World's largest marine protected area declared in Antarctica read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1443-world-s-largest-marine-protected-area-declared-in-antarctica

The world’s largest marine reserve aimed at protecting the pristine wilderness of Antarctica will be created after agreement was finally reached on Friday with Russia dropping its long-held opposition.

The European Union and 24 countries reached an agreement to establish the world's largest marine sanctuary in Antarctica's Ross Sea. 

The deal, sealed by the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at an annual meeting in Hobart after years of negotiations.

 

[ Image Source: BBC ]

The proposal, introduced by New Zealand and the US, and accepted by all the other nations, will see a general protection "no-take" zone where nothing can be removed including marine life and minerals.

The marine protected area covers 1.6 million square kilometers, of which 1.12 million square kilometres will be a no fishing zone.  In the remaining ocean zones, some commercial fishing will be allowed. 

The agreement will take effect from December 2017 and, for most of the reserve, will last an initial 35 years.