoring the impacts of climate change on ice sheets and wildlife, and advocating for stringent regulations on tourism and bioprospecting.

Organizational structure and membership

The coalition operates as a global partnership with a secretariat based in Washington, D.C.. It is governed by an executive committee and advised by a council of representatives from its member organizations, which number over 30 from around the world. Membership comprises a diverse array of international and national NGOs, including major groups like the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and regional bodies such as the Australian Conservation Foundation. This structure allows for coordinated global advocacy at forums like the United Nations and annual meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

Impact and recognition

The coalition's advocacy has had a profound impact on international environmental law and policy for Antarctica. Its work was crucial to the adoption of the Madrid Protocol and the creation of the Ross Sea MPA, one of the world's largest protected areas. The organization is widely regarded by governments, scientists within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and other bodies as a credible and influential voice. It regularly receives recognition through partnerships and is often cited in major reports by institutions like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regarding polar region conservation.

Category:Environmental organizations Category:Antarctica